Review: Raven Labs PMB-1
ple...@nospam.us
inputs, whether they are from a dual-source pickup in a single guitar
or two separate instruments, and blends them into one mono signal.
Along the way, it provides gain (preamp) and EQ for each channel. It
can switch the phase of either signal. It accepts either a stereo
(TRS) input or two mono inputs. It has a variety of outputs including
a signal processing loop, tuner out and both 1/4" and XLR outs. I
used the 1/4" out to go to my amp and the XLR out to go to the mixing
board.
The tone through this box is pretty musical - I don't hear any
colorations I don't like. It is also dead quiet - it seems to add
nothing (well, probably something measurable) to the signal other than
gain and EQ. It might be that I'm only hearing colorations I like so
I ignore them, but in any case, I'm pleased with the sound.
The build quality is outstanding. The controls all feel solid and
have the "feel of quality." The layout is sensible. The only thing I
missed was the ability to attach it to a mic stand. I had to put it
on top of something else. I am looking into buying a little platform
that attaches to a mic stand, but that's an additional expense.
I've used this setup twice, once with a 7-string baritone Kinscherff
with a dual-source Highlander+PUTW and the other time with a guitar
and a mandolin! Both times, I've found the box to be reliable and
easy to use. The second time was especially good because I was able
to use both my instruments and still only take one input to the board
(that was important, actually).
I tried another blender before and it is also quite a nice unit with
many of the same features and benefits. However, it reacted a bit
(produced an audible hiss) with the dual-source arrangement in the
baritone that I "solved" by activating the 9v "phantom power" on the
mic side. This is weird because of course the part of the mic is
being played by the PUTW. I know little enough about what is going on
that I won't even hazard a guess as to what is happening.
Executive summary: the Raven Labs PMB-1 is a flexible and
good-sounding piece of equipment that you should look into if your are
performing where you are required to plug in.
Standard disclaimers apply. Void where prohibited. YMMV. Do not
bend, fold, spindle or mutilate.
Al
--
My email address is guitb0x "at" yahoo "dot" com
Stephen Boyke
dislike the mono summing out the back end, and the EQ is to limited
(although very good otherwise). Fortunately, Raven Labs is coming out
with a new product, more akin to the Pendulum SPS-1. Stereo in and out,
panning, semi-parametric EQ (the Q is preset). List $1,000. Street
price probably $700 or so.
I still think the Rane AP-13 is the best bang for the buck, about
$425 street, with great sound and mucho features.
--
Stephen T. Boyke
Jeff Sherman
>The Raven Labs PMB-1 is a remarkable little device. It accepts <snip>
Nice review, Al.
Impressive little item, I've always thought.
Enjoy.
Jeff
ple...@nospam.us
> Good review. I have similar praise for the unit. However, I
>dislike the mono summing out the back end, and the EQ is to limited
>(although very good otherwise). Fortunately, Raven Labs is coming out
>with a new product, more akin to the Pendulum SPS-1. Stereo in and out,
>panning, semi-parametric EQ (the Q is preset). List $1,000. Street
>price probably $700 or so.
>
> I still think the Rane AP-13 is the best bang for the buck, about
>$425 street, with great sound and mucho features.
I didn't use much EQ because I seem to prefer the settings flat
anyway. I also didn't get to try out the Rane because I didn't know
anyone who had one. I wasn't going to buy one just to try it out.
Same with the Pendulum. The mono summing is the point of the blender,
isn't it? They do have a very similar preamp unit that I believe
doesn't do mono summing for under $300. One of the things I liked
about the Raven Labs unit is the fact that it's really simple because
I am a relative neophyte when it comes to these sorts of things.
Thanks for the tips, though. I will try to check out the Rane.
Larry Pattis
<ple...@nospam.us> wrote:
Al,
I find the PMB-1 to be the 'best' (for me!) of all the dual channel
external pre-amps available.
Here's something you might want to know:
You can use the mounting apparatii that Fishman sells for their
Blender/Pocket Blender system, if you want to hang the PMB-1 on your
vocal mic stand. The gear is pricey, but it functions. It's two
pieces; a mount that screws onto the bottom of the PMB-1, this piece
also has additional threads for the second part, a little cantilever
mount that threads up into the base mount, and also clamps onto your
vocal mic stand. You'll have to replace the one little mount screw,
but there is a hole on the bottom of the PBB-1 that will work just
fine. I just looked through my 'spare screw supply' and found one that
worked.
Any Fishman dealer can help you out with this. Call me if you need
more info.....
--
Larry Pattis
LP "at" larrypattis "dot" com
Jeff Sherman
<Larry...@NoSpam.aaa> wrote:
>Here's something you might want to know:
>You can use the mounting apparatii that Fishman sells for their
>Blender/Pocket Blender system, if you want to hang the PMB-1 on your
>vocal mic stand. The gear is pricey, but it functions.
Dorgan uses something like that for his PAMM, I believe. Not sure
about cost or if its the Fishman product.
One of the big stand mfg's makes a little tray for $25. I saw it in
a catalogue the other day. Velcro would work to fasten the thing down
safely.
Here's the cheapest option: On Stage Stands sells a little two-mic
adapter for $6. Its a bracket about 6" long with a hole in the middle
and a threaded knob at each end for attaching two adapters or
goosenecks. Al could fasten a little tray out of plywood or sheet
metal that could attach to that thing very easily using one or both of
the knobs.
Jeff
MKarlo
<Larry...@NoSpam.aaa> writes:
Here's another idea that worked for me when I used my PMB loose (I've since put
it into a rack with an FX processor). Quik-Lok makes a couple of trays that
clamp onto mic stands. One in particular is just right for the PMB, leaving
about 1/2" border all around. Had I continued to use the tray, I would have
drilled a hole and fastened the blender to it.
mitch
TarBabyTunes
Thanks for the review!
One thing I noticed when I saw/heard this unit in a recent concert, and that I
liked a lot, is the mute switch, which the performer (Ged Foley) used in
between songs to switch the guitar off in the PA completely.
I have no idea if it was really necessary, but he seemed to do it as a habit.
Nice feature anyway.
Thanks,
stv
MKarlo
mka...@aol.comspamnyet (MKarlo) writes:
>Here's another idea that worked for me when I used my PMB loose (I've since
>put
>it into a rack with an FX processor). Quik-Lok makes a couple of trays that
>clamp onto mic stands. One in particular is just right for the PMB, leaving
>about 1/2" border all around. Had I continued to use the tray, I would have
>drilled a hole and fastened the blender to it.
>
>mitch
>
Follow -up. I saw this very tray at a music I popped into today during lunch.
It was $32 retail, so it could probably be had for $24 at your preferred music
outlet.
mitch
MikeY
RAVEN LABS PROFESSIONAL MASTER BLENDER (PMB)
I had never heard of RAVEN LABS before, but I was in dire need of a stereo
blender for my Taylor 514C. I bought this guitar used and it had a Fishman
pick-up in the bridge, but I wanted more tone (OK I confess...I wanted
another toy). I installed a Crown mic and then started looking at
external blenders to add new dimensions to my sound and for recording. I
checked out the Fishman pocket blender and it was good, but I wanted more
options (more knobs to play with). A friend of mine who knows Laurence
Juber pretty well said he was using a blender from a new company called
Raven Labs and he was extremely pleased with the product. I was in Salt
Lake City at the time and the local music stores there did not carry Raven
Labs, and most had never even heard of them. I checked out their web page
(http://www.raven-labs.com) and called them on the phone. I was so
impressed with the people I talked to at Raven Labs that I took a chance
and ordered one without even seeing or hearing it. Besides, if a guy like
Laurence Juber said it was OK, it had to be good.
My package arrived at my hotel and I was surprised at the weight of the
thing! I opened the box to find a very sturdy red case and lots of knobs
(a guy thing). I never cracked the manual open (another guy thing) and
started playing with the PMB and within a few minutes I was up and
running. The PMB can run using either 2, 9-volt batteries or a power
supply. There is also an XLR output plug on the rear of the unit as well
as 1/4 inch jacks. A stereo cord is needed from the guitar to the PMB to
use the internal mic in the guitar. The back of the PMB also features LINE
OUT (goes direct to the house system), TUNER SEND, MASTER EFFECTS, AUX/MIC
as well as CHANNEL PATCH & RETURN jacks. All the bases have been covered
here. On the front of the PMB, there are INSTRUMENT and MIC INPUTS with
separate channels, as well as a STEREO INPUT (you cannot use the MIC INPUT
if you use the STEREO jack). A PHANTOM MIC button also turns on/off the
internal mic in the guitar from the blender. As an added feature, there
are also PHASE buttons for both channels to help control feedback.Both
channels offer GAIN, MID, TREBLE, and BASS controls. There is also a
MASTER VOLUME control to use once you mix the signals to your personal
taste. I also like the MUTE button as that allows me to mute the output so
I can tune and not have to make the audience suffer through tuning
changes. My only complaint is I cannot see the knob titles (I keep the PMB
on a stool next to me for easy access). I simply added a piece of tape to
the top and labeled the control knobs on top. I was (and still am) amazed
at the quality of this item. It has opened up a whole new range for my
guitar. Talk about crisp and clear.... The RAVEN LABS people have produced
the finest blender on the market and it did not cost me an arm and a leg
to get it!
Mike
--
GET "WASATCH BOULEVARD" MikeY's first solo CD!!
FINGERSTYLE GUITAR WEB PAGE:
http://www.concentric.net/~mikekeo/ updated 12/05/01
Tom Gruning
Just as another option on the mic stand pre-amp holder: I got one from
a company called "String Swing." It's a nice unit; simple, easy to
use, and strong enough that I usually stack the Baggs PADI on top of
the Raven blender. Best $14 I've spent in quite a while. Their URL is
http://www.stringswing.com/.
Best,
Tom Gruning
MKarlo
<gru...@midtel.net> writes:
Hey Tom. Good suggestion. Two questions for you and my fellow PMB users who
are hoisting the box on a mic stand:
-are you running without FX? If not, where are you putting *that* box?
-for you Tom. How are you using the PADI? Running two instruments? Just
curious.
mitch
Larry Pattis
<mka...@aol.comspamnyet> wrote:
> In article <Z9am8.124$nx6.1...@monger.newsread.com>, "Tom Gruning"
> <gru...@midtel.net> writes:
>
> >Hi Al,
> >Just as another option on the mic stand pre-amp holder: I got one from
> >a company called "String Swing." It's a nice unit; simple, easy to
> >use, and strong enough that I usually stack the Baggs PADI on top of
> >the Raven blender. Best $14 I've spent in quite a while. Their URL is
> >http://www.stringswing.com/.
> >Best,
> >Tom Gruning
Just exactly where on their website did you find this?
Thanks!
ple...@nospam.us
What are you using the PADI for? I'm finding that the Raven Labs
blender is all I need.
MKarlo
Hey Tom. Good suggestion. Two questions for you and my fellow PMB users who
MKarlo
to: