VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: Warm up time for your gear

I've not really seen this question asked, so I figured it was worth tossing out there to see how folks react to it.

As many of us know, some equipment (tube mics, preamps, etc.) need a bit of time before they "warm up". Based on the components used, it takes a bit of time before the unit is up to full power, and this can often be noticed with certain pieces of equipment (vintage tube mics in particular) as one uses them throughout the day.

So my question to all of you Buzz Audio, Avalon, Requisite Audio, Great River, John Hardy, Neumann, Lawson, Manley, etc. users out there... how long do you normally let your stuff power up before using?
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tackerman · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Usually 1/2 hr.

allensco · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

'bout the same here......usually around 30 to 45 mins.

A

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

For my own stuff.

About an hour... with the exception of the LMNOPres. Those I initially left on overnight (since I have a new one it gets the treatment as well), when they break in... an hour is more than enough.

Mics... about the same (the vintage neumanns are the exception).

EDIT: even if it's not a tube-based preamp, the transformers and op-amps in most higher end preamps and microphones need time to reach a full charge. Things can sound a bit thin if you just turn it on and run with it... ask anyone with a Great River preamp (15 minutes or so and they're sounding good, but initially? Noticeable lack of headroom and some really funky sounds when you saturate the transformer).
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

steveanthony · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

Tube mic, at least an hour. Everything else, well, anywhere from 2 minutes on.

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

45 mins to an hour for my tube mic.
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ricevoice · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

My only tube gear is my mic, I usually warms it up for 30-45 minutes.
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Edo · Guest

I power up everyting an hour before I wake up... Smile

Charles Nove · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:34 am Post subject:

There's an Off switch .... ?
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Edo · Guest

Okay... I have to admit... I NEVER POWER DOWN... I take the extra electricity bill for granted (which isn't a lot). No more label "environmentally friendly" on my forehead from now on Wink

Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:12 am Post subject:

Chuck Davis · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:32 am Post subject:

I usually turn the racks on when I go down to the studio to work out, exercise gears in there too, after workout and breakfast the mics good and warm and ready to go.
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Deirdre · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:15 am Post subject:

No tubes at Camp Cooper.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:06 am Post subject:

DB, you know that the it's not just tubes the need a bit of warm'in up, right?

/op amps
/output xfrmrs
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

i warm mine up (Avalon 737) for about a waffle, eggs, and bacon... then some coffe and BOOM - we iz reddy 2 go!

i used to leave my Avalon on all week at the old studio but in my home now, the lights attracts toddlers.

-Anthony