Need help setting up a Mic Pre

[c9-2001]

i have a valley audio 401 right now..
i've been using the pres built in my tascam console but i want to use the outboard pre..
my artist are use to hearing themselfs in the headphone.
I know i need a xlr to 1/4 inch cable.. can i send the mic pre signal to the console in a "insert" and use the console to route the signal to the headphones and my delta 1010???

[jake-owa]

There's no reason why you can't use the pre in the inserts of the TASCAM console. Obviously you'd want to turn the preamp of the channel inserted on all the way down but it should work fine. I guess if the inserts are post eq it would affect the way the eq works but I believe most inserts are directly after the preamp.

[c9-2001]

i don't have to worry about the gain control on my console when i use a insert.. it bypasses everything.. its just the tru signal..an di also have some channels that don't have pres so i should be ok.. i'll go get the wires tomorrow and test it out

[jake-owa]

Untrue, the insert does not bypass anything it inserts whatever is plugged into it into the signal chain. Otherwise you would not be able to insert a compressor into a mic signal...that does not make any sense. I have an TASCAM M-600 and it does not "bypass" anything with the inserts.


Just make sure you are not using two separate gain stages in the signal chain.

[toby.I.]

what is the latency like on the 10-10 ? the two points of using an external mic pre are to have a higher quality pre than that in your console and to bypass the long signal chain it takes to get your console pre to your multi track, unless you are using a certain pre for delibrate colouration. It would make more sense to take the out from the pre into the 10-10 ( if your latency is short enough) and take the out of the 10-10 in to the desk for moniter purposes.


and yes you would bypass some circitry by feeding the pre out into the insert return, as opposed to a line. You would bypass the preamp, and possibly the eq ( unlikely, but i don't know the desk), but not the aux.

[c9-2001]

Originally posted by jake-owa
Untrue, the insert does not bypass anything it inserts whatever is plugged into it into the signal chain. Otherwise you would not be able to insert a compressor into a mic signal...that does not make any sense. I have an TASCAM M-600 and it does not "bypass" anything with the inserts.


Just make sure you are not using two separate gain stages in the signal chain.

Originally posted by toby.I.
and yes you would bypass some circitry by feeding the pre out into the insert return, as opposed to a line. You would bypass the preamp, and possibly the eq ( unlikely, but i don't know the desk), but not the aux.

just as Toby said, in a insert my console bypasses the eq,preamp, and the fader, not the aux.. and thats how i send the signal to my 1010 anyways.. i have a TASCAM M-1600/24.

as for latency, i'm sitting around 2-3ms.. very low.. the pre in the console doesn'r have very good mid lows and is kinda bright.. the 401 has a great sound overall, a deesser, and a compressor

[toby.I.]

i would feed the pre in to the 10-10, and moniter the output ( send it through the aux on the return channel strip). this will be fine with your latency. it is always wise to moniter post recorder anyway for many reasons ( too many to list)

This way,i expect, will sound slightly better than than feeding the pre into the into the insert, but as jake says, as long as your bypassing the other pre the difference should be minimal.