How do I use an external pre-amp?

[Guitarzoid]

I just got a used AW16g and would like to use a nice pre-amp with it for vocals. How do I plug things in so that the pre-amp on the recorder is not being used?

Thanks

 

[arcadeko]

use one of the line inputs and not the XLR inputs -

 

[Guitarzoid]

You just answered a question that has been bugging me for a long time. Thanks.
Does that mean that the line inputs do not have built-in pre-amps.

Thanks again

 

[arcadeko]

Every mixer I have ever seen only has pre-amps on the inputs with XLR connections - I can not imagine any device that would put them on a 1/4" input line jack

- but just to be safe you should check the documentation here is the manual http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/recorders/AW16GE.pdf

if there is no gain/trim knob on the input that is a pretty good indication there is no preamp

 

[sjjohnston]

I don't know anything about the AW16g, but there are a number of devices (mixers, all-in-ones) that run the 1/4" "line" inputs through the mic preamps: the difference between the two is only that the line inputs are padded down a bit before being amplified.

 

[Guitarzoid]

I read the manual and it says to put any preamped instrument through either the xlr or the 1/4" inputs. At this point I'm assuming that the recorder/mixer preamp work along with the external preamp. I don't think the mixer knows if your using an external preamp.

One other thing I don't quite understand is why they want you to put a guitar with passive pickups into the only unbalanced input (1/4") . That makes me believe that that channel has a preamp. And it may be the only one that has one.

 

[mattjew24]

There are different levels of signal you need to know about.

Instrument Level - Comes from a guitar. Unbalanced signal.

Line Level - Comes from the back of outboard gear and such

Mic Level - Comes from a microphone and needs to be amplified by a Preamp

Speaker Level - Speaks for itself

So, only one input on your device may be configured to accept Instrument Level sources. This is normal for just 1 or 2 to accept Instrument level.

You need a Line Level TRS 1/4" input on your recording interface. Either that or an XLR Mic input. Sometimes 1/4" is better because it MAY bypass the cheap preamplifier.

 

[sjjohnston]

I didn't look at the whole manual in the link provided above, but skipped to the block diagram.

It looks, anyway, like the inputs are all "mic / line," i.e. they all run through mic preamps. You make one into a "line" input simply by turning the preamp gain down.

I'm not seeing any obvious way to bypass the preamps with an input. On some pieces of equipment, you could use an insert (with some slightly odd cabling), but the point marked "insert" on the block diagram doesn't look like it's a jack, but just an internal routing option. I suppose if you've also got an outboard AD converter, you could bring your outboard preamp signal in as a digital input, but that's a significant "if."

 

[arcadeko]

You make one into a "line" input simply by turning the preamp gain down.

This should eliminate any coloring the preamp is adding that you don't like - with the gain all the way down it should be pretty close to dry with the onboard preamp not really effecting your sound. AFAIK