I have an 8-track digital Fostex with two XLR inputs and plenty of
quarter-inch inputs. I use four mics to record drums and all of them
use XLR cables. In the past I have run the overheads into my board's
XLR ins and used $15 Radio Shack adaptor/transformers to get the snare
and kick mics into quarter-inch inputs on my board. It has come to my
attention lately that such adaptors are frowned upon for recording.
If that's the case, I'd like to know what the best solution is for
$100 or less. Although I'd like to know, too, if it's really a
problem using these cheap transformers when I'm recording something as
loud as kick and snare drums. Thanks.

Nat wrote:
I have an 8-track digital Fostex with two XLR inputs and plenty of
quarter-inch inputs. I use four mics to record drums and all of them
use XLR cables. In the past I have run the overheads into my board's
XLR ins and used $15 Radio Shack adaptor/transformers to get the snare
and kick mics into quarter-inch inputs on my board. It has come to my
attention lately that such adaptors are frowned upon for recording.
If that's the case, I'd like to know what the best solution is for
$100 or less. Although I'd like to know, too, if it's really a
problem using these cheap transformers when I'm recording something as
loud as kick and snare drums. Thanks.

Good transformers are not cheap, and cheap transformers are not good.

You _might_ try just a 1/4" to XLR cable. The microphones won't be seeing
the right load, but they probably won't be seeing the right load through
those Radio Shack things either.

But basically, if you like the way it sounds, don't worry whether people
frown upon it or not. And if you don't like the sound, you should worry.
But expect to either spend some money for real transformer boxes, or to
do some soldering with the Lundahl transformers and some connectors.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Nat wrote:

I have an 8-track digital Fostex with two XLR inputs and plenty of
quarter-inch inputs. I use four mics to record drums and all of them
use XLR cables. In the past I have run the overheads into my board's
XLR ins and used $15 Radio Shack adaptor/transformers to get the snare
and kick mics into quarter-inch inputs on my board. It has come to my
attention lately that such adaptors are frowned upon for recording.
If that's the case, [ ... ]

Just so that you know, to help you make a decision about this: The main
reason that miniature transformers are frowned upon for this application
is that they have very strict limits as to how strong (voltage-wise) a
signal they can pass, particularly at the lowest audio frequencies, and
particularly if the transformers include a voltage step-up (sometimes
sold as "Low impedance to High impedance" transformers).

If you are using dynamic microphones then there may be no problem at all,
however, even near a very loud drum kit--particularly if the transformers
are 1:1 (low impedance to low impedance). It's mainly if you were using
condenser microphones and/or transformers containing a voltage step-up
that there would be a big risk of overload. And if so, any such overload
should be audibly apparent when the kick drum gets loud, if you isolate
that one input and monitor it. There would be a muffling effect at the
moment of impact, and possibly other forms of temporary distortion.

If you monitor the respective inputs clearly and they're giving you the
sound that you want, and if that remains true even at the highest volume
levels and the closest mike placements that would ever occur, then don't
let us or anyone else bully you into changing your mind. Well-made audio
transformers can be elegant solutions to certain problems--see for example
www.jensen-transformers.com/faqs.html--and they even have a certain retro
appeal these days, though OK, maybe not the ones from Radio Shack so much.
But even those could be adequate depending on the miking situation.

--best regards

David Satz wrote:

snip

If you monitor the respective inputs clearly and they're giving you the
sound that you want, and if that remains true even at the highest volume
levels and the closest mike placements that would ever occur, then don't
let us or anyone else bully you into changing your mind.

This was my thought, too!

Well-made audio
transformers can be elegant solutions to certain problems--see for example
www.jensen-transformers.com/faqs.html--and they even have a certain retro
appeal these days, though OK, maybe not the ones from Radio Shack so much.

I have a couple of the RS inline transformers and find that they work
surprisingly well. I might say that they are the best audio related RS
product I have ever purchased. I bought these some years ago, though,
and wouldn't at all be surprised to learn that those being sold today
use a different transformer and that they aren't an improvement!

snip

--
================================================== ======================
Michael Kesti | "And like, one and one don't make
| two, one and one make one."
| - The Who, Bargain

Thanks for the replies. I don't have the time or sophistication right
now to do soldering, but I will do some tests when my drummer stops
by. I have some XLR ins on my board, and while I'm sure they're not
the greatest in the world, I'm fine with their sound. So I have the
ability to compare what the kick and snare are doing with and without
the RS transformer.

I don't know what qualifies as a DAW. Is that any digital hard disk
recorder/mixer? If so, then that's what I have.

I'm glad to hear that problems are less likely with dynamic mics, b/c
that's what I'm using. And as far as I know, the transformer is 1:1.

I like the buying the mixer idea because it seems simple, or maybe
because the mixer has an attractive, non-technical interface. But I
hope I don't have to spend any more money. This bleeding never
ceases. I'm a weak man.


(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message ...
Nat wrote:
I have an 8-track digital Fostex with two XLR inputs and plenty of
quarter-inch inputs. I use four mics to record drums and all of them
use XLR cables. In the past I have run the overheads into my board's
XLR ins and used $15 Radio Shack adaptor/transformers to get the snare
and kick mics into quarter-inch inputs on my board. It has come to my
attention lately that such adaptors are frowned upon for recording.
If that's the case, I'd like to know what the best solution is for
$100 or less. Although I'd like to know, too, if it's really a
problem using these cheap transformers when I'm recording something as
loud as kick and snare drums. Thanks.

Good transformers are not cheap, and cheap transformers are not good.

You _might_ try just a 1/4" to XLR cable. The microphones won't be seeing
the right load, but they probably won't be seeing the right load through
those Radio Shack things either.

But basically, if you like the way it sounds, don't worry whether people
frown upon it or not. And if you don't like the sound, you should worry.
But expect to either spend some money for real transformer boxes, or to
do some soldering with the Lundahl transformers and some connectors.
--scott

Nat wrote:
I have an 8-track digital Fostex with two XLR inputs and plenty of
quarter-inch inputs. I use four mics to record drums and all of them
use XLR cables. In the past I have run the overheads into my board's
XLR ins and used $15 Radio Shack adaptor/transformers to get the snare
and kick mics into quarter-inch inputs on my board. It has come to my
attention lately that such adaptors are frowned upon for recording.
If that's the case, I'd like to know what the best solution is for
$100 or less. Although I'd like to know, too, if it's really a
problem using these cheap transformers when I'm recording something as
loud as kick and snare drums. Thanks.

If the job is really worth the effort, then maybe it's not worth piddling
around with work-arounds. You could try picking up a used mini-mixer with
the right number of mic inputs. Selling your existing mixer would make the
excersize less expensive.

geoff

If the job is really worth the effort, then maybe it's not worth piddling
around with work-arounds. You could try picking up a used mini-mixer with
the right number of mic inputs. Selling your existing mixer would make the
excersize less expensive.

I do want to test out my inline transformers first. If they aren't
clean, then maybe I'll try the Behringer MXB1002. Thanks for the
suggestions.