Mic/Line Signals and DI Boxes

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Perceval

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I have a Spirit FX 16 mixer and I have access to a 50' or 100' snake (16 XLR sends and 4 - TRS returns). If I want to use the snake to record line instruments (e.g., PODs, keyboards, electronic drums, etc.) then what do I need? Active and passive direct boxes, Lo Z adapters??? If a DI Box, what brand and model would you recommend?

Directions to a useful thread or your sage advice is most welcomed!!! Thanks
 
Most mixers allow you to plug in Line Level equipment on each channel. Some only allow Line Level on some of the channels. Almost all electronic instruments except guitar and bass put out line level.

The only time you need a DI is if you want to run a guitar through a mic preamp or you want to run a line level signal more than 20ft.
 
The distance is between 50 and 100 feet and I am going into a mixer that has mic pres on each channel.
 
Then Direct Boxes it is. Just plug in the instruments to the direct box and run an XLR from the box to the snake. Most DI's have 2 1/4" jacks so you can either sum a stereo signal or run one as another 1/4' output to connect to an amp in the tracking room.

There are a lot of brands out there and most are decent. ProCo and Horizon make some decent ones for around $30 a channel. Stay away from Rolls.

For best quality do your overdubs closer to the board so you don't need that long of a cable run.
 
active or passive? The mixer have mic pres built into it, so does that impact the selection?
 
Passive is fine. Active DI's may have a bit more color to them which can be good if that is what you want.
 
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