mic preamp position in signal chain

[maim9]

Hello,

I was hoping for some advice on how to setup my signal chain.

The way I'm working now, is mixer (Soundcraft compact 10) > soundcard (Audiophile 192) > DAW.

Several VA synths go to each their line input on the mixer; microphones (vocal, guitar cab) and bass guitar go to the internal mic pres on the mixer.

Now, however, I'm expanding with a cheap micpre (presonus bluetube dp2). What I'm wondering, is if this should be positioned Mics > Presonus > Mixer line input, or if I could benefit from placing it later in the chain, Mixer > Presonus > Audiophile 192.

My first instinct would be to go with the first option, but the thing is that I have an analog synth that I sometimes run through the mic pres on the soundcraft with good/different results. On the other hand, I'm worrying about overkill if mics have to go through the preamps on both the mixer and the presonus. My main priority (besides a good sound), is a permanent setup that doesn't need to be changed too much for different applications.

I know that a common answer to a lot of questions on this forum is "try everything and see what works best for you", and that's what I normally would do. However, I haven't received the presonus yet, so I thought I'd save some time if I already had some advices to start with when I receive it.

Thanks

[Lay in Wait]

Mic>Presonus>DAW. Thats how I would run it.

[maim9]

Yeah.. That would be the best, I guess.. But where does my mixer fit into all this? Are you saying that my endeavour to make a permanent setup with everything in it is flawed? There are only analog 2 inputs (and no breakout box) on the audiophile card and having to make the expedition behind my computer every time I need to switch from presonus to synths, is not really an option...

I guess I need to expand my setup at somepoint, but for now, this is what I've got. So if you had to choose the better of two evils (the two options I suggested for myself in my previous post), which would it be?

Thanks for your reply, btw

[lukasxpop]

what ouputs of the mixer do you usually run into the Soundcard?
I think the point is that there is no need to run the Mic Preamp into the mixer - unless you want to monitor that way.

why not buy a $50 Patchbay and then use that to easily swap what is patched directly to the Soundcard inputs.

[lukasxpop]

oh and this method you mentioned makes no sense at all as after the mixer the mic will already be at Line Level so you don't need to add more gain with teh pre-amp.

or if I could benefit from placing it later in the chain, Mixer > Presonus > Audiophile 192.

[treymonfauntre]

presonus - line ins - card
i'm just assuming you're using the preamps on the mixer at the same time for other instruments

[maim9]

Originally Posted by lukasxpop

oh and this method you mentioned makes no sense at all as after the mixer the mic will already be at Line Level so you don't need to add more gain with teh pre-amp.

Thanks, you are of course right. And yeah, a patchbay next month, then...

treymonfauntre: thanks, that sounds like the best way to do it for now..