Different mic and different inputs

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antkn33

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Ok, prepare for a potentially very silly question....
I have a Line 6 UX2 interface that has two XLR inputs with phantom power and 4 1/4" inputs.
I was just using this for my guitar but now I want to attempt to record drums with it in to Logic Pro X.
I have more mics than XLR inputs. So if I get an XLR cable than has a 1/4" end can I use that in one of the 1/4" inputs and record with it?
The reason I ask is because the manual makes no mention of doing it this way. The manual makes it seem the 1/4" inputs are just for guitars and such. I don't want to potentially damage the mic.
Second question... I can only turn on phantom power for both XLR inputs, not independently. I have one mic that require phantom power. Will the phantom power damage a mic that does not require it?
Thanks!
 
Don't get an XLR to 1/4" jack lead, get one of these..
Search Microphone Transformer XLR to 6.35mm Mono Plug | Maplin

The traff will also give you a few dB of lift but you will still only get decent levels from kick and snare and even those only if you are close.

Phantom power will not damage any properly made, properly connected microphone (why they do it that way FFS!) No! not even a modern ribbon. IF perchance you have a $5000, 50yrd old ribbon I wouldn't risk it!

Dave.
 
Behringer's UB1002 is only $60 and will add two more mike inputs (pan left and right and run the mains to your 1/4s).
 
Just to back up a second and explain why people are suggesting putting other things into the circuit...

There are 3 basic different standard "levels" used in audio.

"Line Level" (the two quarter inch connectors on the back of your unit) is defined by a specific voltage as the "zero" point. It's designed to be the level used by powered electronic gear (and is also the level that tends to be used inside mixers and such.

"Microphone Level" (the XLRs) is, as the name implies, the level that comes out of microphones. There's no defined level and mics can vary quite a bit terms of their output. However, mics tend to have an output between 40 and 60dB lower than line level. This is why mic inputs are routed through some form of pre amp to bring the level up to line level for onward processing.

"Instrument Level" (the quarter inch jacks on the front of your unit) is, as the name implies, the level that comes out of things like guitars. Again, there's no specific standard level but it tends to be some place in the middle between mic and line. Less important but significant none the less, is the fact that instrument inputs tend to be high impedance while mic and line are lower.

So, if you plug a microphone with an adaptor into the line inputs, the levels will be super low (around 50dB too quiet) if there at all. Any inexpensive pre amp will bring up the mic level to something that can go into a line level socket and match everything nicely.

As ecc83 says, some form of transformer will fix the impedance issue to plug a mic into an instrument input--but levels will still be low. As mentioned you might be able to get away with this if you have a mic that can handle high input levels up close to something very loud on your drum kit. It's not an ideal way of working though. Before buying two transformers and two channels of pre amp, it might be worth checking how much you'd have to spend for something like the Tascam US 1800 which would give you the channels you need without any adaptors.

Finally, as others have said, any modern gear with balanced connections will be fine with phantom power even if it isn't needed.
 
Noted in another post that the 1800 is running $199 with a $50 rebate right now. Gives you 8 mike preamps and lots of other input options. Plus 4 outs and other niceties...
 
The transformers I linked to are pretty cheap, about the cost of a 10mtr MOR, XLR cable and are nominally (very!) "600 Ohms to 50k" which gives a step up ration of 1:9 or very nearly 20dB .
They make Shure '57 usable into the unbal' mic inputs on my Teac A3440 (but of course input noise is not such a problem with hissy tape!).

The mixer is a good idea but now you WILL be coming out at line level and so watch input overload. The instrument inputs on many AIs are not noted for a lot of headroom! Even on a Bellringer mixer you will not want much more than the -20dB LED lit.

Dave.
 
Dave, just FYI, the interface in question has two mic, two instrument and two line inputs, each on a separate input. Therefore, to get six mic inputs he'd have to use a mix if your suggestion and BroKen_H's and it still wouldn't be ideal.
 
That's why I switched horses to the US-1800. For $130 after rebate, you can hardly go wrong. Plus, you'll have two extra inputs...
 
So the us1800 will output individual channels to a daw over USB correct? Thanks.
 
Correct.

Just to be clear, the reason there are so many deals out there just now is that the US 1800 is being replaced by a newer model--but the original is a real workhorse and you'll find quite a few HR members have them if you ever need advice.

If it was my money, I'd go for the Tascam rather than trying to bodge 4 more mics into an interface not designed for more than two mic channels.
 
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