MR816X - now I'm confused...

[hpp99]

Hi all,
maybe someone can clear this out for me with a definitve answer...
I did a search here and found answers that leave me confused / seem to oppose each other.
I am thinking about upgrading from a Duet to a Steinberg MR816X because of the higher feature set, and read everywhere that soundwise the MR816X is totally cool. I am on Cubase, so also looking forward to the integration thing. BUT:
I am thinking about getting some decent external pres, and with the Duet it is simple: plug them in, set the Duet inputs to +4 line, and off you go.
Witht eh MR816X, I read various things:
1) You can plug them into all 8 preamps, but have to activate the pad and put the input gain quite far down, and it colours the signal a littel
2) You can plug them into the inserts on channel 1 and 2 and they go straight into the AD, no preamp coloration
3) You can plug them into the inserts on channel 2, but have to use something to change the usually balanced signal from the preamp to an unbalanced signal for the insert
Well, I simply look for a way to simply plug external pres (looking into various options here, UA stuff and 500 series interest me the most) simply into a suitable input on the MR816X as simply as possible simply without coloring the sound somehow. Can anybody provide me with a simple answer if that is simply possible?

[Amun Ra]

I think the consensus is that you can plug your external preamps into the preamps of the mr816, turn the gain down, and make excellent recordings. The colouration of the mr816 preamps is not detrimental to the source in any way at these gain levels. If you like to futz about you can run your preamps into the mr816 insert points and avoid going through the mr816 preamps, but then you have to run them unbalanced, and you will only be able to connect 2 at a time.

I run my 500-series preamps through the mr816 preamps with the gain turned all the way down (pad on), and I could not be happier with the sounds I'm getting.

[shanabit]

Originally Posted by hpp99

Witht eh MR816X, I read various things:

1) You can plug them into all 8 preamps, but have to activate the pad and put the input gain quite far down, and it colours the signal a littel
Doesnt color jack IMO, sounds great

2) You can plug them into the inserts on channel 1 and 2 and they go straight into the AD, no preamp coloration
The Pres are VERY neutral so you dont hear any COLORATION IMO, yes you can bypass the pres on channels 1 and 2

3) You can plug them into the inserts on channel 2, but have to use something to change the usually balanced signal from the preamp to an unbalanced signal for the insert
Actually you can plug in a balanced cable and it works just fine here on the inserts 1 or 2


Well, I simply look for a way to simply plug external pres (looking into various options here, UA stuff and 500 series interest me the most) simply into a suitable input on the MR816X as simply as possible simply without coloring the sound somehow. Can anybody provide me with a simple answer if that is simply possible?

Dont believe all this "MR pres color the sound" bunch of BS IMO, I dont hear it.

This unit sounds FANTASTIC to me. Best purchase I made this year!!!