Tube Pre to mixer or souncard?

[johnportrash]

I recently got a Presonus blue tube and an Art MP to audition the two before purchase. I have a Mackie 1202-VLZ mixer and Midiman delta audio card. I plan on using one of these pre's with my presonus bluemax compressor.
So how do I patch this mess together? Do I run the new pres through my mackie pres, cut the trim way back and insert compressor? OR do I just bypass the mixer altogether and go right into the card? I noticed that these pres have very hot outs and I have to turn the gain all the way down on my mixer.
I plan on using the outboard pre's as a DI for bass mainly and for some vocals as well.

[Robert D]

Hi - unless you have a reason to do otherwise, I'd go mic to pre to compressor to soundcard, and leave the Mackie out of the equation.
Regards, RD

[johnportrash]

Robert, I like the sound of this configuration. My only problem with it is that the tube pre has balanced and unbalanced outs, but the compressor has unbalanced only. It kind of freaks me out to turn this signal form balanced to unbalanced. It should be noted that the delta will accept balanced or unbalanced. Thoughts on turning this signal into an unbalanced line? Thank you.

[Robert D]

Unbalanced isn't a bad thing unless you have a noisy EMI environment, long cable runs, or both. To see if it effects you, try running a balanced cable from pre to soundcard, set up the gain for a normal miking situation, and record a track. Leave several seconds of silence at the end. Replace the balanced cable with an unbalanced one, the longest you would need to use, and record another track with the same gain settings. Now listen carefully to the two tracks at the end, where there's no signal recorded. Turn up your monitors or phones, and A/B the noise. Best to do this test at night when the lights are on. things like dimmers and flourescents are EMI noise sources.
Good luck, RD

[johnportrash]

Robert D- you are right on. The Mackie colored this gear very much, even as a line in device. Here is what I tested and found out:
1.ART MP1 is an amazing direct box that smokes the presonus blue tube, plugs directly into your soundcard and requires no compression to get a nice even signal.
2.Oktava m319 is a shotty made mic that rings when you touch the body BUT sounds incredible on voice. No color on the highs. Very warm.
3.Rode NT1 is built well, sounds good on strings, but really isn't that impressive.
4.I am ordering a studio projects C1 today to see if they are what eveyone is raving about.

* this is just my ears here- thanks for all the help.

[Robert D]

Originally posted by johnportrash:
2.Oktava m319 is a shotty made mic that rings when you touch the body BUT sounds incredible on voice. No color on the highs. Very warm.


Wow, that's the most concise, right on review of the MK319 I've ever read. You NEED a shockmount for this mic, the capsule to body isolation is poor, but whether by clever design or happy accident, those mics have a natural sound and warmth that defies their low price. I'll look forward to your comments on the C1. I haven't heard one yet, but I'll bet the C1 and the 319 will cover different bases quite well.
Cheers, RD