The Record The Crystalume Caper

JCAllison

Hey MarkE,
Just received an E-Mail from UPS saying to expect delivery of the Audio Equipment that YOU and Mr. Terfyn recommended tomorrow. Looking forward to it with great anticipation.

Had a bit of an equipment failure yesterday. The DSL Modem went dark. No Green lights on the front of it. The Surge Protector was still supplying electricity to all the other stuff, so it wasn't as if there was no power available to the Modem. So concluded that it was either the Transformer, or the Modem itself.

The specification on the Modem's Transformer said it was supplying 12 Volts, and .750ma.

Over the years there have accumulated a goodly number of Transformers. Looked at the Specs on each one, and the closest one was a 12 Volt, 1000ma unit. Plugged it in, and VOILA', Green lights.

It seems to be working fine.

Did a bit of a search concerning having 250ma MORE than the OLD Transformer, and from what was discerned, it should be fine. Would YOU care to comment on this for my peace of mind, please?

Next thing. The Crystalume's Spindler Sauppe Slide Projector works just like it always has, but have come to a conclusion about it with regards to producing a "finer", more "delicate" images.

Using The Crystalume to do 7'-0" X 10'-0" images makes it to where the motions of the Arrays can be more expansive, more motion intensive. It had been a long time since it was used with the 34" X 40" screen, and it is, to my sensibilities, somewhat over-powering.

Have previously mentioned making some "Lens-Caps" to choke down the amount of Light that is used. Also mentioned previously, that some of the Caps off of Pharmacy Medication Bottles were a GOOD fit as Lens-Caps. But in the intervening time, have found that the Caps from McCormick's  Coarse Ground Pepper containers are a GREAT fit, and already have a pattern of holes in them which will choke-down, not the "intensity" of light, but the "amount" of light that reaches the Screen.

Plus, a nice perk of using the McCormick's Pepper Cap is that it has a "Flip-Top" which can be "flipped" open, and "snapped" closed. This makes it to where there won't be any light reaching the Panasonic Camcorder until the Flip-Top Lid is opened.

Am working on these Caps today. Will be painting them Black, and adding some colored Gels to their interiors so that the light coming out will already be colored. Am thinking that this is going to be quite nice.

BTW, temperature here in the Deep East Texas Forest is predicted to be 100 degrees with 97% Humidity tomorrow!

Anyway, will most certainly keep you all updated if, when, and as progress occurs.

Take care.

JC

MarkE19

As I understand a power supply (and I'm no electrician so could be wrong) is that it doesn't push out its maximum power, rather the device it is powering (in your case the modem) pulls what it requires from the power supply. For safety I wouldn't put too high a power supply on anything, but as you have found a little over works fine.

Mark.

JCAllison

Hey MarkE,
That's commensurate with what was found when doing a search.

We're just a quarter of an amp more powerful. It was the smallest of all the Transformers that were MORE than .750mA. Am just going to go with it, and whatever happens will be all right.

Thanks for the prompt response.

JC

JCAllison

Hey MarkE, Mr. Terfyn, and All,
Just a quick note: The Audio Equipment that you all recommended was just delivered! Spiffy looking STUFF. Am going to be reading all the documentation this evening. Will start connecting everything tomorrow morning.

Temps here in the Forest is 100 degrees and 98% humidity.

Am off to take a cold shower.

Take care everyone.

JC

JCAllison

Hey All,
Am in the process of reading the Documentation for the "Behringer XENYX502 Premium 5-Input 2-Bus Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps and British EQs". It appears to be a VERY nicely made piece of equipment. The ULTIMATE goal is to get The Scryer's Audio OUT connected to the Panasonic Camcorder's External Microphone's IN. To do this, we're going to hopefully connect the XENYX502 to The Scryer, AND to the Panasonic Camcorder.

There is an Illustration in the documentation showing that a Lap-Top Computer can be connected to the XENYX502, but that it is done (in the Illustration) via a USB Cable connected to a Behringer UCA222. This UCA222 connects to the 502's "2-TRACK" INPUT (L&R) and OUTPUT (L&R) Ports, which are all RCA Females, and to a USB Port on the Computer.

QUESTION: Can The Scryer's Audio OUT (L&R) be connected to the 502's 2-TRACK's INPUT (L&R) without a UCA222? And if it can, how is THAT done?

Presently, The Scryer's Audio OUT is connected to an ALTEC LANSING Sound System. But there are more AUDIO OUT Ports available on the back of The Scryer.

So far, we have a MOVO MV-RC100 "Line-to-Mic Attenuator Cable" (recommended by Mr. Terfyn) which has ends labeled "CAMERA" and "LINE LEVEL" properly plugged into the Camcorder's External Mic Port.

MarkE recommended getting a 3.5mm TRSF to Dual 1/4" TS Stereo Breakout Cable, which could be connected to the 502's MAIN OUTPUT and to the RC100's 3.5mm Stereo Male Plug. BUT, the Illustration in the 502's Documentation shows THOSE OUTPUTS driving a set of Behringer B3030A Speakers, which means that the 502 has some amount of Amplification Ability. And while there is a Gain Control connected to the MAIN OUTPUT Ports, it seems that they are capable of putting out a significant signal to the Camcorder's External Mic even with the Attenuator Cable in the line.

QUESTION: Can we connect the 502's 2-TRACK's OUTPUT (L&R) to the RC100's Stereo 3.5mm Plug with the proper Cables and Adapters?

There are a bunch of other issues that have presented themselves here, but don't want to get ahead of ourselves at this point. So am going to send this post, with its two questions off, and will address the other issues in additional posts.

Anyway, supposed to be 102 degrees here in the Forest today, and 103 tomorrow. AND as if we didn't already have enough to do, noticed this morning that the Hot Water Heater has begun leaking. Not a lot, but enough to be noticable. AND it isn't going to leak LESS as time goes on. Fortunately, there is already a replacement Hot Water Heater here. It just needs to be installed when the time comes. "It's always something!" (Roseanna Roseannadanna)

Take care everyone.

JC

MarkE19

The B3030A speakers are active studio monitors - this means they have an amplifier built into them. So the mixer is outputting a line level signal (with no internal amplification) which when connected to the camcorder using the attenuated cable delivers a safe mic level signal to be recorded.

Mark.

JCAllison

Hey Mark,
All right, so we'll use the 1/4" male Jacks to 3.5mm female Jack Break-Out Cable to connect the XENYX502 to the Camcorder.

Now, how do we get The Scryer's Audio Out into the XENYX502?

Can we use the 3.5mm Stereo Male to L&R RCA Males Break Out Cable connecting The Scryer's 3.5mm Audio OUT to the XENYX502's 2-TRACK L&R INs?

JC

MarkE19

Yes
and again Yes

You're getting the hang of this now aren't you

Mark.

JCAllison

Hey All,
We now have the XENYX502's Main OUTs connected to the Attenuator Cable going into the Panasonic Camcorder's External Mic Port.

The next thing is to connect The Scryer's Stereo Audio OUT (a Green 3.5mm Stereo Port) to the XENYX502's 2-TRACK (L&R) RCA Female IN Ports.

BUT here is the problem: The Scryer has FIVE 3.5mm Female Audio Related Ports. Three on the back panel, and two on the front panel. Previously mentioned Audio Ports turned out to be (on the back) "Line-IN" (Red), "Stereo OUT" (Green), and Microphone (Blue). And (on the front) "Headphones" (Pale Green), and "Microphone" (Red). The Stereo Audio OUT is presently connected to the Altec Lansing Speakers. We need to get the Audio from The Scryer TO the XENYX502 so that it will be heard by the Camcorder.

Am thinking that the The Scryeer's Stereo Audio OUT (3.5mm Female) should be connected to the XENYX502's 2-TRACK L&R INs (RCA Females). So have done this.

Am thinking that the XENYX502's 2-TRACK L&R OUTs should be connected to the Altec Lansing 3.5mm Stereo Male Jack. To do this am going to have to find a cable with TWO RCA Male Jacks, and a 3.5mm Female Stereo Plug.

Have just completed a search of every 3.5mm Cable and Adapter. Have found two, 1/4" Stereo Male to 3.5mm Stereo Femail Adapters. Am going to look for a Cable with two RCA Males on one end, and a 1/4" Female Stereo Plug on the other end. That will get the XENYX502's 2-TRACK OUTs to the Altec Lansing 3.5mm Male Jack.

Hopefully!

JC

JCAllison

Hey Mark,
DONE!

OOPS! Post 99, this Thread... There are only two 3.5mm Female Stereo to 1/4" Male Stereo Jacks, but none that will adapt RCA Males to a 3.5mm Female Stereo setup.

BUT THIS MIGHT WORK!!!??? Connect the Altec Lansing 3.5mm Male Jack into one of the 3.5mm Female Plug to 1/4" Stereo Male Jack Adapters. Then Connect the 1/4" Stereo Male Jack to the XENYX502's Head Phones OUT Port. It has its OWN Gain Control. Would THAT be all right? Would THAT drive the Altec Lansing Speakers?

Next thing: The Panasonic Camcorder's Video AND Audio is connected to The Scryer via 1399 FireWire.

Here is a synopsis of The Scryer's Audio circuitry:

The Scryer plays an MP3 Audio File into the XENYX502's 2-TRACK L&R IN Ports.

The XENYX502 sends the signal through the MAIN OUTs to the Attenuator Cable that is connected to the Panasonic Camcorder's External Microphone Port, AND through the XENYX502's Head Phone OUT Port, to the Altec Lansing Speakers.

When Recording, the Sound to the Camcorder is controlled by the XENTX502's Gain, EQ, Pan, and Balance Controls.

The Camcorder sends its Video&Audio signals to The Scryer's HDD via 1399 FireWire using either Windows Movie Maker or VideoMeld Software.

Also, the Camcorder is sending what it is seeing to the Sceptre X33 TV via Composite Video.

When playing the Video/Audio BACK, The Scryer sends the Video to the Dell 27" Monitor, AND to the XENYX502's 2-TRACK L&R IN Ports, which then sends it to the Altec Lansing Speakers via the XENYX502's Head Phones OUT Port.

At this point, Mark, it's all just theory since none of this has ACTUALLY been turned on to see if it works. Am awaiting YOUR decision about having the Altec Lansing Speakers connected to the XENYX502's Head Phones OUT Port. Am not going to turn anything on till I get your OK.

THEN there are two more things that need to be figured out, but we'll get to THAT when the time comes.

Am going to kind of straighten things around here, and probably won't do any more till tomorrow morning as my energy&focus is on the down side, plus the heat is finally soaking through the walls, and it's getting warm in the Video Studio.

Anyway, I do appreciate your watchfulness. It keeps me from connecting something that will do damage. It's a comfort that I don't have with The Crystalume side of this equation. I'm the authority on THAT account. Don't always KNOW what to do, or how to do it, but unless I do it, it won't get done. Have to admit that in many instances it's moving onward through the fog. So thanks again for the responses, they are much aappreciated.

Take care.

JC