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Craig · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: Symetrix mic line switch

What are the pro's and con's of doing this on my 528e or leaving it as I have it?

http://tinyurl.com/6da8yh (From the Symetrix site.)

My usual setup is mic-528e- UA-25-computer.

If I turn the output to mic line level then I would be using the ua-25's pre and not the 528's right? However, I would be amplifying the processed (if I used any) signal. Is this good or bad? Could I still use the expander/compressor, EQ, etc this way?

In a recent post I said I like the sound of the UA-25 pre over that of the 528, but I do miss the downward expander.

Craig
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Craig · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

Fixed the url...sorry 'bout that.
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:24 am Post subject:

You still are running through two mic preamps this way, so just adding another layer of noise. But, if the end result just sounds better, then go with it.
The Symetrix is still amplifying the signal first before it goes through the rest of the "processors" like the EQ and compressor. Unless you had an audio interface that has "insert" jacks, you can't really do what you'd like.
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Edo · Guest

The proposed setup leaves you with actually TWO pre sections in the same chain. I would agree with soundgun that it's likely to cause more noise. You could try to find out whether you can imitate the 528's internal chain by using the unprocessed sound of your UA-25 and a noisegate plug-in. If so, you'd probably be wiser to eliminate the Symetrix from your entire chain. I also want to lightly touch the subject of a Symetrix engineer who once told me that they found a major design flaw in the 528e's circuits, causing lots of noise and even some artifacts in the lower parts of the frequency spectrum. After that comment I tried 3 different 528e's and two (original) 528's (without the 'e') and found the 528 a better sounding route for some of the things I do. Does this prove anything at all? No... it just worked better for me. Maybe it's just me, but I never trusted 528e's since...for I was actually able to reproduce what the engineer told me. The 628 series (discontinued) seemed to have similar 'problems' when used in a broadcasting environment such as in between mics and live radio consoles for instance. The signal just never was silent/clean... but then again, no Symetrix unit ever is and in hitradio you do want some aggressive (controlled) distortion, especially when using dynamic microphones such as a Sure SM-7 or the like.

A matter of taste really...

Craig · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:54 am Post subject:

Thanks to both of you for the input, but just to clarify George, If I do the 'Mic line level only' switch inside the unit (see link), the signal is still running through the pre? What is the purpose of the mod then? I it nothing more than a 'pad'?

Thanks again for taking the time to address this. I really appreciate it.

Craig
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Craig Park
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Craig · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:26 am Post subject:

So, I crack open the box to take a peek inside and give this mic line only switch a try.

Mine ain't got one.

Sheesh. (Still curious if it bypasses the pre though...if it had one I mean.)

Onward!

Craig
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Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

georgethetech · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Yes, I believe it's just a pad that knocks the output down to mic level, like the button on the back of a Mackie mixer next to the XLR outputs.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
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TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder