mgdimo Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 I would welcome any recommendations or insight as to your personal experiences with a BattBox or PreAmp. I assume these are both the same device? Although my Radio Shack Volume Attenuator is serving its purpose well, I know my recording needs are going to soon exceed its limitations. Two very informed community members comment on that here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=7106 I will very soon be aiming for pristine quality recordings of my not-so-quiet progressive rock band....perhaps even worthy of a live album. Stealth is not necessarily a concern although I don't want my rig to get too bulky or awkward. Who knows, I may want to make a stealth recording some day anyway. Top quality sound, no distortion, no hiss, no clipping, etc are what I'm after. Good battery life too, I suppose. What experiences have any of you had with any of these: http://www.minidisco.com/mic-preamps-and-b...ry-modules.html ...or anything comparable? Many thanks. GREG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted December 19, 2004 Report Share Posted December 19, 2004 A battery box is not a preamp, though they can be combined. Here's some info: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/...gory=batteryfaq Those battery boxes and preamps are about the size of your MD player. Personally, for live music recordings I've had no need for a preamp, but I don't know what I may have been missing. If you're seeking pro-quality sound, it's probably worth the extra $100 for you to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgdimo Posted December 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 So, suffice it to say, I should get a preamp? It seems like a preamp can function like a battery box when one wants it too. Then, what I'm looking for is people's SPECIFIC experiences with their preamps. Any suggestions, recommendations or warnings would be appreciated. Thanks. BTW, seems more like a $200 investment from my POV. So I want to make a choice I can live with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermy Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Hey mgdimo, A pleasure to talk to you again!! I have a battery box, and though my experience is limited, the results are outstanding!! I've read the link to the Sound Professionals website above before I made my purchase and decided on the battery box because I would be recording in loud to VERY loud settings. I don't have experience with a pre-amp other than the built-in one on the MZ-NH900, which is IMHO very noisy. Since your situation seems close to mine, and perhaps even louder, I'd personally go with a battery box. Maybe get one with level adjusters as well. Hope this helps!! Sherm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermy Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Sorry, I double posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 26, 2004 Report Share Posted December 26, 2004 I have really been putting some thought into trying a new rig (can't leave good enough alone). Right now I use the AT822 powered stereo mic and I go line in with very good results. Anybody have thoughts as to what the benefits would be to use some Auri type mics with an adjustable preamp like the Boost box instead of the AT822 solo? I usually have good results normalizing the files after transfer to get a very good sound level. Would that be the only benefit, a track with a higher level? Also, wondering how I would set the line in level on my NH900, if I had a preamp between the MD and the mics. Would I set it at 15/30 and adjust on the preamp first or go 30/30 first and then adjust down? With the AT822 going line in, I just keep it at 30/30. Just thinking about tax return time and what I might be able to spend without getting too much flack from the spouse. I should say that I am more interested in your opinion regarding the difference between a mic like the AT822 vs stereo minis and a preamp. I have really had good results with the AT822 and I am just exploring possible upgrades in the $400 range. Happy Holidays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obsideo Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 *bump*I'm also interested in anyone's experience with Reactive's Boost Box, particularly, or other true gain based batt boxes. Can I expect a vast difference in headroom by investing in one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgdimo Posted January 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 Seems to me that far fewer folks in these MDCF than I imagined actually make use of a separate batt box or preamp. Either you just go mic in or your mic itself is powered? If this is true, my threadmates, I guess WE are the ones who'll have to report on our experiences with such devices. Frontiersmen, eigh? Unless there are any lurkers who care to weigh in on this topic? GREG P.S. I still haven't decided what to buy yet. My $150 continues to sit amongst my socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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