Question for gain structure / preamp experts like Blue Bear and others…

[Armistice]

The recent thread around -10 db and +4 dB raised this question in my head.

I’m using outboard pres on a stand alone device (Yamaha AW4416) which has its own onboard pres. It has 8 inputs - 2XLR with phantom power and 8 balanced TRS, with the first 2 being paired with these 2 XLRs in channels 1 & 2, which both also have an insert socket allowing you to insert devices like effects etc... The generally advised method (by AW4416 users) to avoid the onboard pres entirely (without getting an expansion card) is to take the ouput of your outboard pre from via the XLR output, use an unbalanced XLR to TRS cable and plug into the first click of the insert on channels 1 or 2. This seems to work, but I’m wondering if the -10dB / +4dB question raises its head here.

Reason I ask is that I have no real problems getting a good level with my Mindprint Envoice channel strip using this method, but real problems getting a good level with a Presonus MP20 - if I keep the Presonus unit gain so it doesn’t clip, I get a much lower level into the AW4416 - have even taken to running it through an onboard pre as well to boost it from time to time, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of the outboard pre, really. What, if anything, can I do here? Other Presonus MP20 users I’ve chatted to online don’t seem to have gain issues, but they’re not using it the way I am.

Way out of my depth on this one - I’ve printed off and will read the pro-rec articles on my way home from work, just wondering if this method of working is (a) advised (b) damaging the quality of the signal in any way.

Or do I have it totally incorrect?

[TexRoadkill]

Check your manuals and see what the output is on the Presonus. If the Presonus is putting out -10 and the Yamaha is expecting +4 then that could cause the input gain to be pretty low.

TRS jack inserts are unbalanced so if you are sending a balanced signal into an unbalanced input you can lose some gain there as well.

Why don't you just plug the preamps into CH 6-8 to avoid the preamp all together instead of using the insert?

[Armistice]

Tex - thanks, it has 8 preamps - channels 1 - 8, only 2 inserts though - this is the only way to avoid them that I'm aware of.

Will check the manuals as suggested.

Cheers

[tubedude]

Here ya go.... this one could use some reviving...

Click here mofo's

[toby.I.]

i'd go balanced in to the mic amps. you don't add any gain on the yamaha's pres so the shouldn't affect your sound too much. i've done this sucsessfully with yamaha desks and multitrackers before.

[Armistice]

Cool - thanks for the advice and posts all..

Cheers