|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742 |
As for microphones...eh, they all record...you can work out the foibles of any mic to your advantage Yes. Even the SM57/58 — both sound less than ideal into a modern solid state interface due to mismatched high impedance (these were designed to see the 600Ω Bell Telephone spec found in nearly everything in the '50s–'60s). A little tweak to a barrel connector or a mic cable fixes that and turns these into the excellent mics that they were designed to be. I recommend reading this article on the problem, then the sidebar on what you can do inexpensively to fix it. Recording Mag article on SM57 Wouldn't something with switchable impedance like a VTB1 preamp do the same thing? Seems to here. I don't trust my soldering .. <grin> Perhaps and perhaps not. Here is why Certain things need to be known. What is the impedance of the input device? If you want to calculate a load resistor that’s tailored to your preamp/board’s actual resistance, it’s easy to do. The formula is: 1/Rg = 1/Zd – 1/Za where Rg is the resistor to be used in the Gizmo, Zd is the desired total load impedance, and Za is the actual load impedance of the input. A Mackie board with XDR Pro preamps has an input impedance of 1300 ohms; plugging the numbers into the equation, we get: 1/Rg = 1/500 – 1/1300 = 0.002 – 0.000769 = 0.00123 Pushing the “1/x” button on the calculator, the answer is: Rg = 812.5 ohms The nearest value in the 1% tolerance series of resistors is 806 ohms, so that would be the one to use. I did not download a schematic for the VTB1 but Sweetwates shows specifications as Switchable Impedance between 50/200 Ohm which would not work for a 600-ohm mic. I will try to find a variable impedance device or schematic. A little electrical stuff. A microphone produces an alternating current (AC). So...things get a little more complex as opposed to direct current (DC) like coming out of your flashlight. Impedance is not really easy to understand. Take a simple circuit, battery connected to a resistor. The battery pushes current through the resistor, which "resists" this. Thus, the higher the resistance offered, the lower the current through the circuit. But there are also AC circuits that involve capacitors (C) and inductors (L). Each of these also contributes to the overall "resistance" offered by the circuit, except this combined "resistance" is called impedance for the simple reason that it involves not just the resistors, but also the capacitors and inductors in the circuit. It "impedes" the flow of current through the circuit. The term reactance is used to refer to the non-resistive component of the capacitors and inductors. Yes, as I said it is not exactly simple. If I knew the impedance of your input device and knew the impedance of your mic I could add a resistor into the circuit in five minutes. It is also possible to change the impedance of you input device but that can cause other issues. Billy EDIT: I found this video pretty well explains this subject in an easy-to-understand way. It also shows how to build a variable impedance device for an SM57. I will go build one and check it out.
Last edited by Planobilly; 02/17/22 03:55 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,662
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,662 |
Re old bell 600 ohms. there are several variable imp devices that address the problem...eg ? https://artproaudio.com/product/rp-1-mic-preamp/specs say imp variable tween 150 ohms – 10k ohms. useing this would mean also one doesnt need to crank the pre on the usb audio interface. see you tube for tests of this type of gizmo made by various manufacturers...down to 40 bucks ive seen them. om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 02/17/22 03:51 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742 |
Here is a short article by Rob Jones about this subject. https://www.microphone-data.com/media/filestore/articles/Mic%20impedance-10.pdfRob Jones deals with technical aspects of marketing at Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. He is a graduate of the Tonmeister course, University of Surrey . Once upon a time he used to be an actor but then found music to be far more interesting. A SM57 will work in any interface. How it will sound is the question. Changing the impedance is the easiest way to change how it sounds. Running it through a tube pre will add distortion in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd harmonic generally considered by most people to add a "warm" sound to the mic. Low-cut filters can be added for cheap giving even more control. For those of you who are unsure about soldering, it can be learned in a very short time with many instructional videos on youtube. It is really not hard to learn to do. It is a very useful skill if you own a guitar or a microphone as something is going to fail sooner or later. Billy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
There's no such thing as "can't sing." Singing is a natural part of the human voice. If you can speak, you can sing. https://youtu.be/58hISyYdt5Ehttps://youtu.be/RY_dYVTZkfI
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Hey Bryon, Excellent stuff on your site. I particularly liked "Princess Of The Forrest". Very nice work. Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,641
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,641 |
I did not download a schematic for the VTB1 but Sweetwates shows specifications as Switchable Impedance between 50/200 Ohm which would not work for a 600-ohm mic. The specs on Sweetwater don't tell the full story, the actual impedance used is different than the specs you observed. From the manual ( http://studioprojects.com/pdf/vtb1_manual.pdf)page 3 "Mic Input (Rear switch in 200 ohm position): 2000 ohms Mic Input (Rear switch in 50 ohm position): 300 ohms" So with the switch at 50 ohm position, it yields 300 ohm .. not sure why there is a difference in this, which is why I asked. I am NOT an electrical engineer type guy (I don't even like soldering, except for stuff like copper pipe; my electronics soldering has always ended dismally) To me the VTB1 makes both my LCD and my SM57 sound better than the Focusrite or other devices. I was honestly asking if this may be why .. In other words, my original question wasn't meant to be rhetorical, but rather quizzical in nature so I can learn more, so I asked .. and yes the VTB1 does have an adjustable amount of tube added (12AX7 that can be replaced with a non-stock one), so it becomes more complicated at that point It allows hybrid tube/solid state mix My usual setting is about 40% tube, and I have no idea if this would increase/decrease the end result impedance, like I said it gets complicated, but I do like it and wonder if there is a empirical explanation Never looked for the schematics, but I'm sure they are out there .. they would mean absolutely nothing to me
Last edited by rharv; 02/20/22 07:24 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742 |
Electronic DIY hobbyists are changing out the opamps for "better" ones in the VTB1. I mention this because they are asking for schematics with no response which is very often the case for devices like this. This is all the technical information I could dig up. The microphone front end is a solid‑state Class AB circuit, which feeds a TRS jack insert point, allowing additional processing to be inserted into the signal path. According to the circuit description, a balanced, current‑source‑fed parallel transistor arrangement feeds into a bipolar op‑amp. The transistors provide up to 45dB of gain and the op‑amp a further 15dB. Both the mic input and line output are on balanced XLRs. The line switch is on the front panel next to the instrument/line input jack. A FET is used in the line input circuit, to present a high input impedance when the device is switched to instrument mode. (In this mode, the input impedance is 1.5MΩ.) Unusually for a preamp in this price range, the input also offers variable input impedance, via a rear‑panel switch, to suit both 50Ω and 200Ω microphones. The actual input impedance of the VTB1 is 2kΩ in the 200Ω position and 300Ω in the 50Ω position, as it is normal to feed mics into an impedance an order of magnitude greater than their own impedance. Whatever theory suggests, your best bet is to try both positions for each application and see which sounds best to you; usually, you'll hear a subtle difference at the low end. This unit is certainly not designed to accommodate all mics but of course, it will work. I think a SM57 is about 310 Ohm actual, rated at 150 Ohms. Most reviews I have read say this is a pretty good device for a low-cost device of this type. Without a schematic or the actual unit setting here to take apart and reverse engineer, it is impossible for me to say anything more than what I have read from a couple of electronic DIY sites. The simple answer to all these impedance issues is to buy or build a variable impedance device. Under $50 to buy and around $20 to build yourself. All the best, Billy EDIT: This describes the impedance issues with microphones in an understandable way. https://mynewmicrophone.com/what-is-a-good-microphone-output-impedance-rating/
Last edited by Planobilly; 02/20/22 10:07 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,676
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,676 |
This may or may not be helpful...
A dynamic microphone uses a diaphragm to capture the air-pressure (sound) waves and convert that into a physical movement that in turn moves a coil in a magnetic field to create an electrical. The system is the exact reverse of a conventional loudspeaker, which changes an electrical signal to air pressure waves.
Amongst the challenges with these processes is getting the mechanical and electrical parts to behave as cleanly as possible, with no resonances to cause peaks or notches in the sound.
The mic/speaker designers will do their best to minimise any such resonances, but there will always be some.
Resonances in this context are like a weights on springs. When you put energy into them they bounce around, and once they start, they can continue for some time unless there is something to take the energy out again.
A car has the same problem and car makers solve it with shock absorbers "damping" the bounce.
In a mic/speaker, the diaphragm, its support and the air around them will form part of that damping. There's also the coil within the microphone that acts as a kind of spring in an electrical sense. There are actually several different little resonances in every such assembly.
One of the few places left after that mechanical damping for a microphone to get rid of the energy in that resonance is to dissipate it into the load resistance, so the load resistance is a significant part of the damping.
The microphone designer will plan that the final resonances will be damped as best they can be with a particular load resistance, but as is obvious, load resistances vary, so all they really can do is to aim for a "best chance" load.
Years and years ago, telephone designers discovered that telephone wire pairs have natural impedance(*) of around 600 Ohms, and as early microphones often had quite long cables from mic to pre-amp, it made sense to use that natural impedance as best one could.
For ideal signal transmission, the three components, mic, cable and pre-amp, would all have the same impedance, but in practice that's not really necessary and it also happens that matching too well is usually not ideal for sound quality.
A kind of consensus formed for a microphone impedance of around 300 Ohms, the cable at around 600 Ohms and the pre-amp around 1500 to 2000 Ohms.
The final piece of the equation is how much of that damping the listener wants. Should the microphone sound bright (lower damping) or dull (higher damping)?
Condenser microphone have their own pre-amp, so little of the above applies to them.
(*)Impedance is approximately analogous to resistance, but accounts for the effects of capacitance and inductance in the circuit.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 51
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,418
Posts804,675
Members40,121
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean