Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

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w-u-2-o
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Wed Jun 07, 2023 5:24 pm

Welcome to the wonderful world of pro audio :)
WT4DX
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:37 am

My PreSonus Quantum 2 arrived yesterday and looking at the I/O for the word clock, the BNCs appear to be 75 Ohm connectors as the manual is calling for a 75 Ohm cable, “A 75Ω BNC word clock cable is required to achieve proper sync.

Most of the GPSDO devices that I've seen thus far have 50 Ohm connectors.

For the PreSonus owners, how do you mitigate the impedance mismatch or is it negligible in this configuration?


73,
Tem
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:46 am

It's negligible.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:48 am

w-u-2-o wrote:It's negligible.

That was my initial thought.

Thanks again!

Tem
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Re: GPSDO Tutorial?

Postby WT4DX » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:57 am

One more question. Using the Leo Bodnar as the example, why is 48kHz the go to rate on clocking the PreSonus?

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Fri Jun 09, 2023 12:27 pm

Moved your post because it was an audio specific question rather than a GPSDO specific question.

The answer is that all internal processing in Thetis is at 48KHz, so from a signal quality perspective there is no advantage to running higher sample rates.

Running at 48KHz AND phase locked also allows one to bypass the VAC resampler (use the "force" check boxes).

Theoretically it's possible to achieve less buffer latency at higher sample rates but the effort to do this is probably not worth it and you need a pretty fast computer, too.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Fri Jun 09, 2023 12:50 pm

Thanks again!

Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Sat Jun 10, 2023 2:09 am

What are the approximate dBm input level limitations for the PreSonus and the ANAN from a GPSDO?

I can't find a published number.

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Sun Jun 11, 2023 12:03 pm

There's nothing published. Look in the GPSDO topic for guidance, the numbers for Apache are there.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:47 pm

I reached out to PreSonus and they didn't have a hard number for an input limitation on the clock. They did state that they assume it could be +15dBm for the clock input, as this is the maximum input level for the other inputs on the Quantum 2.

Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby W4WMT » Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:56 pm

My Bodnar drives my Presonus Studio 192 Mobile with no issues.
I think you'll be fine.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jun 13, 2023 12:00 pm

These are the settings I'm using with my Leo Bodnar MiniGPS to drive my Presonus Studio 192 Mobile:

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K8EZB
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby K8EZB » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:09 pm

Just purchased a PreSonus 192 Mobile on Reverb in "new" condition for $175 (including the WU2O seal of approval!); as represented and works well. There are several of these currently listed in the $200-$250 range, and some as high as $599.

https://reverb.com/p/presonus-studio-192-mobile-usb-3-dot-0-audio-interface

Rick
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby N1ZLE » Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:55 pm

K8EZB wrote:Just purchased a PreSonus 192 Mobile on Reverb in "new" condition for $175 (including the WU2O seal of approval!); as represented and works well. There are several of these currently listed in the $200-$250 range, and some as high as $599.

https://reverb.com/p/presonus-studio-192-mobile-usb-3-dot-0-audio-interface

Rick
K8EZB


Congratulations! An excellent recommendation from Scott! I purchased mine used from Reverb also about four years ago, and it's been rock solid. It feeds a pair of powered JBL Studio monitors and subwoofer on the output.
If it's not broke, fix it until it is :shock:
WT4DX
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:03 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:The whole phase locked thing is an expensive way to improve upon the VAC resampler system. What some (very few) people have done is use a Leo Bodnar GPSDO unit and programmed one output for 10MHz to go to the ANAN, and the other for 48KHz to go to the audio interface. But given the very large expense associated with a wordclock capable interface, I'd say it's not worth it for someone just starting out with digital audio.

There is a lengthy thread about GPSDO's here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2499

There is a very lengthy thread about the resampler and wordclocks here: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3901

As for the difference in preamp quality, those differences are almost certainly lost or wasted in an amateur radio context. Any of the pro USB interfaces are going to be head and shoulders above a "normal" ham radio mic preamp. No need to gild the lily any further at that point.


Are you using a 50/75 matching pad from you GPSDO for your Presonus? The manufacture indicates a 75 Ohm word clock cable is required to achieve proper sync.


73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:14 pm

The Presonus input is pretty tolerant. I'm just using a short piece of 50 Ohm coaxial cable. And I've already posted my settings above.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:16 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:The Presonus input is pretty tolerant. I'm just using a short piece of 50 Ohm coaxial cable. And I've already posted my settings above.


Thanks!!!

Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Tue Jul 18, 2023 11:12 am

Thoughts on this splitter for the input of two microphones with output to the W2IHY equipment for the ICOM radios, and output to the Presonus for the ANAN?

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Balance ... B0B6HR43SG

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w3ub » Tue Jul 18, 2023 11:34 am

I used one of these to allow a single microphone to drive ether the Anan or my TS890 with good results. It has multiple inputs as well, I don't see why it would not work.
Doug
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:57 pm

WT4DX wrote:Thoughts on this splitter for the input of two microphones with output to the W2IHY equipment for the ICOM radios, and output to the Presonus for the ANAN?

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Balance ... B0B6HR43SG

73,
Tem
WT4DX

That's a really cool gadget! :)
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby K1LSB » Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:44 pm

I'm curious whether it'll allow phantom power (for a condenser mic) to pass through.

Mark
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:52 pm

K1LSB wrote:I'm curious whether it'll allow phantom power (for a condenser mic) to pass through.

Mark


In the Q&A on Amazon they say, "It can pass phantom power to microphones. But it can only XLR to XLR, not XLR to RCA".

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby K1LSB » Tue Jul 18, 2023 6:42 pm

Thanks, Tem.

On an unrelated but scary note, per the weather link in your QRZ page I'm seeing the temperature at your QTH is 101 but the heat index is 120 -- and no breeze! Whew! :shock:

Mark

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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Tue Jul 18, 2023 7:25 pm

K1LSB wrote:Thanks, Tem.

On an unrelated but scary note, per the weather link in your QRZ page I'm seeing the temperature at your QTH is 101 but the heat index is 120 -- and no breeze! Whew! :shock:

Mark

Capture.PNG


It's oppressive here Mark, and it's like that day in and day out. I loath the Texas heat, and I'll chalk it up to Solar Cycle 25.

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Tue Jul 18, 2023 11:13 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:
WT4DX wrote:Taking the W2IHY equipment out of the equation, would a splitter such as this be a solution for interfacing the G2 and two ICOM radios to a single microphone? https://www.whirlwindusa.com/products/b ... l-splitter

You can't use the line level version. You have to use the mic level version:

https://www.whirlwindusa.com/products/s ... -splitters

However, if it were me I'd still go with a switch rather than a splitter. That way there is no potential for any signal degradation from any potential impedance mismatch from the isolation transformers. However, the Whirlwind splitters get great reviews so there's probably minimal risk.

Provided that this splitter will work, I'm making an assumption here below.

For the G2 the path would be microphone >splitter >direct output >ASIO interface >PC >G2?

That path will work fine.

For the two ICOM radios the microphone > splitter >isolated outputs >ACC Ports on the rigs?

There is still a missing piece, which is the necessity for a balanced to unbalanced transition into the ACC port. So you'll need to use a cheater cable, or use a real transformer unit (commonly known as a passive direct box). However, the W9IHY box will solve that problem for you, and while it isn't of much value with the G2, it is still much better than what is built into the Icom radios for audio tailoring. I'd continue to use it with the Icoms.


I just had a light bulb moment..... maybe.

I’m not familiar with the Presonus audio processing software yet, but would it be feasible to output audio processing from my Presonus Quantum via line out to ACC or via USB into the 7610 and do away with the W2IHY equipment altogether?


73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:24 am

I re-located this question to the IC-7610 Groups.io page, as it is more ICOM specific.

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby w-u-2-o » Wed Jul 19, 2023 1:40 am

You can take the output of the Presonus software and route it to a different audio interface, in this case the USB audio interface to the Icom, by using something like Voicemeeter or Matrix, both available from VB Audio.
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby WT4DX » Wed Jul 19, 2023 2:52 am

w-u-2-o wrote:You can take the output of the Presonus software and route it to a different audio interface, in this case the USB audio interface to the Icom, by using something like Voicemeeter or Matrix, both available from VB Audio.


AWESOME, and thanks again!!!

73,
Tem
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby Joe » Fri Jul 21, 2023 5:28 pm

Tem,
I believe you are using the presonus quantum 2 thunderbolt unit? What are your thoughts regarding latency, etc. How about compared to a usb unit? I am installing a thunderbolt adapter on my pc which is backward compatible to thunderbolt 2 with an adapter cable I believe. There are some pretty good prices on the quantum 2 right now I see. I also like the Apollo solo thunderbolt 3. Just thinking about interface options.

73’s
Joe
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Re: Microphone/ Audio Interface Options

Postby W4WMT » Fri Jul 21, 2023 11:14 pm

Joe wrote:Just thinking about interface options.

FYI another option:
Lynx Studio makes a nice line of PCIe audio interfaces that DMA your audio samples directly to/from the computer's data bus.
73,
Bryan W4WMT

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