bypassing preamps on mixer

[BRIEFCASEMANX]

I want to use my DMP3 with my friends Mackie mixer to record the overheads. The rest of the mics will just be going through the mackie. In order to bypass the mixers preamps would i just run 1/4" - 1/4" cords into the 1/4" slots on 2 of the channels, and then turn the gain all the way down? I don't want the subpar preamp of the mixer covering the sound of my supposedly halfway decent DMP3, at least not for the overheads. So basically....how do you use a preamp in conjunction with a mixer?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

You can use the insert returns to bypass the mixer's on-board pres.

 

[xfinsterx]

Hey bear.
When i run stuff through my snake (pro co stagemaster)
so i can record upstairs, is it possible tat im degrading the signal?
Its 100 ft snake.

Also along these lines as this thread.
When i run into the allen and heath to my digi stuff.
Even though im not using the eq section, is the signal still going through the eq circitry?
And does that degrade my signal?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Hey bear.
When i run stuff through my snake (pro co stagemaster)
so i can record upstairs, is it possible tat im degrading the signal?
Its 100 ft snake.

If you're running an unbalanced signal, then it IS possible. A 100ft run is a little long for an unbalanced signal....... as to the quality of cable itself, the difference between cheap and expensive cable really shows up over time, as the cheap cable tends to oxidize and lose some of its conducting capability as compared to the more expensive one that oxidizes very little over time - retaining it full conductive properties.

Also along these lines as this thread.
When i run into the allen and heath to my digi stuff.
Even though im not using the eq section, is the signal still going through the eq circitry?
And does that degrade my signal?

I'm a firm believer in minimal signal path - the closest you can get to connecting the sound source to the recorder by a single cable, the better. So if you're using external pres, connect the outputs directly to the recorder, instead of routing thru the mixer to get to the recorder. Having everything wired to patchbays in typical multitrack configuration helps a great deal with this!

As to the EQ section, if the mixer doesn't have an EQ bypass switch, it is likely the EQ circuit is engaged all the time, but you'd have to look at the specific mixer's block diagram to know for sure.

 

[BRIEFCASEMANX]

okay thanks. I connect the pre to the mixer using 1/4" cables right?

also, when I only need 1 channel I shouldn't go through a mixer, I should just run it straight from the preamp to my soundcard? I'm using a SB card with only 1 line input.

 

[Farview]

okay thanks. I connect the pre to the mixer using 1/4" cables right?

Yes, plugged into the insert, like Blue Bear said.