Recording with profex

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

While recording recently ,and in the past several different engineers have commented on how noisy my profex was,and wanted me to go straight into the desk without the Profex, and went on to say they found this problem with a lot of Peavey products.Have any of you guys out there encountered similar problems? I have checked all cables,pedal,and power connections and could find no fault with them.I even changed cables and volume pedal but they still said there was a lot of white noise. Any ideas on subject would be welcome .I have used my profex on stage for a few years and never had any noise problems with it, could it be something I am doing wrong (settings etc) or is it as these guys say ,a problem with this brand of product.Mike Brown's comments would be appreciated as he has went out of his way to help with any questions I have had.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

FWIW, I've had the same problem with trying to use my Digitech Quad4 in the studio, but some guys had told me that there wasn't this problem with the Profex/Transtubefex. I'll be watching this thread closely!

John Hawkins · From: Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston * R.I.P.

Jim ,

I play through a Quad 4 too and have had no complaints so far from the studio folks . Maybe that is to come later but so far so good . My Digitech is patched in with Gerry Walker's Stereo Steel Combo pre-amp / amp that has 2 Lo-Z out cable connections in the back that takes you straight to the board which includes the Digitech effects .

It is as quiet as a mouse on the cuts as far as I know . I have not been told otherwise .

Maybe your noise has to do with patch cables?

Hope you find the source of your noise .

John

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

Most of the digital preamp/multi FX units out there have some kind of noise when run direct. Try asking the engineer(nicely)to try bypassing the EQ section of his board and turn the trim (input gain) way down to see if it might improve things. Then try padding your output on your unit to match the board. Also try adjusting some of the noisier effect in the chain like compression, EQ etc. At least then he should be able to see how you want your basic sound to be if he still forces you to plug straight in. This usually works for me on most pop country or jazzy "padding" type sessions, but if they
want classic country steel sounds, just have them record your amp.

[This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 07 June 2003 at 03:05 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Malcolm
What kind of noise did you hear?

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

I agree with Rick. This output level is line level, not instrument level. If it is pr-amped again it will be noisey. Also, you can upgrade the 4 IC chips in the analog section to Burr Brown chips and get a better signal to noise ratio. It a cheap and easy fix, just unplug the old 4558 chips and plug in the new ones. If you are using the effects loops, you will need two kits, as there are 4558 chips in there as well. The 4558 chip is the industry standard IC op-amp. It is in nearly anyones products (even a Tubescreamer!). The Burr Brown chips are a nice upgrade that you make make yourself. The kit is quite inexpensive (from Peavey).

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Earnest, noise was background hiss, what I would call white noise.Thanks guys any information is welcome.Rick how are you?met you in Glasgow when my band did support for Heather.Malcolm

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Engineers and musicians who do not prefer to use Peavey gear sometimes make unfounded statements. However, I also agree with Rick and his suggestions. I have spoken with many studio musicians who have recorded direct from their Profex II, Transtube Fex or Tubefex and they no problems using it in the same application.

However, if you will call me toll free at 1-877-732-8391 with your Profex II hooked to your amp, I'll show you how to check for premature clipping, etc..

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Thanks Mike will be in touch.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I have used the Profex ll in a lot of different venues including studio work in different studios without any problems. I have been using Peavey equipment for 30+ years and have not had any piece of equipment fail. Best regards, Jody.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Well let's see
I just tried the Tube FEX direct on 3 or 4 songs. E9 and C6.
At VERY loud levels it has a slight computer shielding buzz/ ring, but at reasonable levels it is not noticable. I never noticed it in the amp the last few weeks. I have seen many other boxes with this same type of noise.

It's main problem with going line in direct, it was foolishly made with only -10 dbm line output.
Ok for many live consoles, but that's far from preferable.
Since pro consoles and interfaces run at +4 dbm this is a 14 dbm low signal. I had to put in an Eq patch and use it as a 10+ level compensator. But the signal on disk is still quite low.
It says it has 90 db signal to noise ratio, but at -10 on a +4 console this is another -14 dbm loss from that possible 90 db. Relative to the interfaces SN ratio.

So yes I can see an engineer saying it's noisy
Too noisy to use? well that depends on the type of mix. As an up front solo in a mix, it is ok, as a solo instrument at full overall band volume it might be an issue.
So I am still happy I got it as a primary use live unit, and I will record with it.
But I can understand certain engineers objections for the Profex, which I have been told is noisier than the Tube FEX. (hearsay)

Now for Mike Browns peace of mind, I will note.
I have just tried this unit direct this evening for the 1st time.
The unit was bought used, but from a reputable person.
I tested it without the tube stage and also with the tube stage 1st. Tubes are noisier than no tubes.
The unit is new to me, but I have owned many different studio and live boxes. So I am familiar with programing and ajusting most anything... I have built and outfitted several studios including this one.

Overall I am happy with the unit.
And this is just one opinion based on my observations this one evening.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 13 June 2003 at 02:09 PM.]

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I've been recording nearly exclusively with Peavey ProFex II and Transtubefex units for years now, and I'm still amazed by the variation in engineering interaction I see. One engineeer will ask me if I can give him more level, the next will ask if I can pad it down. Rick's suggestions are right on the money- if the engineer runs your line output into another preamp stage, you'll get added noise. In many smaller studios they've got a nice preamp or two that they just HAVE to run everything through. If it's sounding noisy, ask 'em to try a clean line input, with the pad down. There's a near infinite variation in the imput stages of all the different studio boards as far as impedance, headroom, noise floor... a little experimentation should give acceptable results. Many of the high-end mic preamps have a dedicated line input. I've had a high percentage of clean tracks with the Peavey gear over hundreds of sessions. You do have to be careful of the gain staging, with so many places in the signal chain where you can add or subtract level. A great learning curve thang is to find your quietest patch, and really look at the gain staging throughout, then do the same with your noiseier patches. You'll probably figure a lot out right there.

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