Instruments & mics 2 line

[I.T.]

The interface has balanced 10Kohms line inputs (TRS), so I have a question. What must be done to use my guitars and microphones with this device? Actually the question is how to convert instrumental signals to line; I realize I need a preamp for mics!

[Bops2000]

a direct in box, however I run guitars direct through the preamps also, sometimes good, sometimes not so good.

[I.T.]

I thought about it. But all DI boxes have balanced XLR outputs. Are there any other solutions?

[itsplayed]

I thought about it. But all DI boxes have balanced XLR outputs. Are there any other solutions?

That's a good thing....no? Balanced XLR to TRS cables or adapters would work for you.

[I.T.]

I see. One more thing I want to know… Are there no differences between stereo and balanced TRS?

[itsplayed]

Yes, there's a difference...Balanced TRS cables are typically mono, not stereo. 1/4" Stereo cables are usually used for headphones and are typically unbalanced. However, there is such a thing as balanced headphones, but you'd need a balanced headphone amp to drive them.

[Bops2000]

http://www.stagesound.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=PROCODB1&Category_Code=MICDI

This is what I use for bass and guitar into the board

[I.T.]

What kind of output level do DIs have – mic or line? Mic, if I’m not wrong. And I need line.
Bops2000, itsplayed: thank you.

[Bops2000]

What kind of output level do DIs have – mic or line? Mic, if I’m not wrong. And I need line.
Bops2000, itsplayed: thank you.
it has both line out (direct) or lowZ.
You could look into little practice amps or amp heads with a line out..

[I.T.]

You could look into little practice amps or amp heads with a line out..
I’m afraid this solution is too expensive for me.

In some interfaces there are autosensing universal inputs (instr/mic). In Echo AudioFire12 there are only line inputs and that’s why I can’t plug guitars directly. So I’m looking for multichannel external device that has high Z inputs and balanced line-level outputs. I’ve found only Behringer ULTRA-DI PRO DI800 but it has mic-level outputs.

Sorry for describing my problem once again, just wanted to make the situation more clear.

[GZsound]

Your best bet would be to buy a small format mixer like a Soundcraft or Yamaha MG series.

You would get mic preamps, line inputs, etc. and if you make sure it has channel inserts, you can connect them to your interface.

That way for well under a hundred dollars, you could connect mics or instruments to your interface in any combination...AND if you use the mixer outputs along with the inserts, you would have fader and tone and even effects...if the mixer has effects....control too.

A small format mixer is a really inexpensive solution to your problems.

[I.T.]

2 GZsound: Oh it sounds great. But what kind of leads will be the most suitable for insert-interface connection? Standard insert lead (tip as send, ring as return) is not what I need, am I right?

And one more question: will mixer preamps affect the send signal?

[GZsound]

2 GZsound: Oh it sounds great. But what kind of leads will be the most suitable for insert-interface connection? Standard insert lead (tip as send, ring as return) is not what I need, am I right?

And one more question: will mixer preamps affect the send signal?

First off....yes, mixer preamps will effect the signal. Crappy mic preamps will give you a crappy signal, clean mic preamps will give you a clean signal..

Most decent small format mixers from Yamaha, Mackie, or Soundcraft have more than decent mic pre's.

And most channel inserts are TRS. However, if you plug a standard quarter inch shielded cable until the first "click" in the insert, you will access the "send" portion of the insert and be able to send that signal to your recorder. Be aware that Soundcraft mixers wire their inserts backwards from Yamaha, Mackie, etc. and require shorting the tip and sleeve of a TRS jack.

Of course whatever connector your interface requires would need to be on the other end of the shielded cable.

[I.T.]

GZsound, thank you. You make things clear.

So, guitar -> DI -> pre-amp -> interface. There are several tube preamps on the market with built-in active DIs. Pretty expensive. I wish there were some transistor-based devices too…

[GZsound]

GZsound, thank you. You make things clear.

So, guitar -> DI -> pre-amp -> interface. There are several tube preamps on the market with built-in active DIs. Pretty expensive. I wish there were some transistor-based devices too…

If you have a small format mixer, you don't need a DI OR a preamp, since that is what the mixer will do for you.

You simply plug your microphone into an XLR and take a line from the channel insert to your interface.

As for your guitar, you can plug a guitar line out into the line input of the mixer. Or you can mic a guitar cabinet and run that mic into a preamp on your mixer.

In other words.. if you buy a decent small format mixer, like I suggested, from Yamaha, Soundcraft, Mackie, etc., you will have everything you need to get any signal you want into your interface.

Buying a cheap "toob" mic preamp would not get you any better quality than buying a mixer with decent mic preamps. Certainly it would get you different "colors" in your signal chain..but doing some simple math makes them really expensive.

I'll be honest.. This new craze regarding outboard microphone preamps has me baffled. Granted, a mic preamp costing a thousand dollars for ONE CHANNEL would sound better than many mixer preamps.

But.. Then you have the issue of what microphone, what does your room sound like, etc. And buying an outboard mic pre just because "they" say you have to have one is, in my opinion, silly.

For under five hundred dollars you can buy a Soundcraft M12 mixer with microphone preamps from their much more expensive studio consoles.. That's $41 a channel for clean quality mic preamps.

[87PRS]

I'm in agreement with GZ here, a small format mixer gives you many capablities that a single mic pre doesn't offer, and that includes the mic pres that are "loaded" with special FX's ie EQ, comp, tube blenders, etc. If you want a tube driven source in your chain put it at the instrument (mic) or amp not at the mic-preamp jmo. I use a Presonus Eureka for example, it sounds good, I dont like the extra fx's, but it does have a different sound than a mic-pre from my Soundcraft Ghost, both offer line in, line out and xlr mic in etc...to me a good DI box is just for taking 1/4 plug ins to XLR to mixer, which I do for a stereo keyboard set up....so I think you answered your own question in your very first post...you need a pre-amp, whether mixer or single preamp to line out your guitar for recording.

[I.T.]

2 GZsound
Thank you, using mixer is a good idea indeed but as I can see now, not in my situation. First of all I will still need DIs: mixer’s line inputs will have much lower impedance than instruments’ pickups. Second here in Russia we have quite different prices on audio gear. M12 will cost $1000+ for me. :rolleyes: Anyway thank you!

2 87PRS
I think you answered your own question in your very first post...you need a pre-amp, whether mixer or single preamp to line out your guitar for recording.
Yes, it seems to be so.

[GZsound]

I have used mixer line inputs for instrument pickups for a long time with no adverse results. Unless you are considering an active CI, which may boost the signal a bit, a standard passive DI simply converts the line signal to XLR and a mixer line input should work fine.

I appreciate how cost can be an issue. Maybe a small format Yamaha or a smaller Soundcraft would be more affordable? You probably don't need 12 mic preamps anyway... Just a thought.

[I.T.]

That is what I’ve found: http://www.nady.com/pra8_micamps_pg.html
Not premium quality – I understand – but for the first time it will be ok for us.

GZsound, thank you for your answers!

[GZsound]

That is what I’ve found: http://www.nady.com/pra8_micamps_pg.html
Not premium quality – I understand – but for the first time it will be ok for us.

GZsound, thank you for your answers!

That unit certainly should work. Nady is kind of an anathema in the audio industry. They keep making stuff that apparently works as advertised for very reasonable prices. They don't get beat up like Behringer, but they also don't get any respect..

I say try whatever you can afford and make it work.. Good luck!