Mic pre & comp question ?

[cjacek]

I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding on gear setup, probably due to being confused. Specifically, I used to record with a mixer where I "inserted" the compressor. In essence I got to comp the mixer's preamps going into the recorder. Currently I record by going straight from my EV 635a dynamic to reel to reel recorder. I have a compressor as I always liked to comp signals a bit going in. I know I need a mic preamp before the comp. The BIG issue here is that I thought I needed a mic pre with an "insert" 'cause I was used to that already but then someone suggested that all I require is a pre which goes "out" to my comp and then recorder. The recommendation there was that I don't need an "insert". Ok, that's fine but I am worried about distorting the preamp. Sure, it'll pass the signal to the comp and onto the recorder but I'm worried about distorting the pre. See, whenever I use my mixer's "insert", I never had to worry about that as I was comping the pre first. Can someone offer any suggestions ? Thanks!

Daniel

 

[formerlyfzfile]

You could do it either way.

But.... in the instance of the FMR stuff, the RNP (pre) is balanced in and out whereas the RNC in unbalanced.
By inserting the RNC into the RNP you maintain the balanced signal out of the pre.

I am sure there could be other reasons too.

But I always ran my Art Tube MP (no insert) into my Composer into the recorder and it worked fine.

-mike

 

[StevenLindsey]

The BIG issue here is that I thought I needed a mic pre with an "insert".....

No, you don't need a pre with an insert. They're cool, but you don't have to have one. Mic >> pre input >>pre out to comp in >> comp out to recorder. Use balanced cables ( TRS or XLR ) if your pre's and comp's ins/outs and recorder ins are balanced. Good to go.