MusicMadMax
Joined: 25/03/12
Posts: 15
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DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
#993275 - 17/06/12 06:38 PM
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Hi All, First, please forgive me, there was a topic I found via Google from a
few years ago asking a similar question but I couldn't find it to post in that thread...
so sorry for that. I'm going to get a Focusrite Saffire 6 audio interface and
was recommended to buy a DAV BG1 pre-amp to go with it. However, there was an article on SOS
which made the following two points:
Quote:
The output level is pretty high with intended peaks to +21dBu,
so this is not the ideal preamp to match with semi-professional recorders. Operating at a
lower output level, while obviously possible, is not recommended, as it will compromise
the noise performance significantly. So, professional recorders and A-D converters only
please!
Quote:
Don't even think about
partnering this preamp with a domestic DAT or Minidisc recorder, or any semi-professional
-10dBV recorder — even a lot of so-called professional equipment will struggle to deal
with transient peaks which reach above +20dBu.
Unfortunately, I'm very new to this whole recording malarky and
am somewhat baffled, especially when technical talk and numbers comes into it (probably
another apology due in there somewhere).
Cutting a long story brief (I know
you're all short on time), I would be very grateful to know whether the Saffire 6 will
work at all well with the BG1 or if the latter will be limited horribly by the former.
The tech specs (which I'm struggling to interpret) for both are here:
Focusrite Saffire 6
DAV BG1
If
anyone also happens to know, is the combination any good for miccing (sp.?) up an electric
guitar amp with a cheapo combination of an SM56 and SM57?
Thanks so much people
- very much appreciated. <3
Max
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5384
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#993276 - 17/06/12 06:48 PM
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In your shoes, I wouldn't bother with the BG1 as it is an unnecessary complication. Get
the Saffire first and the mic pres on that should last you until you need to change up to
something better. Any benefit of using the BG1 will be compromised by putting it through
those combi inputs as they will usually use the mic pre circuitry for gain which will
colour things slightly.
The only time you might want more than just the
Saffire is if you are using mics which require a lot of gain (expensive ribbons,etc).
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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twotoedsloth
Joined: 26/01/08
Posts: 474
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#993283 - 17/06/12 07:44 PM
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You might consider getting a Focusrite interface from the Scarlett line, as it appears
that firewire is fading away.
I have a DAV BG1 and I have to say, it is
dramatically better than the pres in my Yamaha O1V96, Scarlett 2i2, Mackie Onyx/VLZ3 and
MOTU Traveler. It's no better or worse than my Benchmark, Audient Mico and Sound Devices
USBPre2. Just different. I guess the point I am trying to make is that you won't ever
regret purchasing the DAV BG1. It will be useful long after any audio interface will have
to be retired, and if you do need to sell it, it is likely to retain its value.
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18541
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#993286 - 17/06/12 07:56 PM
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The DAV bg1 will be fine with the line inputs of your saffire, or any decent interface,
and offers a useful improvement on the mic preamps of that interface... If you have the
recording environment and sources to warrant it.
The issue is with semipro
devices that expect nominal levels of -10dBV. It's still possible to make the DAV work in
that situation, but you won't be getting the best from it which makes it a pointless
investment in that situation.
Hugh
--------------------
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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Ariosto
Joined: 04/05/08
Posts: 303
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#993446 - 18/06/12 04:36 PM
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I don't know if this is relevant (probably not) but I've just got two Royer R-101 ribbon
mics and I'm using the BG1 into a Tascam HD-P2 recorder and I'm getting very fine results.
Although the recording level is low at about 2 or 3 on the Tascam gain knob, I'm using the
DAV on nearly all of its input gain at around 3 O'clock or higher with no pad in use.
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Wease
Joined: 17/07/03
Posts: 1994
Loc: Sunny Walsall
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#993449 - 18/06/12 05:08 PM
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Hi Musicmadmax you said you were very new to this recording malarky.....so I
would really just stay with the focusrite for now I dont know who recommended
the dav to accompany the focusrite - salesman in the music store perhaps??? The
Dav is a very 'pro' end pre-amp - designed to get the most out of great mic's and great
rooms and accompany great converters etc etc The focusrite is an able device that is
simple...and a great device to learn recording on - when you get a great recording from
the focusrite, you'll know you're doing the right things. The DAV is excellent,
don't get me wrong, but probably overkill for what you want right now - which is a simple,
straight forward audio I/O device with serviceable mic pre's that will let you get on with
actual recording, rather than gear set-up....which is why i recommend just the focusrite
(you can always buy additional pre-amps later!)
-------------------- http://soundcloud.com/seaapes
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MusicMadMax
Joined: 25/03/12
Posts: 15
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#994499 - 24/06/12 02:54 PM
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Thank you all for your replies, I do appreciate it. Hugh mentioned the
importance of the recording room. Sadly my recording space will be a bedroom with little
opportunity for sound proofing, as I rent (perhaps there's another topic of discussion
here). However, I was viewing the BG1 as an investment and felt that as my requirements
progress, perhaps this would hold its own for a while. Yes, the BG1 was
recommended by a salesman, however he was kind enough to suggest he might lend one to me
to try before buying. So hopefully I'd be able to make an informed choice (within the
boundaries of my limited experience). Maybe I'll spend any surplus money on a
new guitar... 
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Bob Bickerton
active member
Joined: 20/12/02
Posts: 2549
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#994540 - 24/06/12 09:47 PM
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The DAV preamps are very good, but here's where I'd place it's importance when recording
electric guitar (which I glean is your area of interest):
Musicianship
Experience at recording/ mixing
Guitar quality
Guitar amp quality
Mic
selection and placement
Room acoustics (maybe this should be up one)
Preamp
selection
So only when you've sorted the top six, would it be worth investing
in better preamps.
From what you've said (and assuming you have a good
guitar and amp) I'd be thinking microphones and room acoustics long before preamps. You
could consider portable acoustic treatment.
Bob
-------------------- www.bickerton.co.nz
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5384
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#994560 - 25/06/12 06:49 AM
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The only 'big' changes that I have made to my room are hooks for hanging things. If the
worst comes to the worst, these can be taken out, holes filled and painted over. My room
sounds pretty nice. Oh, and I have a couple of reflexion filters that take it to insanely
dead sounding as well.
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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Ariosto
Joined: 04/05/08
Posts: 303
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#994565 - 25/06/12 08:09 AM
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If you close mic (say at about 1 foot or 1/3 metre) you will mostly lose the room sound,
but then you may need to add some small amount of artificial reverb if the sound is too
dry. (I sometimes add a little Pro-Tools plate reverb to just warm the sound up a bit, but
not sure how well this would work on a guitar).
You would possibly benefit then
with the DAV BG1 as you will get a clean signal into the recorder. (The DAV has excellent
qualities).
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MusicMadMax
Joined: 25/03/12
Posts: 15
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#1010626 - 28/09/12 09:51 PM
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I've got a DAV BG1 to test over the weekend with a Shure SM58, a Shure SM7B and my RME
Fireface UC.
People say the BG1 is quiet but when I plug it in I get a load
of noise - even when I turn the gain right down (near zero). I should mention that it
happens more with the SM7B (dynamic mic) than the SM58. Have tried pushing the buttons and
twiddling the knobs, but they all seem to do nothing (except occasionally make things
worse).
Anyone able to offer me some advice on how to get the best out of it
and the noise levels low?
Thanks,
Max
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Persuazion
Joined: 29/10/05
Posts: 1559
Loc: Scotland
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#1010636 - 28/09/12 11:06 PM
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Something odd going on there. The buttons are just for low cut and polarity reversal so
won't be doing anything dramatically audible. I'd say you should check connections and the
gain on your interface. The BG1 should NOT be noisy. Particularly with a dynamic. Very
strange.
-------------------- http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk
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BigAl
Just The Bass Player
Joined: 24/01/02
Posts: 2665
Loc: The King's Height
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: Bob Bickerton]
#1011412 - 03/10/12 12:28 PM
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Bob, And don't forget the old chestnut:- And a decent player playing well.
-------------------- Jack of all trades, master of some.
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Scramble
active member
Joined: 11/09/02
Posts: 1723
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: BigAl]
#1011429 - 03/10/12 01:05 PM
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Quote BigAl:
Bob,
And don't
forget the old chestnut:-
And a decent player playing well.
Isn't that already no. 1 on Bob's
list?
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Henry Olonga
Joined: 06/10/12
Posts: 9
Loc: South West England
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: Persuazion]
#1012099 - 06/10/12 12:36 PM
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Quote Persuazion:
The BG1 should
NOT be noisy.
Yup. The BG1
may well be one of the best mic amps out there. Noisy it ain't! Or shouldn't be
--------------------
www.nebulapresets.com
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_ Six _
Joined: 03/06/06
Posts: 1409
Loc: Liverpool
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Re: DAV BG1 and Focusrite Saffire 6
[Re: MusicMadMax]
#1012165 - 07/10/12 12:58 AM
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This is a wind up.. innit 
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