SP-C1 into DMP3

[Reggaesoldier]

So I just hooked my C1 into my DMP3 and then into a behringer mx802a. When I use trs1/4" to trs1/4" It seems to be ok. But when I use a trs 1/4" to XLR, into the mixer I am forever clipping (in the mixer). The preamp can be all the way down and I can turn up the mixer channel a bit and still fuckin clip out the mixer. I've tried everything I think. Any Ideas? I know XLR adds around 10 dbs or so, but is that really doing it?

[Leeking]

connect your DMP3 output straight to the soundcard.

[christiaan]

Originally Posted by Leeking

connect your DMP3 output straight to the soundcard.

Correct.

If you go from the DMP3 to the XLRs of the Behringer board, you have the signal passing two preamps. That's asking for trouble.

[Reggaesoldier]

thanx, but why? why is it asking for trouble? and I have an mr8. Im not recording to the computer so a sound card is out of the question right now. And fuck plugging the XLR's into the mr8, the pre-amps on those, including mine, suck fuckin balls!

[gordone]

Mic into XLR inputs on your preamp, take a 1/4" TS (unbalanced) cable out from your pre into the unbalanced 1/4" input on your MR8. Now was that so hard?

Originally Posted by Reggaesoldier

thanx, but why? why is it asking for trouble? and I have an mr8. Im not recording to the computer so a sound card is out of the question right now. And f*ck plugging the XLR's into the mr8, the pre-amps on those, including mine, suck f*ckin balls!

[noisedude]

You get problems because the pre isn't expecting a line-level signal. What's worse is that even if you use the 1/4" input on the Behringers, it switches your signal down and then 're-amps' it ... what a waste of all that clean gain from your DMP3.

Hope that helps.

[Reggaesoldier]

Originally Posted by noisedude

You get problems because the pre isn't expecting a line-level signal. What's worse is that even if you use the 1/4" input on the Behringers, it switches your signal down and then 're-amps' it ... what a waste of all that clean gain from your DMP3.

Hope that helps.

well what would you do? is there a mixer that is worth it? or should I just get a soundcard and a delta1010 or sum shit like that? And wouldn't running the dmp3 into the mr8's ins be reamping it too?

[noisedude]

I'm not familiar with the mr8 but sometimes if you input by the jack connection on the SIABs it bypasses the pre. Whether you go the computer route depends on how you feel about computers ... I'm happy to use one for the versatility it gives me, but plenty of other folks aren't so keen because they feel they're a bit of a liability.

A DMP3 is a better preamp than you're going to find in any mixer around this price range.

The answer is, I dunno. I'd always go the computer route - a Delta 44 with your mixer and DMP3 would give you four channels of inputs and the option of using the Tape Ins as a headphone amp (just make sure you switch the mains out of the little headphone matrix).

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You need to find out for sure if you can bypass the pres on the MR 8. If not then any outboard pres you use aren't going to do anything to improve your sound.

Take it from someone who learned the hard way

[Ravenwing]

I think Gordone nailed it. If you go the 1/4 inch cable from the DMP3 to the 1/4 inch-in on the MR8, and set the MR8 input to line/mic level, you'll be ok. That's what I've been doing, (I have both an MR8 and a DMP3) with both an SM57 and a Condenser mic. Seems to work fine for me. I don't know anything about the Berringer, maybe you can't get around it's pre's that way.

[Reggaesoldier]

I use 2 (BAL)1/4" to XLR cables from the DMP3 into the MR-8. Would that change the signal or bypass the mr8's pres? In other words, is there any reason why I should plug into the 1/4" ins vs. the XLR ins? Or does it make any difference? Does it bypass the mr8 pres? And Kevin, So are you saying that, yes the MR8 IS re-amping the signal? I really appreciate the input. Thanx

[noisedude]

Usually plugging into the jack socket will bypass the pre ... if there's a Line/Mic switch choose 'Line' because a mic pres job is to raise to line level. Sorry, I dunno your specific model though.

[Reggaesoldier]

so I was thinkning. What is the point of a pre amp if whatever I plug into is going to re amp my signal anyway? Unless I go into bal 1/4" jacks? This is what I am understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong. On mixers and DAW's and whatever else that will take an XLR input, I need to go through the 1/4'' jack(s) to bypass the pres?

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by Reggaesoldier

I use 2 (BAL)1/4" to XLR cables from the DMP3 into the MR-8. Would that change the signal or bypass the mr8's pres? In other words, is there any reason why I should plug into the 1/4" ins vs. the XLR ins? Or does it make any difference? Does it bypass the mr8 pres? And Kevin, So are you saying that, yes the MR8 IS re-amping the signal? I really appreciate the input. Thanx

Hey reggaesoldier, sorry if I gave the impression of knowing what I'm talking about

I use an all in one recorder and I basically cannot bypass the preamps. I have channels with both xlr and trs inputs and the gain knob says Line on the left and mic on the right. If you have a line level signal you can turn the gain knob fully left and still get a signal.
The difference between using xlr over TRS (in this instance) is that the xlr's can carry phantom power and are balanced. The TRS are unbalanced inputs.

The main point is (I think) that you're signal is not 'bypassing' the pre amp as such but with the gain knob turned fully left (line) the pre amp isn't being used to boost the gain of your signal.

In other words there's no point using an external pre. I've asked the question why and the answer is that a signal travelling through a good pre and then through a not so good pre (or vice versa) will only sound as good as the not so good pre.

The MR 8 may be different but this is why you need to find out if the signal is actually bypassing the pre amp circuit.

I hope this has been more help than hinderance and good luck with it.

[noisedude]

What he said. On cheap mixers, there's no avoiding their cheap pres. If you turn the gain right down you will get less of an effect.

You need to find out what's going on with your box ... find a circuit diagram in your manual or something similar.

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Just had a look at a schematic for the MR 8. It seems both xlr and TRS inputs are routed through the pre amp so what I said earlier (backed up by Nik) applies.

You've stumbled upon arguably the biggest disadvantage to all in one recorders. You're tied to their pres.

Sorry Bud

[noisedude]

Unlucky ... make the most of your unit and when you need better .... sell it to another unsuspecting beginner.

Nik

[Ed Dixon]

Have your tried connecting your mic directly to the MR8 XLR input. I find that combination works pretty well. I used both condensor and various dynamic mics and all seemed to produce quite good audio.

Ed

[Kevin Deschwazi]

"Have your tried connecting your mic directly to the MR8 XLR input. I find that combination works pretty well. I used both condensor and various dynamic mics and all seemed to produce quite good audio."

I thought he made his thoughts on that quite clear!!!

Originally Posted by Reggaesoldier

And fuck plugging the XLR's into the mr8, the pre-amps on those, including mine, suck fuckin balls!

I agree though, best to try and get the best out of what you've got sometimes.

Short signal chain is a plus to units like these.

[Ed Dixon]

Sorry, did not see that comment.

I might question whether the unit has a problem. I have seen comments from others on the Fostex forum who had similar problems. Some replaced their unit and the problem went away.

I use the MR8 in a home recording environment, generally with a condensor mic. The recording gear and PCs are in one room and the mic and vocalist in another room with windows. Trying to record in the morning is hard, as birds chirping outside are clear as a bell in the recorded result. Recording at night here works much better.

Ed

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You may well be right but from what it says in the first post the problem seemed to occur before the signal reached the MR 8 (ie. clipping in the mixer).

Who knows? outboard pre to mixer to all-in-one recorder just seems like an unnecessarily convoluted signal path to me. I mean are all those things actually doing anything beneficial to the sound?

[Ed Dixon]

Agree.

I usually start with the simplest signal path and see how that works. Having a mic go directly into the MR8 works well for me. Having an intial preamp, then a mixer, then the MR8 sounds like too much.

Ed

[noisedude]

It's not a case of too much - it's that it's pointless. That's been the subject of the whole thread. How come you're having the discussion from the start of the thread all over? If he's lumped with the pres that's the end of it I'm afraid ... till he advertises the unit on ebay.

[Ed Dixon]

That's why they call these "Discussion Forums". People discuss the problem. One comments and another responds.

If the mic directly connected to the MR8 has a sound problem, then I would expect one of those two items to have a problem.

Ed

[noisedude]

What are you talking about? His gear doesn't have a problem. He's just finding that it doesn't sound that good.

As for 'discussions' - you don't even read the thread before answering - that's why you started asking questions from about 20 posts ago. You just come on and type your opinion and ask stupid questions ignoring the contents of the thread.