Digital preamp to focusrite

Kevrogmar

Kevrogmar

New member
Hi all

I am new to home recording and this forum. I use a DBX 386 preamp for live acoustic and vocals in the analog settings. There is a digital out too - can I take the digital out and plug into my focusrite? I have tried it but there was a lot of static and noise so I unplugged and just went direct into the focusrite- any help in using the preamp first would be appreciated.
 
Kevrogmar said:
No - I will check that out. Thanks for the advice.
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Also, use the shortest cable you can get away with. 'Domestic' S/PDIF was intended to link digital devices like MD recorders to amps etc and the cables were around a mtr. You CAN go much further but you need good quality cable and it MUST be 75 Ohms impedance.

Nine out of ten, any crap old RCA cable works but you can be caught out. And, make sure the Focusrite is 'slaved' to the digital source.

Dave.
 
I was using a very long TRS cable with AES xlr from the back of the preamp to a 1/4 inch Inpit on the focusrite solo. There is no spdif inputs on the focusrite.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
If there's no digital input, you can't connect digitally.
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DOH! To be complete? In any digital setup one device must be the MASTER and all others 'slave' to it. Paradoxically the 'best' device should slave to an inferior one.

OP. mate. you can buy SPDIF to 2 analogue outputs quite cheaply. Called a "Digital to Analogue Converter' DAC. "ADCs" can also be found, tend to be a bit more expensive and make double BANG sure you are getting the right one!

Dave.
 
Which "Focusrite" do you have? Some models have SP/DIF inputs, others don't. I was under the assumption that you had the inputs since you asked the question.
 
The Focusrite Solo does NOT have a digital input so you must go in analogue. If you only record one source at a time - try going direct into the solo, then do it through the DBX and see which is better sounding to your ears.
 
ecc83 said:
OP. mate. you can buy SPDIF to 2 analogue outputs quite cheaply. Called a "Digital to Analogue Converter' DAC.
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The 386 has analog outputs. No need for any additional converters. The ADC in the Focusrite is probably as good as the one in the dbx.
 
No need to overthink this. Unless the converters in the 386 are noticeably better or your only available input is digital, there's no good reason to use them.
 
Waring! Hobby horse is galloping out! This thread reinforces my strong opinion that even though they seem good value for money, these single mic input interfaces really are next to useless for anyone intending music recording.

Yes, they are perhaps ok for podding or Skype (but a USB headset for $30 is even better for the latter IMHO) and yes, there ARE some expensive, very high performance interfaces with only a single mic channel but these are for specialist use and have other functions not found on the whale ***t 'singles'. There are many very good dual mic input AIs around now for under $100 . I had the Behringer UMC 204HD and it was a very serviceable device. The mic pres especially have enough gain and low enough noise for speech recordings with a dynamic mic. Only just perhaps but they will serve.

So, think on newbs...You CAN get down the frog on a unicycle but it is a lot 'king easier on a bike!

Dave.
 
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