About pre-amps
- Thread starter dave m
- Start date
Sound Cracker
New member
No problem...
You could in effect use external mic preamps.
Two possible ways to do this. One is that you can insert a TRS insert cable into the channel insert and use the RETURN line from the output of the preamp.
On some consoles, there may be a Tape Return. This would be best to use, IF it does not route to the mic preamp (like Mackies do!)
On some consoles, the insert path may not be a TRS connection but rather a seperate Send and Return connectors. In that case, you would simply plug the output of the preamp into the Return.
Any insert sidechain can be interrupted by the Return having something plugged into it, so that is what you are after. If you are using a TRS insert cable, don't worry about the Send cable being hooked up to anything because it will not have any bearing on the sound, EXCEPT that is does share the ground, so make sure the Send connector is not laying on anything that will create another path to ground, that could get weird.
Also, it is a good idea to verify that the Insert sidechain is in fact Pre-Eq and not Post-Eq. On most consoles it is, or there is a switch that can change it. You of course want Pre-Eq so you can still use the channels strips Eq. If you are not sure, hook everything up in one of the ways described above and try adjusting the EQ. If it works, then you are set. If it don't, then the Insert side chain is Post-Eq and while still not unusable, you will need to have an external eq behind your preamp (another cost to you!)
You can actually improve dramatically to quality of a vocal for live use by using something as cheap as the ART Tube MP over many onboard mic preamps. I have done this before in live mixing and really liked the results over the consoles preamps.
Good Day!
You could in effect use external mic preamps.
Two possible ways to do this. One is that you can insert a TRS insert cable into the channel insert and use the RETURN line from the output of the preamp.
On some consoles, there may be a Tape Return. This would be best to use, IF it does not route to the mic preamp (like Mackies do!)
On some consoles, the insert path may not be a TRS connection but rather a seperate Send and Return connectors. In that case, you would simply plug the output of the preamp into the Return.
Any insert sidechain can be interrupted by the Return having something plugged into it, so that is what you are after. If you are using a TRS insert cable, don't worry about the Send cable being hooked up to anything because it will not have any bearing on the sound, EXCEPT that is does share the ground, so make sure the Send connector is not laying on anything that will create another path to ground, that could get weird.
Also, it is a good idea to verify that the Insert sidechain is in fact Pre-Eq and not Post-Eq. On most consoles it is, or there is a switch that can change it. You of course want Pre-Eq so you can still use the channels strips Eq. If you are not sure, hook everything up in one of the ways described above and try adjusting the EQ. If it works, then you are set. If it don't, then the Insert side chain is Post-Eq and while still not unusable, you will need to have an external eq behind your preamp (another cost to you!)
You can actually improve dramatically to quality of a vocal for live use by using something as cheap as the ART Tube MP over many onboard mic preamps. I have done this before in live mixing and really liked the results over the consoles preamps.
Good Day!
Blue Bear Sound
New member
The tape returns on the Mackie 8-buss consoles DO NOT route back thru the pres... according to the block diagram schematic.... I'm not sure if the smaller mixers do or not, but the 8-buss' DON'T........
Bruce
Bruce