Coleman Audio VU Meters for Monitoring Tape Machine

RedWallStudio · 30th September 2011

My MCI Tape Machine is in a machine closet and is not within line of site to my console and mic pre's. So when I'm tracking (particularly drums), I spend a lot of time running back and forth between the tape machine and making adjustments on the Mic Pre's. Or I have to utilize another person to keep an eye on the VU's and make sure I'm not slamming the tape. I've recently seen these rack mountable VU's from Coleman Audio though...

Coleman Audio

What I was thinking of doing was getting a rack of 8 of them and put them in my control room. Then I would patch my signal path through these prior to going to my tape machine. (Source > Mic > Mic Pre > Coleman VU > Tape Machine > Console)

So my question is if anyone sees anything wrong with this idea. The VU's can be calibrated, so logic tells me I can adjust them to match my tape machine. Does this make sense and sound doable? If so, would it make more sense to put the VU's in front of the tape machine or after? Advice?

bwrecordings · 1st October 2011

It is totally doable and the Coleman stuff is transparent as you could ever want but a ten dollar camera and a cheap flat screen is alot cheaper and easier and it won't effect the signal if your cables **** up.

vintagelove · 1st October 2011

ding ding u r correct sir

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwrecordings

It is totally doable and the Coleman stuff is transparent as you could ever want but a ten dollar camera and a cheap flat screen is alot cheaper and easier and it won't effect the signal if your cables **** up.

30th September 2011	#1
RedWallStudio Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 974 Thread Starter	Coleman Audio VU Meters for Monitoring Tape Machine My MCI Tape Machine is in a machine closet and is not within line of site to my console and mic pre's. So when I'm tracking (particularly drums), I spend a lot of time running back and forth between the tape machine and making adjustments on the Mic Pre's. Or I have to utilize another person to keep an eye on the VU's and make sure I'm not slamming the tape. I've recently seen these rack mountable VU's from Coleman Audio though... Coleman Audio What I was thinking of doing was getting a rack of 8 of them and put them in my control room. Then I would patch my signal path through these prior to going to my tape machine. (Source > Mic > Mic Pre > Coleman VU > Tape Machine > Console) So my question is if anyone sees anything wrong with this idea. The VU's can be calibrated, so logic tells me I can adjust them to match my tape machine. Does this make sense and sound doable? If so, would it make more sense to put the VU's in front of the tape machine or after? Advice? __________________ "I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." Stephen Bishop

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1st October 2011	#2
bwrecordings Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 690	It is totally doable and the Coleman stuff is transparent as you could ever want but a ten dollar camera and a cheap flat screen is alot cheaper and easier and it won't effect the signal if your cables **** up.