Connecting PreAmp to an Interface... Is This Correct?

[LouieV]

Connecting PreAmp to an Interface... Is This Correct?

Hello There,

This is my first post here in the forums and Im very thankful that I found this forum since I really wanted to start on home recording for so long.

I have a question about the connections. I really am sorry i think this is a stupid question but I just wanted to make sure...

Im planning to get the basic equipment for recording.

Shure SM57
Presonous Blue Tube Preamp
M Audio Fast Track USB Computer Recording Interface

I already have a mac and of course my basic live gear(guitars/amps/effects pedals)

I wanted to ask a question about the connections.
This is how I plan to connect the recording equipment. Please tell me better connections or if I'm doing something wrong:


As For Recording: Guitar > Effects > Amp -> (Im going to mic the amp) ShureSM57 -> Presonous Blue Tube Pre Amp -> USB Computer Recording Interface -> (USB of Interface) Computer.

As for Monitoring Sound: I plan to hook up the Stereo Output Jacks of the interface to the Preamp and monitor my sound from the preamp by hooking up stereo monitors from the pre amp.

Also I have a question about the interface: Does it need to be an AUdio interface or a Recording Interface or is that the same? Im planning to get the M Audio Fast Track USB. Im sorry if these are newb questions...

Please help me with this. Am I doing the right connections?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thank You Very Much

 

[Chili]

It doesn't sound like your monitoring connection is correct. If I'm reading your post right; you want to go out of the M-Audio box to the presonus pre-amp then to speakers to monitor your tracks. This won't work. The preamp only puts out line level signals which is not enough to drive a speaker. Plus, you will already be using the preamp for your mic.

You'll need a separate power amp to drive your speakers.

Audio Interface = Recording Interface.

Have fun.

 

[guitar zero]

The Fast Track has a headphone jack you can use for monitoring.

 

[LouieV]

It doesn't sound like your monitoring connection is correct. If I'm reading your post right; you want to go out of the M-Audio box to the presonus pre-amp then to speakers to monitor your tracks. This won't work. The preamp only puts out line level signals which is not enough to drive a speaker. Plus, you will already be using the preamp for your mic.

You'll need a separate power amp to drive your speakers.

Audio Interface = Recording Interface.

Have fun.

Thanks for the advice. How about the rca left/right outs of the Interface? Can I use to monitor my sound?

 

[LouieV]

The Fast Track has a headphone jack you can use for monitoring.

Yup but i there are also line outs (Left and right) in the Fast track right? could I also use that for monitoring? could I plug in speakers to those so that i could monitor my sound?

 

[Chili]

Those Line Outs will have to go to a power amp. If you have powered monitors, then you can go straight to them. If not, you'll have to go to a power amp that drive the speakers. The Line Outs themselves cannot drive a speaker, you need a power amp. A lot of studio monitors will have power amps built in them, so you don't need to buy a separate component. Most home stereo speakers do not and they require power amps to drive them.

If you want to monitor what is playing while you are recording a track, you'll want to use headphones as GZ suggested. If you want monitors for mixdown after tracking, then you can use the Line Outs.

Hope this helps.