Consumer vs pro line levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter notCardio
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notCardio

I walk the line
I'll try to make this short & sweet (unlike most of my posts). I just bought a Behringer MX802A mixer (no comments please!) and neither the manual nor the website covers this topic. Can I run the main outputs from the mixer to the line ins of a home stereo or will this be the wrong level (+4 vs -10)? If I can't, can I at least run the RCA outs (intended for 2-track according to the manual) to a home stereo? Or is this 2 track intended for professional level 2 track equipment? Can I run the line outs of a stereo or a non-semipro soundcard (i.e. Soundblaster level) to the 2 track inputs of the mixer? Any Behringer owners who have their mixer hooked up to non-pro equipment care to tell me about their setup?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I doubt the 802 runs at +4, so you should be ok... but anyways, connect it up, listen to it, if you hear distortion at low levels, you've got a gain mismatch, if not, you're fine!

Bruce
 
the RCA question

I would say no problem kooking it up to a stereo. Some boards have adjustable main outs also. I do not know on yours. do you just want this for monitoring?
 
Thanks for the prompt replies!

Freudian: Yes, I want to be able to monitor what's being recorded through the board, as well as the playback from my consumer level soundcard . But I also want to be able to use the line outs from my stereo to the line inputs of my board to be able to do LP to CD transfers when I get a better soundcard (turntable to receiver to board to soundcard).

Bruce: I realize that this board is near the bottom of the prosumer food chain, but you don't think the balanced main outs would be +4? Or do you just think that the 2track outs would not be +4? Wouldn't the balanced main outs need to be +4 to drive a dedicated amp, as in a Hafler or Alesis, or do those type of amps have variable inputs? If this is true, then I guess I'm more confused than I thought. Is there anything that someone can recommend I read that has a simplified explanation of how to tell what's consumer, what's professional, and what's prosumer?:confused:
 
The only way to know is to look at the specs - usually at the back of the manual.

But, as I said... try it, it should work.

Bruce
 
I have always ran cd players and tape decks into my boards using rca to 1/4 inch cables and I've yet to have a problem. You just set the input gain on the board to a loud cd and walla. You will not hurt an amp stero ext. running to little gain into it and the only pace I see is in question is board to sound card and board to stereo. I would try it with the main out turned all the way down on the board and then slowly creep it up while music is running. You are going to have a touchy system if the board is +4 and a slip of the finger or a moment of confusion could cause you trouble. If you got a nasty feed back or something it could pop your card or stereo. I would just be very carefull.

I think you'll find it almost imposible to get any quality out of an oem sound card. I have tried and had no luck. I'm set up now but I messed with a stock computer trying some stuff and was dissapointed.

Good luck.


PS I do not know of your board but I have never seen a -10 board. I could very well be wrong though. Blue bear is right on the distortion factor. If you have too much gain for the amp distortion is certain. If you increase the gain slowly and it starts to distort and your output meters are very low you have a +4 board. If you can peg your output meters with no distortion -10.
I would perform that test. I very much doubt in that moment it would take to listen that you could do any harm.


correct me if I'm wrong Blue Bear.
 
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