Dumb Question

ianvargo · 22nd July 2007, 08:19 PM

I read somewhere about someone running a preamp into another preamp...And someone said something about totally f*cking up the first preamp in the chain by switching on the 2nd ones phantom power. If I purchase 2 dual channel preamps, and I was recording drums, would I take the output of he preamp, (right now it's looking like the Pacifica and an ADL 600, and go into the line or mic input of my M-audio project mix?
Also, I would want more then 4 mics recording drums. If I were to use the pre's on the project mix, I would need to send phantom power out. Problem is there's just 1 button that sends phantom power out of all the mic inputs. If I were using the preamps on the 1st 4 channels, would switching on the phantom power ruin the preamps.

Sorry for the silly questions, I have no experience using external mic preamps.

DeeDrive · 22nd July 2007, 10:00 PM

Not sure if phantom power on the 2nd preamp would hurt the 1st preamp, I doubt it, because usually there is some kind of DC coupling on the output of a preamp (transformer, capacitors, etc.)

But yes, you should go in the line inputs rather than the mic inputs, simply to avoid unnecessary analog stages in the 2nd preamp. Then you can use the phantom power on your other channels with no problems. Hope this helps.

8th_note · 22nd July 2007, 10:12 PM

There is a mic/line switch for each of the 8 inputs. You would select the line option for any external preamps you are running into the Project Mix. You should check the manual to be sure but it's very likely that selecting the line option will disable the phantom power to that channel. In fact, phantom power may only be available if you plug an XLR connector into the input. If you use a 1/4" jack to connect your external preamp the unit may not even supply phantom power to the 1/4" balanced configuration in any case.

ianvargo · 22nd July 2007, 10:13 PM

Are there line outs on the back of the pacifica or ADL?

Mike Caffrey · 22nd July 2007, 10:34 PM

There was a thread 6-12 months ago about this. I think it started from a comment about pre-EQ-pre.

Someone who knows what he's talking about recently mentioned this idea to me. I haven't tried it, but he swears that pluggin a pre into the mic input of a second pre sounds amazing.

There are a whole bunch of likely problems with this, but who knows what interesting weirdness may be going on.

DeeDrive · 23rd July 2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianvargo

Are there line outs on the back of the pacifica or ADL?

Yes, the purpose of a mic pre is to get mic signals to line level. EVERY mic pre has line outs.

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22nd July 2007, 08:19 PM	#1
ianvargo Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 148	Dumb Question I read somewhere about someone running a preamp into another preamp...And someone said something about totally f*cking up the first preamp in the chain by switching on the 2nd ones phantom power. If I purchase 2 dual channel preamps, and I was recording drums, would I take the output of he preamp, (right now it's looking like the Pacifica and an ADL 600, and go into the line or mic input of my M-audio project mix? Also, I would want more then 4 mics recording drums. If I were to use the pre's on the project mix, I would need to send phantom power out. Problem is there's just 1 button that sends phantom power out of all the mic inputs. If I were using the preamps on the 1st 4 channels, would switching on the phantom power ruin the preamps. Sorry for the silly questions, I have no experience using external mic preamps.

22nd July 2007, 10:00 PM	#2
DeeDrive Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 894	Not sure if phantom power on the 2nd preamp would hurt the 1st preamp, I doubt it, because usually there is some kind of DC coupling on the output of a preamp (transformer, capacitors, etc.) But yes, you should go in the line inputs rather than the mic inputs, simply to avoid unnecessary analog stages in the 2nd preamp. Then you can use the phantom power on your other channels with no problems. Hope this helps. __________________ There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't. Jonaspark Mobile Recording: http://www.jonaspark.com http://www.myspace.com/mattdistad http://www.myspace.com/froghollowdaycamp

22nd July 2007, 10:12 PM	#3
8th_note Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 618	There is a mic/line switch for each of the 8 inputs. You would select the line option for any external preamps you are running into the Project Mix. You should check the manual to be sure but it's very likely that selecting the line option will disable the phantom power to that channel. In fact, phantom power may only be available if you plug an XLR connector into the input. If you use a 1/4" jack to connect your external preamp the unit may not even supply phantom power to the 1/4" balanced configuration in any case. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/mudsharkstudios

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22nd July 2007, 10:13 PM	#4
ianvargo Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 148	Are there line outs on the back of the pacifica or ADL?

22nd July 2007, 10:34 PM	#5
Mike Caffrey Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,613	There was a thread 6-12 months ago about this. I think it started from a comment about pre-EQ-pre. Someone who knows what he's talking about recently mentioned this idea to me. I haven't tried it, but he swears that pluggin a pre into the mic input of a second pre sounds amazing. There are a whole bunch of likely problems with this, but who knows what interesting weirdness may be going on.