Double Bass Anyone using a Troll with AI Clarus SL?

[fasternak]

Jazz musician here. I was thinking the Troll was going to pair up well with my Clarus SL. But It’s not nearly loud enough despite have maxed both vol & gain nobs. Considering powering a fethead with an external phantom power supply. And I am wondering if there may be a happy Troll/Clarus SL user here who can offer me some much needed advice. What are you using to boost gain sans onboard phantom power?

 

[Sean Riddle]

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Just quickly checked out their section on how to use the Troll for live performance. Since it's a ribbon mic I don't think it needs phantom power, but it does have low output so they recommend using a high gain preamp. The SL isn't really designed to handle a mic (SL-2 can though) so a preamp might be the best option since the SL doesn't having anything on board to boost the gain of the mic.

 

[fasternak]

I’m sorry, Sean. I guess I didn’t make my question clear enough. I’m wondering which preamp people are happily using with the Troll/Clarus SL. Thought I’d check in here before I give FEThead via external phantom power supply a shot.

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Just quickly checked out their section on how to use the Troll for live performance. Since it's a ribbon mic I don't think it needs phantom power, but it does have low output so they recommend using a high gain preamp. The SL isn't really designed to handle a mic (SL-2 can though) so a preamp might be the best option since the SL doesn't having anything on board to boost the gain of the mic.

 

[Sean Riddle]

I’m sorry, Sean. I guess I didn’t make my question clear enough. I’m wondering which preamp people are happily using with the Troll/Clarus SL. Thought I’d check in here before I give FEThead via external phantom power supply a shot.

All good. That's all on me!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

For a ribbon mic you need a very good low noise mic preamp. The FEThead does the amplification from low ribbon output to condenser-like output, but probably not enough for instrument level, but that depends on the range. Of your gain control. If that is not enough, you need a medium quality mic preamp with a line out or instrument-level out, preferably one that can deliver phantom voltage for the FEThead.

 

[fasternak]

For a ribbon mic you need a very good low noise mic preamp. The FEThead does the amplification from low ribbon output to condenser-like output, but probably not enough for instrument level, but that depends on the range. Of your gain control. If that is not enough, you need a medium quality mic preamp with a line out or instrument-level out, preferably one that can deliver phantom voltage for the FEThead.

Helpful answer. Thank you! As I understand it, you’re suggesting that I use the FEThead with a mic preamp to reach instrument level. So, I expect I’ll buy the FEThead first (use it with my stand-alone phantom power supply) to see how that goes before I buy the pre. Thinking of using ART Studio V3 mic pre in neutral setting with FEThead. Can anyone recommend an good, reasonably affordable mic pre?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Helpful answer. Thank you! As I understand it, you’re suggesting that I use the FEThead with a mic preamp to reach instrument level. So, I expect I’ll buy the FEThead first (use it with my stand-alone phantom power supply) to see how that goes before I buy the pre. Thinking of using ART Studio V3 mic pre in neutral setting with FEThead. Can anyone recommend an good, reasonably affordable mic pre?

That’s what I would try myself in your case. The ART mic preamp can get noisy if the amplification factor is high, but if the FEThead does most of the amplification that might be a working solution. If not the mic preamp might get more expensive.

 

[fasternak]

Thanks DoubleM. I’ve just ordered the ART from Guitar Center so I can easily return it if it doesn’t do the trick.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Dang, a little late to the party but when I don't use the Fethead into a FOH board I use this- Invalid Link Removed

Be very careful/mindful to protect the Troll from the phantom powers!

 

[fasternak]

Thank you, JeffK. Looks like the VTB1 is obsolete. But it looks like it’s pretty easy to find a used one. I’ll keep this in mind if the ART lets me down when it arrives next week.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I wouldn't say obsolete necessarily, just not in production... the nice thing is that is has enough gain/headroom to use it without the phantom/Fethead and it's still quiet. Not too expensive used either.
-Jeff


(musing) I might think about selling mine now that I have an amp with a mic channel w/PP.

 

[fasternak]

Moved text to reply... sorry about this.

 

[fasternak]

I wouldn't say obsolete necessarily, just not in production... the nice thing is that is has enough gain/headroom to use it without the phantom/Fethead and it's still quiet. Not too expensive used either.
-Jeff


(musing) I might think about selling mine now that I have an amp with a mic channel w/PP.

...without the FEThead! Well, this is encouraging. Do you recall if phantom is push button or toggle? I know I won’t be able avoid hitting that button by accident. And I’d tape a toggle in the off position if I can use the amp without the FEThead.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

It's a push button with a light, very obviously on or off. All of the features are buttons, no toggles. The whole design is well thought out and useful; on/off HPF, phase reverse, etc.

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[Povl Carstensen]

I use a ART tube MP project series. Seems to have more or less the same features. I experience good gain and no noise. Upgraded the tube to a Sovtek LPS (which I use in my stereo, app. 20$), but that is perhaps for the more nerdy.

 

[fasternak]

It's a push button with a light, very obviously on or off. All of the features are buttons, no toggles. The whole design is well thought out and useful; on/off HPF, phase reverse, etc.

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It's a push button with a light, very obviously on or off. All of the features are buttons, no toggles. The whole design is well thought out and useful; on/off HPF, phase reverse, etc.

Well, I decided to keep it simple and not add another box to my rig. So I’ll return the ART mic pre unopened, put my Clarus SL-1 up for sale, and buy the mic friendly Clarus SL-2 instead. And I’ll put the FEThead inline too. Thanks for helping me sort this out.

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[juusokasperi]

I use the Clarus SL-2 with a Troll. Clarus doesn't work with the FEThead for some reason, but you won't really even need it with the SL-2.

 

[fasternak]

I use the Clarus SL-2 with a Troll. Clarus doesn't work with the FEThead for some reason, but you won't really even need it with the SL-2.

Interesting. Brandon Essex also tells me the Troll works well via SL-2 sans FEThead. But suggested I put the FEThead inline anyway after I told him I was concerned about giving his ribbon mic a jolt of phantom by mistake. Can you say more about how and why the FEThead doesn’t work for you? Is it a feedback issue, noise, or something else entirely?

 

[juusokasperi]

Hmm, that's weird and interesting to hear. For me, I don't get any signal when I have the FEThead in line (Troll->Fethead->SL2) - I always just thought that the the SL-2 isn't somehow supplying enough phantom power for the FEThead to function. Troll -> Fethead -> PA system always works, so the problem shouldn't be with the Fethead. If you've been told that it works well, then maybe there's a defect in my amp that I wasn't aware of.

 

[fasternak]

Hmm, that's weird and interesting to hear. For me, I don't get any signal when I have the FEThead in line (Troll->Fethead->SL2) - I always just thought that the the SL-2 isn't somehow supplying enough phantom power for the FEThead to function. Troll -> Fethead -> PA system always works, so the problem shouldn't be with the Fethead. If you've been told that it works well, then maybe there's a defect in my amp that I wasn't aware of.

The SL-2 should arrive the middle of this week. I’ll let you know how it goes.