best way to integrate a stompbox into my OTB processing chain

mahler007 · 11th July 2007

Hi,
I am woirking on a mix where I am processing a guitar track OTB. I am going out of the DAW via a balanced patchbay, into a Manley EQ, a Summit Audio TLA-50, and then into a Boss DD-6 digital delay pedal. I am using the latter primarily to relieve stress on my ageing Dual 450 G4, but am actually quite happy with the sound quality of the delay.

My question is this: I am running a balanced TRS cable out of the output of the TLA-50 (also via the TRS patchbay) and into the DD-6. I am also running 2 TRS cables out of the DD-6 (stereo outputs) and returning to the DAW via the patchbay.

The DD-6 is not officially equipped with TRS inputs and outputs, and I am curious if I am disturbing any part of my signal chain by interfracing it in this way. Again, I have to say that I am not unhappy with the sound I am getting- it is quite good, but I am curious if there is perhaps something else going on that I should be aware of?

Many thanks for any tips!

Cheers,
Andrew

centurymantra · 11th July 2007

I've asked about the 'officially sanctioned' method for interfacing stomp boxes before and haven't gotten really conclusive answers. You'll most likely have some noise issues and a lot of folks just say to consider that part of the process. I have recently taken to occasionally running the unbalanced outboard gear (mostly older analog delays) back through DI boxes and into a channel. I suppose in your case, you could run the balanced signal through a Re-amp box to convert it to the instrument level signal the pedal expects and then run the pedal's output through a DI box and back into a channel. This would be technically "correct" I supppose?

littlelabs · 11th July 2007

From my stuff you can use a PCP (maybe overkill) http://www.littlelabs.com/pcp.html or a Multi Z PIP http://www.littlelabs.com/pip.html. These both will simultaneously bring you from +4dB balanced down to instrument level / impedance and back up to +4dB balanced.
Jonathan

mahler007 · 12th July 2007

Thanks for the posts, you guys...
The little labs stuff looks great- the Pip especially seems useful. Too bad I don't haave $600 to spend on one!

I have a Re-Amp box, and thought about the whole "converting to instrument level after the compressor" thing, running through the delay and then "back into a pre," but this just seems like complete overkill, and likely to add just as much noise as just running into the stopm box to begin with...

In the end, I just mixed with it as I had it. I really didn't have any issues with noise or hum, and it seemed to work completely OK, so I rolled with it... Maybe next trime I won't be so lucky!

Cheers,
Andrew

11th July 2007	#1
mahler007 Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 283 Thread Starter	best way to integrate a stompbox into my OTB processing chain Hi, I am woirking on a mix where I am processing a guitar track OTB. I am going out of the DAW via a balanced patchbay, into a Manley EQ, a Summit Audio TLA-50, and then into a Boss DD-6 digital delay pedal. I am using the latter primarily to relieve stress on my ageing Dual 450 G4, but am actually quite happy with the sound quality of the delay. My question is this: I am running a balanced TRS cable out of the output of the TLA-50 (also via the TRS patchbay) and into the DD-6. I am also running 2 TRS cables out of the DD-6 (stereo outputs) and returning to the DAW via the patchbay. The DD-6 is not officially equipped with TRS inputs and outputs, and I am curious if I am disturbing any part of my signal chain by interfracing it in this way. Again, I have to say that I am not unhappy with the sound I am getting- it is quite good, but I am curious if there is perhaps something else going on that I should be aware of? Many thanks for any tips! Cheers, Andrew

11th July 2007	#2
centurymantra Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 665	I've asked about the 'officially sanctioned' method for interfacing stomp boxes before and haven't gotten really conclusive answers. You'll most likely have some noise issues and a lot of folks just say to consider that part of the process. I have recently taken to occasionally running the unbalanced outboard gear (mostly older analog delays) back through DI boxes and into a channel. I suppose in your case, you could run the balanced signal through a Re-amp box to convert it to the instrument level signal the pedal expects and then run the pedal's output through a DI box and back into a channel. This would be technically "correct" I supppose? __________________ ____________________ Bryan Shoeshine Recording Studio

11th July 2007	#3
littlelabs Little Labs Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 234	From my stuff you can use a PCP (maybe overkill) http://www.littlelabs.com/pcp.html or a Multi Z PIP http://www.littlelabs.com/pip.html. These both will simultaneously bring you from +4dB balanced down to instrument level / impedance and back up to +4dB balanced. Jonathan __________________ Little Labs Professional Audio Design, Manufacturing and Consulting http://www.littlelabs.com/ vox/fax :323.851.6860

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12th July 2007	#4
mahler007 Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 283 Thread Starter	Thanks for the posts, you guys... The little labs stuff looks great- the Pip especially seems useful. Too bad I don't haave $600 to spend on one! I have a Re-Amp box, and thought about the whole "converting to instrument level after the compressor" thing, running through the delay and then "back into a pre," but this just seems like complete overkill, and likely to add just as much noise as just running into the stopm box to begin with... In the end, I just mixed with it as I had it. I really didn't have any issues with noise or hum, and it seemed to work completely OK, so I rolled with it... Maybe next trime I won't be so lucky! Cheers, Andrew