8mm Forum: Elmo 1200 HD Amplification

This is topic Elmo 1200 HD Amplification in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Brian Schultz (Member # 1101) on December 16, 2008, 01:44 PM:

Forgive me for re-visiting a topic that may have been beaten to death, but I want to make sure I'm not putting my projector at risk before attempting this. I would like to amplify my 1200hd by using the auxillary output (I realize this will not produce stereo sound. Stereo will be a future project). I intend to accomplish this with the following set up:

1) Aux out to adaptor
2) adaptor to RCA cable
3) RCA cable to Y connector (one female in with two male outs)
4) male ends of Y connector into R and L tape input on my JVC receiver.

Any input or suggestions with would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Brian

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on December 16, 2008, 02:19 PM:

Brian,

What you have there seems fine; since aux is line level, your receiver should have no problems with the level it's getting.

Personally, for my 1200, I use a self-powered speaker which accecpts line inputs, so I am going the route you are, in terms of sending 'line out' to 'line in' and letting the speaker do the heavy lifting in terms of amplifying the sound.
Your receiver will do the same, and you will have far better sound than if you come out of the 'speaker out' on the projector.

Claus.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on December 17, 2008, 06:42 AM:

Brian, Welcome to the forum.

Stereo is in reach...

If you run an ST1200HD, you'll get better dynamic from the two tracks monitoring outputs at the rear of your ST. You just have to remember to keep volume at minimum when switching on all machines (proj and amp). Use the CD or AUX input on your receiver (avoid phono input as signal is already pre-amplified). Switch projector on before turning receiver on and turn receiver off before switching off the Elmo (this will avoid damage to the speakers).

You need a pair of mono jack 3.5 to RCA female adaptors plus a stereo RCA cord to your receiver, and voila!

This is how I've been monitoring the sound out of both the GS 1200 and ST 1200 HD for years and it's far much better than the signal coming out of the Aux output.

[ December 17, 2008, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Jean-Marc Toussaint ]

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on December 17, 2008, 09:00 AM:

I'm with Jean-Marc....I use those two outputs on the back (you are talking about an HD model, right?)....I run them out to an amp..one left , one right...and you have stereo...no line attenuation needed. ...And the sound is awesome. All you need is mono mini plugs on one end of the cables..and RCA style(normal home stereo plugs) on the other.

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on December 17, 2008, 10:42 AM:

On Brian's original post at the top:

Those connections will work fine.

Just remember that your projector volume control will effect the receiver input. If the sound volume on the Elmo is down and the knob on the receiver is up, you won't hear anything.

Depending on the output gain inside the projector, here is the best advice:

Set both knobs to zero volume.

Locate the black dot on the volume knob at the projector.

Set that to about TEN OCLOCK position.

Start the movie.

When picture hits the screen and you know there is active sound

Turn the receiver up to a comfortable level.

Depending on the record level on the said movie print, these steps will vary.

Be VERY careful, not to bring it up too loud. This avoids speaker damage.

As I said be very careful, and you shouldn't have problems. You will easily learn how this works, and the sound is so much better when sent through an external amp system, regardless whether it be mono or stereo.

As an added bonus, if you are using as Pro Logic system, experiment with the settings that it can do. Depending on the brand, you might have a mode called MONO MOVIE or CLASSIC FILM. This takes the single track signal and spreads it out to all 5 channels, creating a slight echo effect. The idea is to simulate a huge theater with only a few people in it. Classic films made before 1970 might sound better this way if you like this sort of thing.

If you're not sure, stay with standard Pro Logic and/or Pro Logic Enhanced mode. This sends main dialogue to the center channel, and bass to the left and rights.

If you do not like Pro Logic, try turning the "pro logic effect" off. This turns your Pro Logic system into a standard 2 channel amp.

As always, make sure your sound heads are clean for best results. And don't forget if you have several shorts on one large reel, record levels vary. Some will be louder than others, so expect to make changes as the titles change.

If you're running Optical sound movies, don't be surprised if you're turning your amp and projector levels to almost 12 noon hour position, as optical sound is recorded lower than magnetic.

I would, however use 12 noon hour as the absolute limit and not push the sound system or projector past that point. It probably would be OK, but I feel as a safety issue if you're at 12 noon and it's not loud enough, then you have to make other changes for the better, such as stronger amplifiers to handle what you are trying to do.

Any receiver or series of integrated amplifiers between 30 to 100 watts per channel should be fine and handle the load.

~ Chip ~

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on December 18, 2008, 05:09 AM:

Agree with using the two monitor outputs for stereo; I've being doing this for, let's see...21 years now with my ST1200HD! Some soundtracks even produce something resembling Dolby surround!

Also I found adding a graphic equalizer between projector and amp can be a huge benefit for tweaking some less than perfect soundtracks and getting a better balance between tracks.

But do they still make stand alone graphic equalizers anymore???

Posted by Michael Beyer (Member # 1143) on December 18, 2008, 05:43 AM:

Hi,
I made an PDF-File on my website how to connect the 1200HD.
You can found it there under "Ausstattung" and then at the end of this site.
There are my equalizer etc. that I use, too.

Best regards,
Michael

P.S.: I forgot to say: My website is in german.

Posted by Brian Schultz (Member # 1101) on December 18, 2008, 10:20 AM:

Thanks for all the help guys.
With respect to the stereo set up, I was under the impression that there is an issue with the monitor outputs on
the HD1200 not providing a strong enough signal for most
amplifiers to be effective. This, in turn, requiring the need for additional pre-amps to boost the signals. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Brian

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on December 18, 2008, 10:34 AM:

Hi Brian

It has been said the output of these connections are indeed low, but remember you need a strong powerful amplifier to adjust the difference. i.e. 80 to 100 watts per channel Dolby Pro Logic.

When you use Moni 1 & 2 outputs your only volume control is on the stereo amplifier. In this situation your projector connects like a CD player from the rear panel.

Running through a stereo amp even with auxiliary mono is good, because the stereo amp provides the optional headphone jack should you want to use the projector late at night and not wake anybody up.

Chip Gelmini

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on December 18, 2008, 10:52 AM:

Yes, the monitor outputs are low and I know others have used methods of boosting the signal pre-amp.

But as Chip points out, if the amp is powerful enough (in the range he suggests) then you should be ok; although, yes, in my experience you do have to drive the amp a lot harder than usual.

Just as a side note to this, I find that each time I power up the Elmo and amp, the plugs in the monitor outputs require a little twist each way to illiminate any earth crackle; maybe this is just my Elmo but it is worth remembering that if you need to "fiddle" with the connections, or indeed unplug them, make sure the amp is set to a low volume setting as the resulting pops and bangs can be lethal to your amp / speakers at the higher than normal listening volume!

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on December 18, 2008, 11:00 AM:

Brian

Following all of this advice, you should be very happy. Just remember though, treat your projector as any other audio device when connected to the stereo amp: CAREFULLY.

And, the quality of your sound reproduction will only be as good as the source recording. Be familiar with the soundtracks on your prints before running through the amps. If the recording on the super 8 print is low, then your equipment will go higher. Likewise, anything recorded strong your amplifier will be lower (volume settings).

Enuff said on this.

Don't forget the popcorn! [Smile]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on December 18, 2008, 11:05 AM:

Aha, Chip, great minds...etc.

I just added that extra bit about being careful with the connections as you were adding your post!

Posted by Michael Beyer (Member # 1143) on December 19, 2008, 12:49 AM:

I'm using an Behringer Compressor/Limiter (musician equipment) between the monitor outputs and the amp to boost or to compress the audio-signal so I have a constant level.

Best,
Michael

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 19, 2008, 05:33 AM:

Stand alone graphics equalizers.... example at

http://www.skytronic.co.uk/product/index.php?s=170.921

There are probably simpler versions still around; disco suppliers
stage sound, musicians electronics etc

Martin

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