Connecting a preamp to an audio interface

[durre]

I feel that I don't know enough about this topic and was hoping you guys could help me out. I want the best possible signal chain but don't know how to set it up. I want to do:

Mic -> Great River ME1NV preamp -> Apogee Duet -> Computer/Logic.

First. There's cables to be connected. Balanced, unbalanced, instrument in/out, xlr. Then there are settings in the software... +4, -10, and what not. I have no idea what all these things actually mean.

Could anyone clear this up once and for all? (in a _very_ easy to grasp kind of way)

[emkay]

Originally Posted by durre

I feel that I don't know enough about this topic and was hoping you guys could help me out. I want the best possible signal chain but don't know how to set it up. I want to do:

Mic -> Great River ME1NV preamp -> Apogee Duet -> Computer/Logic.

First. There's cables to be connected. Balanced, unbalanced, instrument in/out, xlr. Then there are settings in the software... +4, -10, and what not. I have no idea what all these things actually mean.

Could anyone clear this up once and for all? (in a _very_ easy to grasp kind of way)

C;mon brother this is Gearslutz!
You just can't leave us hanging by writing-"Mic -> Great River ME1NV preamp -> Apogee Duet -> Computer/Logic."!
Someone could lose an eye!!

[durre]

Röde NT-1000, but I doubt that will help you, help me

[Jake Dempsey]

Use good quality xlr cables and run your interface at the lower gain setting. That will help prevent clipping.

[ColourSurround]

How important is it to have a solid A/D converter in the signal chain? I mean, I know it's important but will it really make that much world of difference in the sound of the mix? I'm building up a new rig including a Neumann TLM 103 and U-87, an ADL 600 going into an MBox 2, but I've always wondered if having the converter is truly a necessity.

PiN

[seriousfun]

Originally Posted by durre

...Mic -> Great River ME1NV preamp -> Apogee Duet -> Computer/Logic.

First. There's cables to be connected. Balanced, unbalanced, instrument in/out, xlr. Then there are settings in the software... +4, -10, and what not. ...

All of your gear seems to have balanced I/O - use these. Balanced connections can be made using either XLR or TRS (1/4" tip-ring-sleeve connectors).

Instrument inputs would have an extra transformer or circuitry to accept a magnetic or piezo pickup instrument, so don't use those.

Run all of them at +4 (or all at -10, or whatever, as long as they match).

There are exceptions to every rule, but these generally work.

Originally Posted by ColourSurround

How important is it to have a solid A/D converter in the signal chain? ...

PiN

Your MBox is the converter - you already have one. There's always something better, but only you can decide what's better.

[durre]

Originally Posted by seriousfun

All of your gear seems to have balanced I/O - use these. Balanced connections can be made using either XLR or TRS (1/4" tip-ring-sleeve connectors).

Instrument inputs would have an extra transformer or circuitry to accept a magnetic or piezo pickup instrument, so don't use those.

Run all of them at +4 (or all at -10, or whatever, as long as they match).

There are exceptions to every rule, but these generally work.



Your MBox is the converter - you already have one. There's always something better, but only you can decide what's better.

Thank you!

But... if I connect XLR -> XLR wont I be using the duets preamp aswell? Writing this, I found a setting in the duet for input 1. I can set it to XLR Line +4db instad of original (XLR mic), will that bypass the preamp?