DS800 live recording help!

J.S.Vega III · 6th August 2010

Hi guys

Quick question, edited down from previous very long question!

Are the outputs of this unit mic or line level, or both/switchable? I checked the manual but it's not very clear.

I am about to rent a few of these for a live recording so I need to know in advance.

Cheers!

J.S.Vega III · 8th August 2010

http://www.xta.uk.com/products-ds800.html

OK so it says it has two sets of transformer balanced outputs @ -10dB and two actively balanced outputs.

No idea really what the difference is between the two or why it should have a consumer level output. Seems a bit strange it wouldn't be +4 dBu.

Anyway it seems it's line level so I'll get my XLR - TRS cables made up and assume it's all gonna be ok!

J.S.Vega III · 10th August 2010

Steve Remote, I had the impression you've used these boxes, or currently have them in your rack? Could you offer any advice? I'm worried the output will be too hot for the FOH mic pres. Should I get a load of xlr-trs adapters for the FOH desk so they can input into a line in?

Thanks

Martin

**Remoteness** · 10th August 2010

Your impression is correct.
We have 160 channels of DS800s in various sizes and channel counts.

These are active mic/line distribution amplifiers that also act as splitters.
You don't need any XLR/TRS adaptors and they play nice with all FOH console preamplifiers.

The input of the DS800 has a mic and line switch.
When it's switched to line the input is padded by 20dB and the input impedance changes to >10k Ohms.

The input gain switch sets the channel gain to +10dB, +20dB, +30dB, +40dB or +50dB. (we happened to modify some of our DS800s and removed the those resistive network switches and replaced them with single turn 10k pots, but that's another story all together.)

You also have a -10dB pad when the DS800 detects 48 volt phantom power on the monitor output XLR.

Just to be crystal clear about this matter; we use these units a lot and have fed FOH console with no problems at all.

I trust this has helped; let me know if you have any additional questions or thoughts.

6th August 2010	#1
J.S.Vega III Gear addict Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Beijing, China Posts: 449 Thread Starter 1 Review written	DS800 live recording help! Hi guys Quick question, edited down from previous very long question! Are the outputs of this unit mic or line level, or both/switchable? I checked the manual but it's not very clear. I am about to rent a few of these for a live recording so I need to know in advance. Cheers! __________________ www.martinrawlins.net

10th August 2010	#4
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	DS800s do get along with FOH mic pre inputs. Your impression is correct. We have 160 channels of DS800s in various sizes and channel counts. These are active mic/line distribution amplifiers that also act as splitters. You don't need any XLR/TRS adaptors and they play nice with all FOH console preamplifiers. The input of the DS800 has a mic and line switch. When it's switched to line the input is padded by 20dB and the input impedance changes to >10k Ohms. The input gain switch sets the channel gain to +10dB, +20dB, +30dB, +40dB or +50dB. (we happened to modify some of our DS800s and removed the those resistive network switches and replaced them with single turn 10k pots, but that's another story all together.) You also have a -10dB pad when the DS800 detects 48 volt phantom power on the monitor output XLR. Just to be crystal clear about this matter; we use these units a lot and have fed FOH console with no problems at all. I trust this has helped; let me know if you have any additional questions or thoughts. __________________ Steve Remote AuraSonicLtd.com the home of ASL Mobile & Location Production Remoteness on the Linkedin Network What about my Facebook Profile? Remoteness on Myspace

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8th August 2010	#2
J.S.Vega III Gear addict Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Beijing, China Posts: 449 Thread Starter 1 Review written	http://www.xta.uk.com/products-ds800.html OK so it says it has two sets of transformer balanced outputs @ -10dB and two actively balanced outputs. No idea really what the difference is between the two or why it should have a consumer level output. Seems a bit strange it wouldn't be +4 dBu. Anyway it seems it's line level so I'll get my XLR - TRS cables made up and assume it's all gonna be ok!