Hot inputs/no PAD with Project Mix, will Presonus yield same problem?

[Guitardude324]

Hey, not sure which forum to post this in, move or delete if this is the wrong place!

I had an M-Audio Project Mix until a few days ago. When recording direct bass, snare drum, and even overheads, the inputs would clip even though I had the gain set as low as possible. I really hated this, and didn't want to buy separate PADs, so I no longer have this unit. (Sold for other reasons as well)

I'm very interested in the Presonus Firestudio/Digimax combo, and am about to pull the trigger, but I just was to check and ask if I will have the same problem with this unit, or are the inputs not as hot as the project mix?

Is this a common problem I was having? Would I need to have either a unit with built in PAD or a separate PAD to solve this issue?

Thank you very much!

And maybe a follow up question. If this will also be an issue with the Presonus gear, what rated Pad would be appropriate? Would a few 20dB pad be adequate most likely, or would it be a better idea to get some 10dB or 30 or 40dB ones as well? I record mainly live rock bands in the bar scene.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

A perfect answer would require also knowing which microphones you're using and what their specs are also. It's a matter of matching output/input inpedances (in ohms) between the mic and the preamp well along with matching the mic's output voltage (in dB or dBu) with the amplification range of the preamp (also in dB).

The impedeance ranges usually are not that great of an issue, but they can factor in in marginal cases where the voltage and gain ranges are pushing the envelope.

To get the handle on how to match up mics and preamps and how to read and match the specifications of each, head over to www.independentrecording.net and click on the icon for the "Metering and Gain Structure" online app. One you have that app up on your screen, check out the "Gain Structure Browser" on the bottom right. Click on the icon for microphone and then the one for mic preamp for a discussion on matching levels between the two from each side of the equation.

HTH,

G.

 

[Guitardude324]

Thank you for that information.

The most disturbing thing to me was that I was using a regular SM57 on the snare, which is very common, yet I was clipping, which is something i had not ever heard of.

I have since read a few threads about the Project Mix, specifically having an issue with very hot mic inputs. That's why i'm wondering if it is an issue that is with the Project Mix but probably not with the Presonus gear I listed?

I am highly considering sampling my drum sounds, but i would like to have the original usable, obviously.

 

[dgatwood]

Thank you for that information.

The most disturbing thing to me was that I was using a regular SM57 on the snare, which is very common, yet I was clipping, which is something i had not ever heard of.

I have since read a few threads about the Project Mix, specifically having an issue with very hot mic inputs. That's why i'm wondering if it is an issue that is with the Project Mix but probably not with the Presonus gear I listed?

I am highly considering sampling my drum sounds, but i would like to have the original usable, obviously.

I'm thinking the Project Mix just sucks. You shouldn't need a pad with an SM57. If you were using a condenser, then yeah, I could see you needing a pad for some pres, but not with an SM57.

Either that or your SM57 has a torn membrane or something, but it seems more likely that the Project Mix just has poorly designed pres. More specifically, the preamp gain control is probably on the output side of the preamp instead of the input, making it useless at preventing clipping. I've occasionally seen hardware wired like that, and it makes me want to pick the hardware designer up and throw him/her as hard as I can....

 

[Guitardude324]

Okay, that's what I was assuming from what I've read. I haven't heard anyone have this issue with the Presonus gear...hopefully i don't have any driver issues!

Thanks!