Question about trying to track a blasting amp (pad question).

t56tr · 18th May 2008

We are trying to track some gtrs with an 003 rack, a jcm 900, and a 57. Pre is a Chameleon labs 7602. Problem is, cant seem to get the gain of the pre to even 20 before it starts to seriously overload the in on the 003 (everythings at +4). With the gain on the pre that low it doesnt seem to have much punch or character.

Someone suggested padding the output of the pre with an atty etc. We dont have an atty but we do have a aphex 661 comp in the rack. Aftrer a little tweaking on the 661 it seems that we can make it act as an attenuator. I think we turned the threshold all the way up so that the compressor would not kick in, then just used the input and output knobs to attenuate (dont want to print or use any comp on the gtrs). Then we could crank the pre more (maybe 35-40) and the gtrs seemed to come to life.

Questions are...

Can the 003 converters be calibrated?

Is something wrong right from the start with the 7602 hitting the 003 that hard at such a low gain level (20db)?

Is it cool to use the comp as a pad like that or is it still worth dropping a $100 on an atty etc?

Can an experienced person comment on what type of gain settings are used on pres when mic'ing a blasting marshall etc?

Thanks in advance

Tomer1 · 18th May 2008

Did you try to use the Pre's built in attenuator? (Output knob)

RobML · 18th May 2008

sounds like you are overdriving the pre by pushing it into line mode sensitivity. would suggest turning down the output knob or using a pad on the 57 if you like the overdriven sound of the 7602.

dont quote me.

cheers

t56tr · 18th May 2008

If I remember correctly the output knob had to be at like 9-10 oclock (like 75% back from wide open). Will be doing some stuff today and will double check/try it again.

t56tr · 19th May 2008

After checking everything today and playing around I discovered that all I needed to do was back the mic off the speaker a wee bit (we had no grill cloth on and had it in the cone practically) and fiddle with the 7602 output as suggested by the posts. Bam it worked! Started gettin some cool sounds with the gain up a bit. FYI as a quick experiment we compared the 661 attenuated track to an identical track padded with the 7602 output (no 661 in the chain) and they were extremely close but the 7602 sounded a bit fuller kinda.

Thanks for the info

Evanskyler · 20th May 2008

Try Black Lion Audio they can upgrade and recalubrate your conveters. Black Lion Audio Home

18th May 2008	#1
t56tr Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 54 Thread Starter	Question about trying to track a blasting amp (pad question). We are trying to track some gtrs with an 003 rack, a jcm 900, and a 57. Pre is a Chameleon labs 7602. Problem is, cant seem to get the gain of the pre to even 20 before it starts to seriously overload the in on the 003 (everythings at +4). With the gain on the pre that low it doesnt seem to have much punch or character. Someone suggested padding the output of the pre with an atty etc. We dont have an atty but we do have a aphex 661 comp in the rack. Aftrer a little tweaking on the 661 it seems that we can make it act as an attenuator. I think we turned the threshold all the way up so that the compressor would not kick in, then just used the input and output knobs to attenuate (dont want to print or use any comp on the gtrs). Then we could crank the pre more (maybe 35-40) and the gtrs seemed to come to life. Questions are... Can the 003 converters be calibrated? Is something wrong right from the start with the 7602 hitting the 003 that hard at such a low gain level (20db)? Is it cool to use the comp as a pad like that or is it still worth dropping a $100 on an atty etc? Can an experienced person comment on what type of gain settings are used on pres when mic'ing a blasting marshall etc? Thanks in advance

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18th May 2008	#2
Tomer1 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Haifa,Israel Posts: 1,282	Did you try to use the Pre's built in attenuator? (Output knob)

18th May 2008	#3
RobML Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 34	sounds like you are overdriving the pre by pushing it into line mode sensitivity. would suggest turning down the output knob or using a pad on the 57 if you like the overdriven sound of the 7602. dont quote me. cheers

19th May 2008	#5
t56tr Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 54 Thread Starter	After checking everything today and playing around I discovered that all I needed to do was back the mic off the speaker a wee bit (we had no grill cloth on and had it in the cone practically) and fiddle with the 7602 output as suggested by the posts. Bam it worked! Started gettin some cool sounds with the gain up a bit. FYI as a quick experiment we compared the 661 attenuated track to an identical track padded with the 7602 output (no 661 in the chain) and they were extremely close but the 7602 sounded a bit fuller kinda. Thanks for the info

20th May 2008	#6
Evanskyler Gear nut Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 127	Try Black Lion Audio they can upgrade and recalubrate your conveters. Black Lion Audio Home