I'm thinking of buying a SM57 to go along with my full circle but I'm not sure what to look for in blender. Anyone have any advice?
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Double Bass What type of Blender?
- Thread starter murph36251
- Start date
I've used a D-TAR Solstice and I can recommend it. Pricey though.
It has two dual inputs that accept either 1/4" or XLR. Both inputs are 10 Mohm impedance. Beacoup output routing options. Separate EQ and phase reversal for each channel.
You might not need all that, but it's definitely a keen list of features. The best part (for me) is the uncolored transparent sound.
What's it missing for amplified DB? I guess you could argue a high pass filter would be great, and a notch filter. And the EQ is voiced moreso for guitar than bass.
Some people use a mini-mixing board type setup. More multi-purpose.
It has two dual inputs that accept either 1/4" or XLR. Both inputs are 10 Mohm impedance. Beacoup output routing options. Separate EQ and phase reversal for each channel.
You might not need all that, but it's definitely a keen list of features. The best part (for me) is the uncolored transparent sound.
What's it missing for amplified DB? I guess you could argue a high pass filter would be great, and a notch filter. And the EQ is voiced moreso for guitar than bass.
Some people use a mini-mixing board type setup. More multi-purpose.
Murph,
Well, I've been looking for over a year now and the D-Tar Solstice is certainly a consideration. Unless you want to replace your amp with a Acoustic Image that really has all the bells and whistles you need to mix a mic and pickup. The Solstice has Phase Reverse buttons on both channels and has a 1 meg ohm load input. Unfortunately, it's lacking notch/lo cut filters that are very helpful for controlling feedback. The Raven Labs was similar but it's no longer available. Sometimes they show up on the used market. The essential problem is most of the boxes are missing one of the key ingredients for feedback control and corrected input impedance, which IMHO are Lo Cut Filters, Notch Filters, Phase Reversal, and 1 meg ohm input for the peizo's. Euphonic Audio's Doubler is another example of an amplifier designed specifically for a combined mic/piezo amplifier. Good Luck
Ric
Well, I've been looking for over a year now and the D-Tar Solstice is certainly a consideration. Unless you want to replace your amp with a Acoustic Image that really has all the bells and whistles you need to mix a mic and pickup. The Solstice has Phase Reverse buttons on both channels and has a 1 meg ohm load input. Unfortunately, it's lacking notch/lo cut filters that are very helpful for controlling feedback. The Raven Labs was similar but it's no longer available. Sometimes they show up on the used market. The essential problem is most of the boxes are missing one of the key ingredients for feedback control and corrected input impedance, which IMHO are Lo Cut Filters, Notch Filters, Phase Reversal, and 1 meg ohm input for the peizo's. Euphonic Audio's Doubler is another example of an amplifier designed specifically for a combined mic/piezo amplifier. Good Luck
Ric
Johnny,
That's just exactly what I've been looking for. It's got Lo Cut, Phase Shift, 4 meg ohm piezo inputs. What did these things used to cost? Do they ever come up on the used market? Darvit!!!!!
Ric
about 3 or so a month sell on ebay, usually for about $150 to $300.
make sure you get the weird @$$ power supply, if you don't they're about $30.
you can blend two piezos, or piezo/mic, piezo/magPU, or, or or lotsa flexibility.
there's even a online mod to change the input impedances if they're not to your liking.
plus they're loud as $h!t
stoopid amount of gain available.Johnny
Thanks for all your input. I'm looking for something a little cheaper than the solstice. I'm considering the K&K Dual Channel Pro. Does anyone have any experience with it?
I've used two of the small K&K 2 channel preamps in the past. They worked fine for me. I did have to send one in for repair when the lead for the 9 volt battery broke, but they fixed it free even after the warranty was up.
I think you'll need an XLR to 1/4" adapter/converter or a XLR -> 1/4" cable to run an SM57 into it.
I definitely think the sound quality and build quality of the D-TAR is much better, and the feature set is superior, but like you said, it costs about twice as much.
I think you'll need an XLR to 1/4" adapter/converter or a XLR -> 1/4" cable to run an SM57 into it.
I definitely think the sound quality and build quality of the D-TAR is much better, and the feature set is superior, but like you said, it costs about twice as much.
Wondering where to post this report. Over the last few weeks I got DTAR Solstice and a Fishman FC with the idea of blending a mic.
The FC is just great to my ears. I've tried Realist, Rev Solo, a cheap piezo from eBay and the FC just sounds great to my ears.
Through the Solstice, I'm turning down the bass a bit on that channel. There's a lot of bass in the FC signal. Through the Solstice and into my tube pre (and then Crown CE1000 and Schroeder 1212), the FC by itself is capable of very high volume and honest DB sound.
The mic I had laying around is the ATM63 vocal mic. I used the rubber band mounting strategy. Specs indicate this is cardioid, 50hz. I found I had to use Solstice to eq out all the bass to avoid feedback. It does add a little air and texture at medium and low volumes. Overall I think I want a mic with a tighter pattern, more sensitivity and less weight.
I am really interested in trying the Audix D4, based on all I've read.
And, as a side note, I had the FC installed at Gage. While there I mentioned to the great guy working on my bass (Thanks Simon) that it was not as loud a bass I would like. He checked out the sound post, decided it was really tight and in the wrong place, shortened and relocated, and my bass doubled in volume. Even my wife noticed that it was much louder.
So, I'm pretty enthusiastic about the sound I am getting out of the Solstice and FC rig and looking forward to finding the right mic for blending.
Neal
The FC is just great to my ears. I've tried Realist, Rev Solo, a cheap piezo from eBay and the FC just sounds great to my ears.
Through the Solstice, I'm turning down the bass a bit on that channel. There's a lot of bass in the FC signal. Through the Solstice and into my tube pre (and then Crown CE1000 and Schroeder 1212), the FC by itself is capable of very high volume and honest DB sound.
The mic I had laying around is the ATM63 vocal mic. I used the rubber band mounting strategy. Specs indicate this is cardioid, 50hz. I found I had to use Solstice to eq out all the bass to avoid feedback. It does add a little air and texture at medium and low volumes. Overall I think I want a mic with a tighter pattern, more sensitivity and less weight.
I am really interested in trying the Audix D4, based on all I've read.
And, as a side note, I had the FC installed at Gage. While there I mentioned to the great guy working on my bass (Thanks Simon) that it was not as loud a bass I would like. He checked out the sound post, decided it was really tight and in the wrong place, shortened and relocated, and my bass doubled in volume. Even my wife noticed that it was much louder.
So, I'm pretty enthusiastic about the sound I am getting out of the Solstice and FC rig and looking forward to finding the right mic for blending.
Neal
If anyone's interested, I'd sell my D-Tar Solstice for $ 300 shipped to US48.
Great piece o'gear. I'm just not using it much.
Great piece o'gear. I'm just not using it much.
