Best way to hook up channel strip into a digi rig?

[fip]

What is the best way of approaching the integration of a pro preamp/eq into a digital recording setup? Currently both my options for getting the audio into the computer use what I would call prosumer connections. I have been assuming that hooking the XLR outs of the pro gear into the prosumer mic input and turning the input gain all the way down will alow me to inject the full personality of the strip with minimal alteration. Is this the best approach? Am I missing something? Thanks for any insights!

 

[jonnyc]

You should have some inputs that don't have a preamp. What type of interface are you using. In my 002r I have 4 preamps and 4 1/4" inputs that don't have a preamp.

 

[SonicAlbert]

Yes, if possible avoid going through another preamp. Line level inputs are what you need. What interface are you using?

 

[fip]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I've begun to suspect that.

This will work fine for the less expensive RNP that I picked up- its output is an unbalanced 1/4 inch jack. But the real kicker is that I decided to finally drop some money on a single channel of Great River Pre and EQ. These pro outputs are balanced XLR. The breakout box that I've been working with is the Edirol FA101. It has a pair of mic pres and then 6 balanced/unbalanced 1/4 jacks. There's also a pair of toslink optical inputs- basicly adat style adapters but carrying two channels.

Seems like I am going to have to find another piece of gear if I want to avoid the edirol mic pres. Could it be as simple as a balanced XLR to 1/4 adapter cord? I haven't found any other gear that uses the toslink or that might have been an option.

If I do need to connect via the XLR combo jack (which feeds the pres) is this a disaster or just an imperfect solution? Any additional thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated!

 

[Richard Monroe]

Send the XLR line outs to a 1/4" trs plug into a 1/4" balanced line in. The XLR's are *line* outs, not mic outputs. Just because it's an XLR doesn't mean it's mic level. Don't plug a line out into a mic in. You could damage your sound card, and it will sound like shit.-Richie

 

[jonnyc]

yeah all you have to do is get an xlr to 1/4" cable thats what I have running from my eureka to my digi.

 

[fip]

yeah all you have to do is get an xlr to 1/4" cable thats what I have running from my eureka to my digi.

Sounds good. Richie, I understood this in principle for many years. These connectrs are those new XLR/TSR combo inputs. I have never been clear whether the xlr mic input will act as a line level when presented with such a signal. Virtually all the literature I've come across on them ignore this potential confusion and talk about accepting "mic or line" without going into detail.