Ken, I did a little more research and think I'm getting a grasp on this..
By the way, you're correct that the Rangemaster requires a balanced input, and I think I understand your previous post better now.. but wonder if it could be simplified..
O.K. , looking at the specifications of my equipment..
The mixer has all balanced outputs except for "CH INSERT OUT" which is an unbalanced output.
The equalizer - balanced or unbalanced
The exciter - unbalanced only
The Compellor - balanced or unbalanced
The Dominator - balanced only
The transmitter - requires a balanced input
So now I see these options..
Since the only unbalanced unit is the EXCITER...
[1] I need to sell my Exciter and replace it with a model that is a balanced unit...
OR..
[2] I need to run the whole chain unbalanced until it gets to the Compellor or Dominator, at which point I would need a adapter before it.
Then I could simply run a straight chain down one channel
Am I right?
And if I am, which is my best option?
If I'm wrong, then what am I not considering?
Hi Rich, glad to see you back, I was feeling terrible ... thought I'd run you off ...
"So now I see these options..
Since the only unbalanced unit is the EXCITER...
[1] I need to sell my Exciter and replace it with a model that is a balanced unit..."
That's not the problem and here's why: It should go into the mix, not after it, however you do it. This piece of gear manipulates harmonic distortion, EQ, Phasing, etc. What's good for one input signal may not be good for another, nor for the whole mix. You want to control what it does to individual channels before it gets to final output. At the same time you eliminate it in the outbound chain, so there is no bal/unbal issue with it.
There are several solutions for getting it into the mixer for use. I can walk you through it if needed. Even though it's old, if it still does its job, it can enhance your signal, especially for voice presence.
From what I can deduce, your biggest problem is getting the mixer output to be balanced mono. I've found it difficult to find solutions that aren't way expensive or require homebrew. I'm glad my board already has balanced mono out, but that doesn't help you.
No Ken, I didn't run off and my feelings weren't hurt! My comments were in jest, even though a degree of the frustration was accurate.
Just needed to break from it , it was getting messy!
From what I can deduce, your biggest problem is getting the mixer output to be balanced mono.
Well, if I half to get some adapter, I will, a used ebay something; -- But remember I do have a RDL audio combiner, and as described earlier, splicing in the RDL audio combiner right after the mixer (which outputs are balanced), solves that problem....Right? (right???)
I somewhere, somehow, picked up an assumption that all the processing gear naturally went after the mixer - I don't know where that idea got in my head,.. but now, what you are telling me doesn't seem so confusing..
So by routing the exciter INTO the mixer as you say.. and the mixer output being balanced- well, now I'm beginning to see no problem at all... Where's the problem?
(It all seemed so much worse the other day)
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Hey, that's insulting to cavemen!
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Heh-heh ... Say .... can I buy in on the, umm, Ground floor?
Seriously, Sonifex (UK) makes a whole slew of stuff in their Redbox line. Lots of mixer source selectors and mic amps and limiters, with connectors for digital devices, etc. One of these things is what must surely be the modern definitive balanced stereo to mono device:
http://www.sonifex.co.uk/redbox/rbsm1_ld.shtml
I'm sure it works very well, but the price is scary ... 'bout 350 bucks!
Notice it's not a rack-mount device. Instead it looks like it should be bolted down to the floor wall, whatever.
$350.. wowser... Nope!
Ken, I thought I had the stereo to mono conversion covered with the RDL STD Passive Audio Divider/Combiner - 10 kΩ, which I do already have. Isn't this enough to properly do the trick?? Shown here: http://www.rdlnet.com/product.php?page=87
Forgot something.. concerning the order of my equipment..
Someone told me I had the order wrong and should be doing it as such:
Mixer - Compellor - Equalizer - Dominator - Exciter.
I'm unclear why they think this.. To me, it appears to create more problem due to the Exciter being the unbalanced unit, but they say it doesn't matter.. (sigh) So many opinions.
One other thing.. Not that I plan to get one immediately, but should I be looking in to incorporating a gate/limiter into my chain?, or does the Cpmpellor/Dominator combo pretty well have that covered.
Not looking to purchasing one right now, but wonder if it's something I should plan on in the future.
Well, if this was a commercial station with $17000/mo income, I'd not think twice, but for a microstation? ... Makes little sense.
Sure, try the STD. I don't think you can hurt anything but you might want to check with Mr. Hamilton.
It's passive ... loses 3db, but hopefully your mixer input gain and volume out will recover it without further distortion.
(sigh) So many opinions.
Well I should quote a famous engineer (sci-fi) who so elegantly stated while assisting his fellow crew mates of stealing something really big as well as sabotaging another big thing......
"The more they overtake the plumbing..the easier it is to stop up the drain".
Scotty...Star Trek III The Wrath of Khan.
Point here is that by placing so much processing after your mixer...which btw is analog and will have inherent noise floor, as well as the rest of the equipment in the chain..that noise floor will be amplified and processed along with the actual noise you want to be sending out (actual audio). During low level audio or silence, you will hear this as the all to familiar "hiss" noise bouncing in and out (bucketing). This is where a gate processor comes in handy.
However even with a gate processor, if there is so much noise floor in the chain, you would have to adjust that gate so heavy that during those low level audio portions of the programing, it could get muted right out and your audio will be chopped every time a low level audio goes through..such as during a song fading out..it wont fade out..it will get cut off by the gate. You could install this gate processor right after the mixer, but what about the noise floor in the rest of the analog processing equipment after that???
Indeed so many choices..but as I said earlier in a post...is it really necessary to have 5 miles of gear in front of a transmitter when 1 or 2 can do the job nicely?
Practicality and realistic considerations should be at the forefront of your project.
RFB