External mic pre -> signal chain for Q10

[jdier]

I am on the verge of purchasing a mic pre. I run everything through an Aardvark Q10 (which has it's own pre's)

Can anyone describe the signal chain for connecting an external mic pre to the Q10?

Is it as simple as:

mic > XLR cable > pre > 1/4 cable > rear 1/4 insert on back of Q10.

Anyone do it now?

 

[alfalfa]

I dont own a Q10 but your signal path looks right. You will have to use an unbalanced 1/4 cable from the mic pre to the insert on the q10. The only thing to be wary of is how the insert wiring is set up ie is the input to the insert on the tip or sleeve? If it is on the tip you are fine as you can push the plug in all the way. If it is on the sleeve then you probably can get away with having the plug partially inserted (after one 'click'). Or you will have to buy a standard insert 'Y" cable.

Hopefully a q10 user can confirm how it works (and correct me if I've got it all back to front).

 

[Ptron]

"Is it as simple as: mic > XLR cable > pre > 1/4 cable > rear 1/4 insert on back of Q10."

Well I haven't even hooked up my Q10 yet, so I'm not answering with 100% certainty but, no. It's simpler. (Is simpler a word?) Use the 1/4" part of one of the combo jacks on the front. They are line inputs and should bypass the pre's. At least that's what I assume.

The inserts are stereo or 3 conductor jacks you use with a Y cable to hook up an outboard piece of gear like a compressor so it comes after the preamp in the signal chain.

Ptron

 

[alfalfa]

Are you sure the front input bypasses the pre? I was sure it is an instrument input with gain ie it goes through the pre.

It would be useful to know how to use the insert as an input without having to use a Y cable if possible. I am curious too.

 

[Ptron]

I checked the manual to be sure. The 1/4 inch inputs are for line level signals. They can be balanced or unbalanced. They do not go through the same pre's the XLR inputs do. Inputs 7 & 8 have a button you can push to make them direct guitar/bass/whatever inputs. I don't know if this just sends them through the same pre's as the XLR inputs or if they are their own thing. There is probably a zero gain buffer stage between the 1/4" ins and the inserts, but that's not something you'd really need to bypass for any reason I can think of.

Also, if the inserts are like most, inserting a mono cable partway makes them an output, not an input.

Ptron

 

[alfalfa]

Does that mean if you plug a synth (or whatever) into the line in, the gain controls in the mixer have no effect on the level of the signal?

Have you tried plugging a source using unbalanced cable into the insert? I was also assuming that plugging it in all the way would be right (ie halfway was for the output), but I wanted a q10 owner to try it to be sure.

Thanks for investigating. I can read manuals and stuff on the net but it really needs someone like you who owns the q10 to plug stuff in and play with it to answer these questions.

 

[jdier]

You always plug everything all the way in. Balance and unbalanced both work in these inputs.

I am unfamilar with mic pres so I still do not know the correct method for connecting.

 

[Ptron]

"You always plug everything all the way in. Balance and unbalanced both work in these inputs."

This is true for the 1/4" inputs on the front, NOT true with the inserts on the back.

Ptron

 

[MAC2]

jdier: I also have a Q10.....I just use the following signal path :
Mic > Mic Pre > Q10 input (regardless of whether your using a 1/4" or XLR cable ......one of the good things about the Q10's inputs is that they'll accept either ) Per the Q10's manual the inserts are between the unit's mic pre and the A/D converter thus processing the signal before it gets to your computer. The insert route would allow you to utilize the Q10's mic pres and then process the signal further (effects, EQ, compression, etc.) before it gets converted to digital signal and recorded by your computer. Hope this helps...