Mbox & external pre..connections

[tokyofan]

I know there was an earlier thread to this but wanted some further clarification.

I want to connect a Grace Design 101 to my Mbox 1 (XLR/TRS). I've read that if I go through 'line in' it'll still be engaging the mBox's pre. But if I go through the 'inserts' it will BYPASS the pre (but will be unbalanced). If I do that do I need to modify the cable? It's not very long (1 ft).

The Grace's manual says that "if either of the outputs are to be used unbalanced, a modified cable is required and pin 3 (or the Ring) should be left open." Can anyone elaborate on this? And can I modify the cable myself?

 

[wx3]

Just put it in the line in in and leave the trim all the way down, volia no pre.

 

[bennychico11]

I know there was an earlier thread to this but wanted some further clarification.

I want to connect a Grace Design 101 to my Mbox 1 (XLR/TRS). I've read that if I go through 'line in' it'll still be engaging the mBox's pre. But if I go through the 'inserts' it will BYPASS the pre (but will be unbalanced). If I do that do I need to modify the cable? It's not very long (1 ft).

The Grace's manual says that "if either of the outputs are to be used unbalanced, a modified cable is required and pin 3 (or the Ring) should be left open." Can anyone elaborate on this? And can I modify the cable myself?

interesting idea, although I'm not 100% sure it will actually work. I'd have to look at the schematics of the Mbox, but the inserts are on the monitoring side of PT. Typically AFTER you go in mic 1, it records to disk and then passes through the mix bus...inserts and all. One of the reasons you'll notice that moving your track fader doesn't control the actual recording volume.
Although, now that I think about it you might be able to bus the output of the insert return track to another valid audio track and record it there instead. Hmmmmmm.

What the Grace manual is saying is clip off the lead that ties to pin 3 of the XLR (lo). I'd personally tie it to ground though (pin 1) of the other end of the cable (1/4" sleeve).
If you find your technique DOES work though, you'll probably want to send the XLR to a 1/4" TRS though. Insert cables are TRS. Tip is generaly insert send, and ring is insert return on the TRS cable. So, if I'm thinking correctly, I believe you would go:
Pin 1-->Sleeve
Pin 2-->Ring
Pin 3-->Sleeve

An insert's signal is typically unbalanced anyway.