Vintech x73i questions

[qazqaz]

Hi!
Just bought the the Vintech x73i. And discovered that it didnt come with a manual(is that a joke?!)

And Im wondering about three things maybe someone could help me with.
Most importantly, the outputs on the back, are anyone of those two line level?

How do you use the line(in) mic(out) button?

How do you read the knob to the far left that has two circles of numbers in a mess and says LINE at one place and OFF at one place?

Grateful for answer!

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by qazqaz

Hi!
Just bought the the Vintech x73i. And discovered that it didnt come with a manual(is that a joke?!)

And Im wondering about three things maybe someone could help me with.
Most importantly, the outputs on the back, are anyone of those two line level?

How do you use the line(in) mic(out) button?

How do you read the knob to the far left that has two circles of numbers in a mess and says LINE at one place and OFF at one place?

Grateful for answer!

Maybe try the Vintech website and see if they have a PDF manuel.

-andrews

[qazqaz]

Nope, already looked there, nothing, they dont even have specs for their products.. (!!)

[DivineMusic]

the x73i has no manual....
doesnt really need one since its rather simple to setup and its just a 1073 clone...

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by qazqaz

Hi!
Just bought the the Vintech x73i. And discovered that it didnt come with a manual(is that a joke?!)

And Im wondering about three things maybe someone could help me with.
Most importantly, the outputs on the back, are anyone of those two line level?

How do you use the line(in) mic(out) button?

How do you read the knob to the far left that has two circles of numbers in a mess and says LINE at one place and OFF at one place?

Grateful for answer!

Both outputs are line level.....remember, this is a pre-amp, so it amplifies to line level (like every pre-amp does). The difference is one is balanced, the other output isn't.

The mic/line button switches between the 2 inputs on the back (mic in, line in).

The gain knob (far left red knob)> 'Off' is exactly that, it's off. The inner circle of #'s are approximate gain #'s for the mic input, the outer circle that says 'Line' are the approx gain #'s for a line level source.

I'm surprised you didn't ask about the impedance button....

[Soldier777c]

Originally Posted by qazqaz

Hi!
Just bought the the Vintech x73i. And discovered that it didnt come with a manual(is that a joke?!)

And Im wondering about three things maybe someone could help me with.
Most importantly, the outputs on the back, are anyone of those two line level?

How do you use the line(in) mic(out) button?

How do you read the knob to the far left that has two circles of numbers in a mess and says LINE at one place and OFF at one place?

Grateful for answer!

Both of the outputs on the back are line levels, one is an XLR and the other a 1/4". Balanced and unbalanced.

The Line / Mic button switches the input. If that button is out, the unit is utilizing the mic input on the back and the mic pre, if it is in it switches to the line input.

The red knob on the far left is the main gain knob for either the pre or the line level. The word "Line" has no significance . . . it's not a setting. "Off" is a setting, if you have the knob set there it will in essence mute the input. You can either gain above or below the "off" setting to set your mic or line level as desired.


Hope that helps.

[slapswan]

Hello Gazgaz,

Originally Posted by qazqaz

Most importantly, the outputs on the back, are anyone of those two line level?

On the x73i both outputs are line level.

Originally Posted by qazqaz

How do you use the line(in) mic(out) button?

If you have a line level signal plugged into the Line input of the unit, you would want to the button pushed in. If you had a mic plugged into the Microphone input, you would want it in the out position.

Originally Posted by qazqaz

How do you read the knob to the far left that has two circles of numbers in a mess and says LINE at one place and OFF at one place?

This is the gain selector. You would use this to choose how much gain to apply to your signal.

[apeak]

Hey qazqaz,

I purchased an X73 in 2003 and was in the same boat. I didn't really need the owners manual but I thought it would be nice to have if I ever decided to sell it (I still own and use it, by the way). At that time, I called Vintech and spoke to Dallas Upton. He told me that they intended writing one, but I never followed up.

FWIW, here is a bit of advice he included in one of his emails to me:

Please give me a call at 813-657-5359 and we'll get you a warrantee statement and opertational advice for the unit. Basically, all you need to know is to run the unit with the output gain turned all the way up (in general) and to set your levels with the input attenuator. You can then back down your output a little if you find it necessary.

[qazqaz]

Originally Posted by Fleaman

I'm surprised you didn't ask about the impedance button....

I found a couple of quotes already about that! :)

-------------------------------
-- The X73i (yes the less expensive unit) has impedance switching
(300 or 1200 ohms), the X73 is set permanently @ 1200ohms. 1200
ohms sounds more open and airy in general, 300 ohms sounds more
focused and thicker.


--The X73i couples well with condensers, ribbons, and dynamics. In
general, the 300 ohms will give you a louder sound with all types of
mics. The 300 ohms tends to emphasize the high-mids and the lows. The
1200 ohms setting is slightly quieter, slightly flatter in the mids
and lows, and has an airier top.
--------------------------------

[squeegybug]

Also, note that the polarity/phase switch should be to the right for normal. Most pics I see of this unit in folk's racks have it reversed.

Interesting that Vintech threads are now being moved to 'Low End Theory'....

Steve

[juniorhifikit]

Beware: on one of mine, the polarity button was backwards

[qazqaz]

Thanx so much guys for all the answers! Really helped!

Originally Posted by Fleaman

Both outputs are line level.....remember, this is a pre-amp, so it amplifies to line level (like every pre-amp does).

Not true. On SOLO-610 (universal audio)for example you have the option to have a line signal out or a mic signal out(if you want the signal to go on to a mixer for example) Thats why I figured maybe the mic/line button had something to do with that.

Originally Posted by DivineMusic

the x73i has no manual....
doesnt really need one since its rather simple to setup

Not for a dummie like me.. How are you supposed to know which one of the outputs are balanced when its printed right between the two outputs? One then assumes both of the are balanced. And the red knob on the x73i at least doesnt look like the Neve1073.

Thinking out loud: I think manufaturers of music equipment has to realize that they are starting to really have a large customer group who record their own music at home, that have no proffesional training and thus dont know "self-explanatory" things or terms that audio engineers know. Therefor its important that they explain their products in a simple way to this customer group. Universal Audio is a prime example, with their product you get a simple lay out over the products and what settings that would apply under normal circumstances and if you go their website you find pictures and tips for each product. Nothing fancy but very useful. Since people who record at home them selves have to worry about every part of the recording process PLUS the music they want to record they want to spend as little time as possible worring about wheter something is in or out of phase etc. They worry about that bridge or the harmonies in the chorus and every unnecessary trouble that pops up cause manufactors cant make userfriendly interfaces or easy to use products are just more energy taken away from recording. In a real studio its different where many times you have an engineer that likes tinkering with those technical problems.

Peace!

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by qazqaz

Not true. On SOLO-610 (universal audio)for example you have the option to have a line signal out or a mic signal out(if you want the signal to go on to a mixer for example) Thats why I figured maybe the mic/line button had something to do with that.

That's strange! Not really sure the point of that feature. It has to be the only pre amp that has it.

As to manufactures and manuals> The X73i considered high-end, a clone of a high end channel strip used in pro-studios. It is pretty straight forward. Once you have a bit more time under your belt, you will see that. You are right about complete newbies now buying higher end products now. And it does appear that the higher end gear seems to have pretty small non-informative manuals, as they are assuming a knowledgeable customer base. Maybe Vintechs non-manual policy is an attempt to make their product more high end

Also, the XLR output (the visible 3 pins) are always balanced.

As to why this thread moved to the low end theory? Yeah, a bit strange, but maybe it was just a low-end question that made them move it

[Soldier777c]

Originally Posted by juniorhifikit

Beware: on one of mine, the polarity button was backwards

Wow, that must have sucked . . . you'd have to open up the unit and reach inside just to be able to press that button.

[qazqaz]

Originally Posted by Fleaman

And it does appear that the higher end gear seems to have pretty small non-informative manuals, as they are assuming a knowledgeable customer base. Maybe Vintechs non-manual policy is an attempt to make their product more high end

Lol

[JPeters86]

I wish I had an x73i.

[qazqaz]

Got an informative mail from Vintech, for example I learned that the instrument input on the front is not for guitars or bass..:

Hi,
Sorry about the lack of a manual for the unit. We do include one sheet of information that deals with a couple of topics, but we should include more info.
As for the xlr inputs, one is line level and the other is mic level. They should be marked as such.
The black push buttons on the front should both be pushed in when using the line level xlr input in the back.
The red knob on the left of the unit has two sets of numbers, the outer set of numbers correspond to the levels when one is using the "line" level input in the back of the unit. The inner set of numbers are to be used when one is using the "mic" level input in the back.
When using the "instrument" input on the front of the unit, leave both black push buttons in the "out" position. The "instrument" input is not very high impedance and should be used mostly for keyboards and other sources that have more of a line level strength output. If you want to plug a guitar or bass into the unit, I would suggest you use an outboard d.i. and go into the "mic" level xlr input in the back of the unit.
----------------

This turned out to be a nice little thread for new Vintech x73i owners.
Peace!