guitar into line inputs

[rhythm]

Hi, my current audio interface is an audiofire2, which has two line inputs, but no 'instrument inputs' or mic pres. For running my guitar into the interface, will a DI box alone do the trick, or will I also need something that provides some gain as well, being that the audiofire has no preamps on board?


Thanks,
Greg

 

[ecc83]

Hi, my current audio interface is an audiofire2, which has two line inputs, but no 'instrument inputs' or mic pres. For running my guitar into the interface, will a DI box alone do the trick, or will I also need something that provides some gain as well, being that the audiofire has no preamps on board?


Thanks,
Greg

That interface has a -10dBV input option and thus you will not need any additional gain* . The input impedance is however too low and will make the guitar sound less good than it should. Most guitar pedals have an impedance shifting function (very high to low) unless they are of the daft, so called "true" bypass ilk. All Boss pedals have an active bypass (and see my details). The Boss GE-7 EQ pedal is good for this purpose.

*You should run 24bits at 44.1kHz and record at an average level of -18dBFS. Even if the system does not quite give enough gain, recording as low as -25dBFS will do no harm.

I seem to have read some good things about that Echo AI so you might also consider a modest mixer? If you were to splash for the mixer I have, an Allen and Heath ZED10, it has high Z inputs already so you would not need the pedal.

Dave.