ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
ADA Preamps => Original MP-1 => Topic started by: Luke Gibson on September 05, 2016, 12:23:02 AM
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Hi Guys, I ordered one and hope to get it in a few days. I want to keep my MP-1 tone as pure as possible. I don't like using the Intellifex in the loop, I prefer to run it stereo with the A & B outputs of the MP-1. When only using the MP-1 & Power Amp it sounds great, adding the Intellifex changes it.......
ADA MP-1 -> Intellifex (Blackface) -> BBE 442A -> VHT 2/50/2 (Running Stereo)
Can someone make a simple diagram or explain how to connect the ART SplitMix4 passive mixer with the Intellifex and BBE?
I've never used one but sort of understand the concept. In my mind it's a wet/dry setup where you mix dry signal A & 100% wet signal B and sum them for mono but I'm running stereo......
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Hey Luke, MikeB uses the ART Split mix in his rig. They work well but you get some level drop as it's a passive device. If you search through my posts (and/or MikeBs) (profile > Show Posts) we posted quite a bit about it IIRC.
It takes a few reads of the specs to get your head around it. You'll need a bunch of insert leads TRS (stereo jack) > 2 x TS (mono) jacks.
All the split mix in/outs are stereo (TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve)).
It has a Splitter bus and a Mixer bus, the first TRS jacks on each bus are the "main" input/output (http://artproaudio.com/mixers/product/splitmix4/)
So to patch your Intellifex (BTW run Intelliflex full wet):
MP1 out A/B > (2 x TS > TRS) Splitter Input
Splitter output (pick one of them, lets use #4) > (TRS > 2 x TS) InFX L/R in
InFX L/R out > (2 x TS > TRS) > Mixer Input (pick one, note: it can't be #4) lets use #3 (vol pot for #3 is now InFX level)
Mixer Output > (TRS > 2 x TS) poweramp
Mike will correct this if I'm wrong (it's been a while :facepalm: ) I think you also need to turn up one of the unused vols to get the MP1 dry signal (Splitter Input) to the Mixer Output (say #1 or #2 in this example) as the Splitter outputs directly link internally to their corresponding Mixer inputs when no jack is plugged into either of them.
You can put the BBE between the mixer and the poweramp if you really want to use it (consensus here IIRC is why use a BBE :dunno: , I've never used one).
You'll probably need to turn the MP1 output up a bit due to level drop in Splitmix.
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RNolan, thank you very much for the reply! It will take a bit to wrap my head around it for sure but seems like a good way to do what I want. I PM'd MikeB hopefully he won't mind.....
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....I'm undecided on the BBE btw. I think at bedroom volume maybe ok, at stage volume I prefer it off. ON - the BBE "appears" to remove some or move the mids to a different place. I keep the LO-CONTOUR @ 1:00 and the DEFINITION @ 9:30 - 10:00
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Hey Luke, I'm sure Mike wont mind :thumb-up: . Initially he was just mixing in (in parallel) his GMaj to keep the MP1 analogue all the way to the poweramp. Unfortunately, he then lost the CC master vol control from the GMaj as he wasn't chaining through it anymore with that set up. He's since modified it a little but he can tell you about that. The biggest improvement though was the MDRT (transformer) upgrade. His rig is now sounding the best ever (he has my old MP1 which I used for years so I know it well, and I get to hear it every Friday night..).
With the BBE, you could start a thread here (To BBE or not to BBE (or some-such)) as other members have used them and can offer their thoughts.
The split mix takes a bit to understand all it's possibilities, it's a very versatile gadget.
What you plug into the Splitter (bus) Input is then available at the 4 splitter bus outputs (these link internally to their corresponding Mixer Inputs if no jack plugged into them). So they are like passive FX sends.
What you plug into the Mixer (bus) inputs gets mixed (via the channel vols) to the Mixer Output. But (for some reason I don't quite remember) once you take a Splitter Bus output (say #4) you can't use it's corresponding Mixer Bus input. Initially I thought you could, but for some reason (Mike may remember why) you can't.
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I'm using it successfully to mix the stereo outputs of 4 guitar synths.
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Thank you GuitarBuilder! I'm looking forward to getting mine going.... Curious what brand of TRS x 2 TS cables you use?
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Hey Luke, if you handy with a soldering iron you might think about making them yourself ? Depending where you mount it (e.g. Mike has his cable tied to a rack tray along with his GCS3) you may want different lengths.
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Thanks again Mr. Nolan! I am handy with a soldering iron, actually love to build cables and stuff..... I'm not sure where I will mount the SplitMix, most likely similar to Mike.
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Just gotta get a couple of big essays out of the way and then I'll throw in my two cents.
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Just gotta get a couple of big essays out of the way and then I'll throw in my two cents.
Hey Mike, can you post a few camera shots (when you get time), very neat they way you've done it :thumb-up:
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Update:
The SplitMix4 seems to do the trick. Being a passive device it does have limitations, the volume knob interactions bother me... I may spring for a small rack mount mixer in the future with discrete control over the devices connected to it.
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Cool, glad it worked out. There are a couple of 1RU line mixers available, though they don't have many FX sends
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The ART MX-822 is a really nice low-cost 1U option. And it has an effects loop! :banana-skipping-rope-smiley-e :banana-skipping-rope-smiley-e
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I'll stick with the Rane SM-82 ;D
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The Behringer ULTRALINK PRO MX882 Rack Mixer/Splitter/Submixer also has potential if you just wanted 1 send. Or the Alesis Multimix 8 LINE Rackmount Mixer would do the job, again just 1 stereo send. The Rane SM-82 looks good but discontinued and very expensive in Australia if you can find one.
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Thank you gentlemen, I will research all of these..... :thumb-up:
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Hey Richard,
I know the SM-82 is cost prohibitive in Australia, partly because they are discontinued, and partly because of availability, but they are available here on ebay for some reasonable prices. My preference towards them comes from owning several other Rane pieces, and their durability. Their equipment is built like military grade, and can take just about anything you can throw at it and keep working.
Harley 8)
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Hey Richard,
I know the SM-82 is cost prohibitive in Australia, partly because they are discontinued, and partly because of availability, but they are available here on ebay for some reasonable prices. My preference towards them comes from owning several other Rane pieces, and their durability. Their equipment is built like military grade, and can take just about anything you can throw at it and keep working.
Harley 8)
What era were these made Harley?
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Hi LG,
I believe the SM-82 came out in the late 80's following the success of the SM-26 Splitter/Mixer. I have 2 of those, and they were very popular in larger racks for creating and/or blending multiple signal paths in a rack. I think both of these units were discontinued around the late 90's.
Harley 8)
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Thanks Harley, much appreciated!
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No problem LG,
Something worth noting about Rane, even though these units are discontinued, Rane still supports them. They will repair anything they made, and they stand by all of their products, past and present.
As far as technical support, they are very knowledgeable about helping use their equipment with all other brands, even ADA. That's another reason I would recommend their rack line level mixers.
Harley 8)
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Are both the SM-26 and 82 Stereo?
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Yes Luke,
Both have L/R inputs and outputs, however, the are not the same type of units. I'll try to give a brief description of how they work.
The SM-26 is a splitter/mixer, so you can take two signals in, and split them into three stereo outs with independent level and pan control on each channel. You can also do the reverse, six mono channels in, mixed into a stereo out, with the same controls. You can also use it to mix six in, six out if you wanted to, with level and pan control to each channel. This is why it's known as the Swiss Army Knife of splitter/mixers.
That is the original SM-26 which has a brown face panel, and is hard-wired with an AC cord. The later model, the SM-26B, uses the wall wart power supply, and has a black face panel. this does all of the same things as the older model with one added feature. The SM-26B has jumpers in it you can change to split it 2 X 8, or 8 X 2. the upgrade will allow you to use the Master In/Master Out as level controls for these additional mixes, but with no Pan control.
The SM-82 is a 1U rack 8-Channel Mixer. You can use that to mix four stereo, (8 Mono), signals into a stereo, (2 CH), line out. This gives you Level and Pan control on each channel, with an Aux Send/Return to each channel. This would be good if you wanted to mix four ADA preamps into a stereo effects chain before your power amps. Unfortunately, you can't split like the SM-26, it only works this one way. You can also use the Aux loop to parallel your stereo effects in the signal chain, and run all four preamps into one stereo poweramp.
I hope this is helpful.
Harley 8)
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Thank you for the replay, much appreciated Harley! :thumb-up: