I remember answering Rich Powers' question about the Sean Cuthbert processor but I can't find the post now. Must have forgot to click reply and exited. Or I just can't find it.
I did some tinkering and changed the switch position on the back that controls the threshold.
Seemed to fix the bug I was having. Working fine with AM. Will have to hope it's good with FM also. The LED VU meters on the Sean Cuthbert show left and right input and output and the output with the compression can be seen staying mostly constant while the input varies fast with the audio. It's doing what it's supposed to do. It also controls the bass, mid, treble separately with the 3 band compression. The release is separate for the 3 bands also.
I actually like the Sean Cuthbert best vs the Schlockwood. Personal opinion. Mainly because small and lightweight, simple unbalanced RCA jacks left and right input and output vs the balanced TS(tip sleeve) mono output from the Schlockwood that requires a wiring/circuit board mod to work with the unbalanced two channel inputs of transmitters and works on a common 12 volts not needing an uncommon 18 volts isolated power supply.
I actually like the Sean Cuthbert best vs the Schlockwood. Personal opinion. Mainly because small and lightweight, simple unbalanced RCA jacks left and right input and output vs the balanced output TS mono output from the Schlockwood that requires a wiring/circuit board mod to work with the unbalanced two channel inputs of transmitters and works on a common 12 volts not needing an uncommon 18 volts isolated power supply.
I'm just the opposite, I'd prefer the balanced outputs as that's what the Rangemaster calls for, this allowing a direct connection.
I still presume (I have no experience with either unit) but I tend to suspect the Schlockwood would be the better engineered unit, considering the lucrative engineering history of the man who designed it. But... the uncommon power supply still frustrates off-grid applications.
@mark Your observations seem to imply, from a compatibility standpoint (balanced vs unbalanced connections), that the Culbert processor is more adapt for the Procaster, whereas the Schlockwood more compatible for the Rangemaster
@richpowers The output of a computer, like most most audio sources, is a 2 channel unbalanced TRS stereo output. It can be a tape deck, MP3 player, whatever, same scenario.
Here's what happens. The audio input to the Procaster, is through the studio interface which takes a TRS(tip ring sleeve) stereo audio from the computer or another processor and converts the input signal by mixing the 2 channels and giving a mono balanced TS audio out to the Procaster. But...if the input to the studio interface is already a mono balanced signal and the input tries to mate the two it will cancel it out and it won't work. There will be no audio. This also applies to the Decade MS-100, even the mono version as the input is stereo unbalanced to accept audio from all sources( I was using the Schlockwood with FM also)
The Procaster also like the Rangemaster takes a mono balanced signal directly to the transmitter but the studio/processor part that delivers the audio to the transmitter converts the input to a mono balanced output to the transmitter. You can have input from all sources.
The input to the Schlockwood accepts the 2 channel unbalanced audio from a computer, tape deck, MP3, whatever else and the Schlockwood does the conversion to the mono balanced out.
By the way, this just came to me. The Rangemaster gets the power and audio similar to the Procaster through 4 conductor shielded cable connected by a terminal block inside the cabinet just as the Procaster. I have seen on their site that there's a similar small box that you need to get with the Rangemaster that takes the unbalanced audio from most sources and does what the Procaster studio does and the 4 conductor cable then takes the mono balanced signal and the power to the transmitter outside.
You can't go directly from the Schlockwood to the Rangemaster either. You need a separate part just like the Procaster as demonstrated in this video....You will see in the video that the Rangemaster needs the studio part the same as the Procaster. So with the Rangemaster you'd have the same problem without doing the mod with the Schlockwood. Jim Wood told me how to alter the output of the Schlockwood to work with unbalanced inputs. It's the one and only flaw with it. You can't go from a mono balanced output to an unbalanced TRS input.
@mark Yes I realize the output from the computer is 2 channel unbalanced (unless using a DAC to sum and balance) but I had misunderstood you completely earlier. I thought you meant the Procaster accepted an unbalanced connection and the Culbert provided that. But now I see what your saying is the Culbert accepts an unbalanced signal, whereas the Schlockwood can only accept a balanced input signal.
Well... I usually always had a mixer between the computer and the process gear, and that mixer sent balanced feed to the gear,
When I used the Aphex processing gear it provided the balanced input (same as most any processor) for the Rangemaster to accept. Otherwise, without a mixer or processor to balance it then it requires the little circuit gadget accessory that comes with the Rangemaster. I have a couple of them on hand now, but rarely have had the need for them in the past.
Anyway, I completely misunderstood you earlier
@richpowers You said
"I thought you meant the Procaster accepted an unbalanced connection and the Culbert provided that. But now I see what your saying is the Culbert accepts an unbalanced signal, whereas the Schlockwood can only accept a balanced input signal."
Not quite....half right.
The Schlockwood can accept a balanced mono OR an unbalanced L+R input from source. It is set by a jumper. So if the input to the Schlockwood is from a computer it has to be set to unbalanced input. It can input both. It outputs a mono balanced audio (mono) for the transmitter.
The Cuthbert has simply via RCA jacks unbalanced input and output.
Here's a picture of the Cuthbert in and out....
Here's the rear of the Schlockwood...
@mark Earlier you said concerning the Schlockwood "It's the one and only flaw with it. You can't go from a mono balanced output to an unbalanced TRS input."
I'm really missing something here.. In what situation would you ever want the processor to feed to an unbalanced TRS input? You've already pointed out that both the Procaster and Rangemaster call for a balanced input.. So why would you ever need it to go from a mono balanced output to an unbalanced TRS input??
I feel like you must be making perfect sense, but for some reason I'm having a hard time comprehending what you mean.. I'm sure it's just me, something just isn't clicking into place, what am I Missing here?
@richpowers You never want to go from a balanced output to an unbalanced input. It's the other way around.
All the transmitters we use have to be able to accept audio from all sources like computers, tape decks, turntables, MP3 players etc.
In the case of the Procaster and the Rangemaster that takes a balanced mono audio you need the extra piece as you know that comes with the Rangemaster that takes the audio from the computer for example and converts it to the balanced audio for the transmitter.
The Schlockwood having a balanced output by default isn't compatible with the unbalanced inputs that allow the transmitters to operate from all audio sources like computers.
So that's why Jim Wood, maker of the Schlockwood, had to show me the mods needed for it to work. I did it on the circuit board of the Sclockwood, but it can be done with rewiring the audio cables if you can access the wiring.
@richpowers You never want to go from a balanced output to an unbalanced input. It's the other way around.
Yes, I know, that was my point. You said the Schlockwood's only flaw is that it can't go "from a mono balanced output to an unbalanced TRS input." - So that's why I asked why would you ever want to.
All the transmitters we use have to be able to accept audio from all sources like computers, tape decks, turntables, MP3 players etc.
In the case of the Procaster and the Rangemaster that takes a balanced mono audio you need the extra piece as you know that comes with the Rangemaster that takes the audio from the computer for example and converts it to the balanced audio for the transmitter.
Yes, but you only need that "extra piece" adapter if, and only if you do not using a processor or a mixer, which by design almost always output a balanced signal on their own, right? So the adapter is only needed if your computer is directly connected to the transmitter.
The Schlockwood having a balanced output by default isn't compatible with the unbalanced inputs that allow the transmitters to operate from all audio sources like computers. ....
You see - again you seem to be specifying that the Procaster wants an unbalanced input, which controdicts what you said a minute ago about the Procaster requiring a balanced input.
Is it just me?
@richpowers I said it wrong! My mistake. Here's what I meant.
You can't go from a balanced output to an unbalanced input. It doesn't work. and visa versa. And that is the whole issue with the Schlockwood as designed. That's why the mod to it's output is needed to work with our transmitters. I asked Jim Wood back when when this came up and he told me when telling me how to get around it he mentioned the Rangemaster and thought that you go directly into the transmitter from the Schlockwood but that as we know isn't the case. He may not have known that it accepts inputs from all sources and there's a studio interface that delivers the audio via 4 conductor cable. I suggested to him that this is a flaw and it should be jumper selectable so the output can be able to be unbalanced or balanced.
The Procaster and the Rangmaster takes directly a balanced input BUT....in order to accept audio from normal sources the studio interface that sends the audio to the transmitters takes the unbalanced source and converts it to the balanced mono audio for the transmitter.
You said and I quote... So the adapter is only needed if your computer is directly connected to the transmitter.
Yes but the way you get the audio to the transmitter is through a 4 conductor shielded cable so you need the little extra piece to receive the audio and get it to the transmitter. That extra piece receives the normal audio and converts it for the transmitter. Bottom line. You can't go from the Schlockwood directly to the Rangemaster without the extra studio piece either as you need the extra thing for the 4 conductor cable. You need to make the mod.
This is getting too complicated! I don't know how to explain it any better.
This is getting too complicated! I don't know how to explain it any better.
Mark, I don't know the Schlockwood, but you have confirmed it has balanced outputs (as expected from any processor), therefore there is no purpose in using the adapter too, it would be redundant to do so.
My prior install went from my pc to my mixer (Yamaha) which provided an output balanced signals to feed my Aphex Compeller/Dominator pair which also produces balanced outputs and that is what fed directly to the audio input of the Rangemaster.
The audio adapter circuitry board therefore was not used because the processing chain had already served that purpose.
That little audio adapters primary purpose is to create a balanced signal for the transmitter from an unbalanced source. If using processing gear you don't need the adapter.
Now if I just made an ass of myself by stating nonsense, then I guess I'll have to eat the embarrassment, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct.
You can't go directly from the Schlockwood to the Rangemaster either. You need a separate part just like the Procaster as demonstrated in this video....You will see in the video that the Rangemaster needs the studio part the same as the Procaster. So with the Rangemaster you'd have the same problem without doing the mod with the Schlockwood. Jim Wood told me how to alter the output of the Schlockwood to work with unbalanced inputs. It's the one and only flaw with it. You can't go from a mono balanced output to an unbalanced TRS input.
You totally can connect the output of the SW200 to a Rangemaster without any kind of a conversion box/interface, or whatever it's called. I've been running my SW200/Rangemaster setup this way for several years now with no problem. The XLR and TRS jacks on the back of the SW200 provide for either balanced or unbalanced outputs with no internal mods necessary; details are in the manual. My SW200 balanced output directly feeds the balanced audio input of the Rangemaster. No "studio interface" necessary. Similarly, the input jacks can accommodate either balanced or unbalanced inputs.
The XLR and TRS input and output jacks on the SW200 can accommodate either balanced or unbalanced signals. In my case, I am feeding my SW200 with an unbalanced input, and taking a balanced output from it.
(PS - I haven't had time to read this entire thread in detail, so apologies if any subsequent posts were made that clarified your statement @mark. I'm jumping in and out. Kinda busy right now.)
@rugster I get you can go from the Schlockwood directly to the Rangemaster as balanced out to balanced in. The reason I thought you can't in this case as the TRS audio cable or XLR whatever doesn't connect directly to the Rangemaster via a typical 1/4 TRS or XLR audio cable. It is like the Procaster through a studio part that takes the power and audio and converts it to the run of whatever length of 4 conductor cable that you have to wire up from terminal blocks between the studio part to the transmitter.
That's why I thought you can't go directly from the Schlockwood with a regular audio cable.
Here's a picture. Output from processor and power to studio interface which then outputs to 4 conductor cable with balanced audio to the transmitter.
![DSCN1250[1]](https://part15.org/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/attachments/8363/684-DSCN12501.JPG "DSCN1250[1]")
![DSCN1251[1]](https://part15.org/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/attachments/8363/685-DSCN12511.JPG "DSCN1251[1]")
Got it @mark. The studio interface that comes with the Rangemaster is only necessary if you want to feed the transmitter with unbalanced audio. It has two 3.5mm stereo jacks, one of which is designed to take unbalanced audio from an 8 ohm source (a speaker or headphone jack), while the other one is for unbalanced line level audio. Both inputs will sum stereo to mono. The interface, as you know, also allows the user to plug in the AC adaptor, and has screw terminals for connecting the power to the single cable that feeds the transmitter with both balanced audio and power. Anyone who's reasonably familiar with such things can cook up their own interface; using the Hamilton-provided interface is not a must. I cooked up my own ersatz "interface", by soldering the ends of the 4 conductor balanced cable that feeds the Rangemaster to two things -
1) a DC power connector that I can plug the provided AC adapter into (off the top of my head, I think it's a standard 2.1mm x 5.5mm coaxial connector).
2) a balanced cable, the other end of which has an XLR connector for plugging into the output of the SW200.
I'd post a picture of my makeshift "interface" but it's stuffed away behind a bookcase, working 24/7!
. I cooked up my own ersatz "interface", by soldering the ends of the 4 conductor balanced cable that feeds the Rangemaster to two things -
1) a DC power connector that I can plug the provided AC adapter into (off the top of my head, I think it's a standard 2.1mm x 5.5mm coaxial connector).
2) a balanced cable, the other end of which has an XLR connector for plugging into the output of the SW200.
I'd post a picture of my makeshift "interface" but it's stuffed away behind a bookcase, working 24/7!
That's basically what I did, attached and XLR connector to the audio feed going to the Rangemaster and simply plugged that into the back of the Dominator.. I just remembered I also tied in there somewhere one of those little RDL audio combiner for summing to mono.. forgot all about that til just now.. my recollection is a little fuzzy but seems I cut some XLR cables to splice it in where it came out the processor to go into the RDL before going to the Rangemaster on a single cable