RME Babyface + Great River ME-1 NV??

[brew]

Originally Posted by weirdfishee

I've currently got an RME Babyface, and after a fair bit of research have decided that maybe a Great River ME-1 NV would be the step in the right direction for nailing some lovely DI bass, as well as being well suited to vocals.

Take a deeper look at the IO of your RME. It already has a Hi-Z input for DI bass, and it has two mic pres. Thus adding a mic pre like the GR is just a luxury.

Originally Posted by weirdfishee

I am however a wee bit stumped as to how to use the two units together. My understanding when I picked up the Babyface was that you expanded to exterior pre amps through the Digital I/O: optical S/PDIF or ADAT..however on a quick look at the GR I can see that it only a 1/4" TRS output (-10dbV) and a balanced XLR output...no digital out.

Most analog mic pres do not have digital connections. External mic pres are generally connected to line level inputs. If you want to use the digital IO you, um, need a device with digital IO. Otherwise it's square pegs round holes.

Originally Posted by weirdfishee

So am I right in thinking I would not be using the digital i/o at all to expand on my babyface with the Babyface, but would be best simply going from one of those outputs on the great river into an XLR input on the babyface?

An external mic pre should go into the line level input of an interface, not the mic level input. Your RME has two of each.

Originally Posted by weirdfishee

I understand the babyface may have a maximum input signal of +12dBu..however the Great River is capable of up to 60dB...does this mean it would be really difficult to get the most out of the Great River with a Babyface?

You are confusing dBu with dB gain. dBu is an actual voltage level. dB gain is an amount of trim. There is not problem with connecting either of these devices to anything else.

Originally Posted by weirdfishee

I suspect my lack of understanding of gain staging is the culprit here

Yes, but you have to start somewhere.

[weirdfishee]

Thanks Brew, you are a star.

The instrument DI on the babyface was indeed a pretty big step up from my old M-audio Box pre's, but as ever, I'm still chasing that elusive "bigger, better, beefier" sound in my head! Thanks for clearing up my newbie queries

[e3p0]

I too have a Babyface, and it does NOT have two of each. It only has XLR ins that can accept line level.

From the manual:
analog input 2 can be switched in TotalMix between line (low impedance, balanced, at the breakout cable) and instrument (high impedance, unbalanced, TRS jack at the unit).

The Babyface has two analog microphone inputs that can operate as line inputs with levels up to +12 dBu, when set to 0 dB gain. The electronic input stage uses a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced and balanced signals correctly, automatically adjusting the level reference.

So if you choose to use your Babyface with line level devices, adjust gain accordingly. Or as you already know, invest in some A/D or pre with digital outs. There are a handful of single/ dual channel out there (Focusrite ISA 430mkII, ISA One both use an optional A/D card), and a few 8 channel ones too (like RME Octamic, Focusrite OctoPre)

I hope this helps.
-e

[weirdfishee]

Cheers e3p0 - I think i'm gonna hold fire on pulling a trigger on a pre for the moment to accompany my Babyface...mostly due to the dillema of choice! My thinking currently is on endless loop of Great River..Pacifica...Great River..Pacifica lol

Thanks for the advice everyone