Anyone heard these $100 8 Channel Mic Pre's?

[justin smith]

It looks like Nady and "SMPro Audio" are putting out the same 8
channel mic preamp under a different name, but for the same price:
$100!? Does anyone know who is actually building these things, and if
they are even worth throwing a hundred dollars at? What about any DIY
mods for them, anybody willing to take a look?
Thanks-
Justin.S

[Kendall]

"justin smith" > wrote in message
...
> It looks like Nady and "SMPro Audio" are putting out the same 8
> channel mic preamp under a different name, but for the same price:
> $100!? Does anyone know who is actually building these things, and if
> they are even worth throwing a hundred dollars at? What about any DIY
> mods for them, anybody willing to take a look?
> Thanks-
> Justin.S

Actually, if you read the little blurb about each of them, it appears that
the Nady only has TS outputs, where the SM Pro Audio one has TRS. The Sm
Pro one also makes a point of saying it has balanced outputs. So, all else
being equal, it would appear that the Nady is the lesser "value" between the
2. Of course, not having heard either, it is difficult to say how good that
"value" may be. I'd be interested to read a review on it, if anyone manages
to turn one up.

Kendall

[Kendall]

"Kendall" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> "justin smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It looks like Nady and "SMPro Audio" are putting out the same 8
> > channel mic preamp under a different name, but for the same price:
> > $100!? Does anyone know who is actually building these things, and if
> > they are even worth throwing a hundred dollars at? What about any DIY
> > mods for them, anybody willing to take a look?
> > Thanks-
> > Justin.S
>
> Actually, if you read the little blurb about each of them, it appears that
> the Nady only has TS outputs, where the SM Pro Audio one has TRS. The Sm
> Pro one also makes a point of saying it has balanced outputs. So, all
else
> being equal, it would appear that the Nady is the lesser "value" between
the
> 2. Of course, not having heard either, it is difficult to say how good
that
> "value" may be. I'd be interested to read a review on it, if anyone
manages
> to turn one up.
>
> Kendall

The plot thickens. If you dowload the PDF manual for both units, it appears
that they may both be balanced. The manual for the Nady unit starts off in
the "features" section calling the output a TS jack, but later in the manual
it starts calling it a TRS, and also specifies that it is balanced. How odd
that they would let that get all the way to print with an error like that.
Especially since it is getting marketed against a rebadged unit from another
company, where it ends up looking like a lesser unit. I'll bet somebody is
saying "D'oh!" over that one!

Kendall

[justin smith]

Check out the "retail" prices: Nady $299, SMPro....$149! What are we
to make of that when they both sell for $100!?
>
>The plot thickens. If you dowload the PDF manual for both units, it appears
>that they may both be balanced. The manual for the Nady unit starts off in
>the "features" section calling the output a TS jack, but later in the manual
>it starts calling it a TRS, and also specifies that it is balanced. How odd
>that they would let that get all the way to print with an error like that.
>Especially since it is getting marketed against a rebadged unit from another
>company, where it ends up looking like a lesser unit. I'll bet somebody is
>saying "D'oh!" over that one!
>
>Kendall
>

[Mike Rivers]

In article et> writes:

> Actually, if you read the little blurb about each of them, it appears that
> the Nady only has TS outputs, where the SM Pro Audio one has TRS. The Sm
> Pro one also makes a point of saying it has balanced outputs.

Without seeing the unit or the schematic, I can't say for sure, but I
suspect that the balanced output consists of a fixed resistor between
the low side and ground. This does indeed make a balanced input do its
job of common mode noise rejection and costs only pennies, so it's a
worthwhile addition. If all other things are truly equal, it could be
the reason to buy one over the other.

On the other hand, I don't think that a $2/channel (plus chassis and
power supply and labor and profit) preamp is going to do anything but
make the microphone signal louder. This may be all you need, but it
isn't likely to be a quality improvement over anything you already
have other than perhaps a Soundblaster with a mic input.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[Les Cargill]

justin smith wrote:
>
> It looks like Nady and "SMPro Audio" are putting out the same 8
> channel mic preamp under a different name, but for the same price:
> $100!? Does anyone know who is actually building these things, and if
> they are even worth throwing a hundred dollars at? What about any DIY
> mods for them, anybody willing to take a look?
> Thanks-
> Justin.S

That is just not enough money to build one very good mic pre, much less
eight.

--
Les Cargill

[Dave Runton]

Check out the TapeOp forum, I posted some comments on this about a
month ago.

Here are the basics of the SMPro version:

The unit has 3 PCB's

Power Supply Board: dual transformers, one for the +/-15V rails, one
for the +48V, just your basic regulated supply, nothing special.

Input Board: Basic transistor diff pair transformerless input.
Drives into a dual channel op-amp in series. Gain is set as an
attenuator between the two stages.

Output Board: Dual op-amp, no gain here, one non-inverting, one
inverting.

General comments:

47uF tantalum bypass caps between each stage (phantom decouple, stage
1 to attenuator, attenuator to stage 2, output of stage 2, output of
buffer), so 5 electrolytic caps in your signal change

All of the jumper wires (board 1 to gain set pot, board 1 to board 2)
are just plain wire, not shielded and use little plastic connectors
that are globbed with glue to hold them in place.

Op-amps are soldered in 8pin DIPs, but I socketed them and upgraded.

Overall nothing esoteric, just a simple by-the-book design, along the
lines of Mackie/Behringer. Note that the newer versions might have
been changed to surface mount, etc, but this is what mine was like.

[Roger W. Norman]

justin smith" > wrote in message
...> It looks like Nady and
"SMPro Audio" are putting out the same 8
> channel mic preamp under a different name, but for the same price:
> $100!? Does anyone know who is actually building these things, and if
> they are even worth throwing a hundred dollars at? What about any DIY
> mods for them, anybody willing to take a look?
> Thanks-
> Justin.S

At the price just buy one and report back to us. Of course you have to have
something reasonable to judge it against, and if you ask the question,
obviously you don't have something reasonable to judge it against. Thus, it
wouldn't make a single list of mine, even were I going to set up a recording
system for 12 year olds.

Geez, guys. Think. Use logic and reason. To make any profit at all the
parts have to be about $.37 total because it takes that little in parts to
make the production line work towards making any profit.

If any of you have been paying attention over the years, believe us, there
is no CHEAP way to go without getting CHEAP, particularly in the range of
electronics. I'll take some of the mics that have been coming out for
little money, but let's face it, unless you can pinpoint where you could use
them, they are a worthless investment too. To look at an 8 channel mic pre
that sells street for $100 you might as well just go ahead and get it
because it might do something for you. But ultimately, if you have any ears
at all, you'll drop it like a hot potato and consider that you've learned a
lesson. The real lesson is don't buy crap and then you won't have crap on
your hands.

--


Roger W. Norman
SirMusic Studio
Purchase your copy of the Fifth of RAP CD set at www.recaudiopro.net.
See how far $20 really goes.




"

[justin smith]

I have plently reasonable to judge it against, but thanks for the
implied insult. I was mostly inquiring about the modifications that
could be done on it, seeing as for a $100 starting price if I can swap
out some IC, capicitors, etc. and get it sounding decent, I don't see
a reason not to have it around.
>At the price just buy one and report back to us. Of course you have to have
>something reasonable to judge it against, and if you ask the question,
>obviously you don't have something reasonable to judge it against. Thus, it
>wouldn't make a single list of mine, even were I going to set up a recording
>system for 12 year olds.
>
>Geez, guys. Think. Use logic and reason. To make any profit at all the
>parts have to be about $.37 total because it takes that little in parts to
>make the production line work towards making any profit.
>
>If any of you have been paying attention over the years, believe us, there
>is no CHEAP way to go without getting CHEAP, particularly in the range of
>electronics. I'll take some of the mics that have been coming out for
>little money, but let's face it, unless you can pinpoint where you could use
>them, they are a worthless investment too. To look at an 8 channel mic pre
>that sells street for $100 you might as well just go ahead and get it
>because it might do something for you. But ultimately, if you have any ears
>at all, you'll drop it like a hot potato and consider that you've learned a
>lesson. The real lesson is don't buy crap and then you won't have crap on
>your hands.

[Roger W. Norman]

Implied? I don't think so. I was pretty specific. I don't recall seeing
anything in your question about changing out parts and making something out
of nothing. I said specifically that if you didn't have something to judge
it against than you wouldn't know what it sounded like. If you do, then for
$100 be brave and figure it out for yourself. I mean, if we were talking
about $2k then I'd understand, but you know the name, you know the
reputation, and yet you ask the question without the stipulations. I simply
answered on that level. If you took offense then I apologize. I wasn't
trying to offend you. But the answer is still the same, regardless, and
it's come at the expense of my wallet more times than once. Perhaps instead
of ragging on you, I was reminding myself of lessons learned dearly? Your
call.

--


Roger W. Norman
SirMusic Studio
Purchase your copy of the Fifth of RAP CD set at www.recaudiopro.net.
See how far $20 really goes.




"justin smith" > wrote in message
...
> I have plently reasonable to judge it against, but thanks for the
> implied insult. I was mostly inquiring about the modifications that
> could be done on it, seeing as for a $100 starting price if I can swap
> out some IC, capicitors, etc. and get it sounding decent, I don't see
> a reason not to have it around.
> >At the price just buy one and report back to us. Of course you have to
have
> >something reasonable to judge it against, and if you ask the question,
> >obviously you don't have something reasonable to judge it against. Thus,
it
> >wouldn't make a single list of mine, even were I going to set up a
recording
> >system for 12 year olds.
> >
> >Geez, guys. Think. Use logic and reason. To make any profit at all the
> >parts have to be about $.37 total because it takes that little in parts
to
> >make the production line work towards making any profit.
> >
> >If any of you have been paying attention over the years, believe us,
there
> >is no CHEAP way to go without getting CHEAP, particularly in the range of
> >electronics. I'll take some of the mics that have been coming out for
> >little money, but let's face it, unless you can pinpoint where you could
use
> >them, they are a worthless investment too. To look at an 8 channel mic
pre
> >that sells street for $100 you might as well just go ahead and get it
> >because it might do something for you. But ultimately, if you have any
ears
> >at all, you'll drop it like a hot potato and consider that you've learned
a
> >lesson. The real lesson is don't buy crap and then you won't have crap
on
> >your hands.
>

[justin smith]

> I don't recall seeing
>anything in your question about changing out parts and making something out
>of nothing.

Then you didn't actually read the quesestion that started this thread,
and just decided to jump in uninformed.

[Roger W. Norman]

"justin smith" > wrote in message
...
> Then you didn't actually read the quesestion that started this thread,
> and just decided to jump in uninformed.

Fine. I'm just an idiot.
--


Roger W. Norman
SirMusic Studio
Purchase your copy of the Fifth of RAP CD set at www.recaudiopro.net.
See how far $20 really goes.




"justin smith" > wrote in message
...
> Then you didn't actually read the quesestion that started this thread,
> and just decided to jump in uninformed.

[Arny Krueger]

"justin smith" > wrote in message


> I have plently reasonable to judge it against, but thanks for the
> implied insult. I was mostly inquiring about the modifications that
> could be done on it, seeing as for a $100 starting price if I can swap
> out some IC, capacitors, etc. and get it sounding decent, I don't see
> a reason not to have it around.

If you wanted to do a professional job of this, you'd start out with a
level-matched, time-synched, bias-controlled listening test and some
technical testing.

From Dave Runton's description, the most obvious sound quality exposure
would be the unbiased tantalum coupling caps around the gain control and
outputs.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I was mostly inquiring about the modifications that
> could be done on it, seeing as for a $100 starting price if I can swap
> out some IC, capicitors, etc. and get it sounding decent, I don't see
> a reason not to have it around.

If you were going to do that, you might just start with a chassis and
power supply and build your own preamp.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[Arny Krueger]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1067653427k@trad
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> I was mostly inquiring about the modifications that
>> could be done on it, seeing as for a $100 starting price if I can
>> swap out some IC, capacitors, etc. and get it sounding decent, I
>> don't see a reason not to have it around.

> If you were going to do that, you might just start with a chassis and
> power supply and build your own preamp.

Ironically, $100 will get you the rack chassis, maybe parts for the power
supply, and possibly some or all of the connectors. If you start with a
SMPro Audio you get the chassis pre-punched!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/search/detail/base_pid/480830

[Analogeezer]

"Roger W. Norman" > wrote in message >...
> "justin smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Then you didn't actually read the quesestion that started this thread,
> > and just decided to jump in uninformed.
>
> Fine. I'm just an idiot.
> --
>
>
> Roger W. Norman
> SirMusic Studio
> Purchase your copy of the Fifth of RAP CD set at www.recaudiopro.net.
> See how far $20 really goes.
>
>
>
>
> "justin smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Then you didn't actually read the quesestion that started this thread,
> > and just decided to jump in uninformed.

Roger,

Using some of your original logic, I'd say that the FMR RNC must be a
piece of crap...I mean you get four channels of compression for only
$175, that's only $44 per channel, I mean how good can the thing be at
that price. If an 1176 costs $1500 per channel, at $44 per channel
this RNC thing must be a total piece of crap, right?

I'd suggest the usefulness of this preamp would be for the guy that
wants to record 8 tracks and doesn't want to string together two
Mackies to do that.

While I'd agree with the logic of spending your money on useful tools
that will last (e.g. $2000 mic pres), when someobody's entire setup
costs that much it's kind of a stretch to justify spending $2000 on
something when the rest of your signal chain is not there either. Keep
in mind that not everybody's recording/music career is for life, some
people wind up dropping out. Then there are the sick pups like us <g>

I did plenty of recordings in my youth on crap gear and I can't really
say the music would have been better if I had good gear...the
recordings yes but not the music.

My drummer is thinking about buying one of these pres for live
recording, his side bands (Country Band, big band, etc.) Nothing
serious mind you, just capturing a live performance to his DA78.

For him it would be a lot more convenient than dragging out two 1202's
to do the same thing.

If he gets the thing I'll A/B it with my good **** (GR, Hardy) and my
so so **** (Rane and Symetrix) and report back.

Analogeezer

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Ironically, $100 will get you the rack chassis, maybe parts for the power
> supply, and possibly some or all of the connectors. If you start with a
> SMPro Audio you get the chassis pre-punched!

You've got a point there. I know that people who pay outrageous prices
for Ampex MX-10 mixers essentially remove all of the components and
replace them all (and figure that they're getting a bargain for a four
channel toob mic preamp).

Still, a message asking about a new product to be purchased for the
primary purpose of modifying it seems a bit out of character here from
someone who isn't known as a builder. If Justin had asked this, I
wouldn't have been surprised.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[EganMedia]

>On the other hand, I don't think that a $2/channel (plus chassis and
>power supply and labor and profit) preamp is going to do anything but
>make the microphone signal louder.

That's all my great River MP2 seems to do. I suspect for $2/channel it's
changing the mic's signal substantially.


Joe Egan
EMP
Colchester, VT
www.eganmedia.com

[EggHd]

<< sing some of your original logic, I'd say that the FMR RNC must be a
piece of crap...I mean you get four channels of compression for only
$175, that's only $44 per channel, I mean how good can the thing be at
that price. >>

How do I tap into the other 2 channels of my RNC?



---------------------------------------
"I know enough to know I don't know enough"