Mixing Board channel DIRECT (unbalanced ) out to interface Mic input.

[gjohnsonintn]

Hello all... I have a question regarding hooking up a few components.

First off... equip

Behringer 2442 fx XENYA preamps (NON USB)

tascam us1641

Behringer tube pre amp

behringer Dual Channel compressor/ limiter.

behringer 4 channel head phone amp

behringer ultra patch pro 3000

Furman pb40 (half normal)


my question..

I plan on a signal path that goes from TWO mics to the dual channel tube preamp ,to the line in of the board . The rest of the mics will go directly into the board. I am wanting to take the DIRECT out (line level unbalanced out of each channel to the input of the 1641.. here is where i am wanting to go from a unbalanced out of the board to an xlr male to go into the interface . it has 8 XLR ins on the front with gain controls and 2 mic/line ins on the front with gain controls. there are 4 more line ins on the back (no gain control) ... IF .. i can control the gain on the XLR inputs on the 1641 I should be able to record from the direct out of the board. As well as using 3 of the available AUX sends or the (4) sub groups to the direct line ins of the 1641 .. . effectively giving me 11 to a possible 13 channels to be able to track at one time.

WILL THIS WORK????? unbalanced tip/ sleeve to XLR mic in on the interface?

PS I plan on running EVERYTHING through the patch bays that way I have the flexibility of changing input paths to the interface without unplugging anything. as well as having the signal split on the (HALF normal) bay that can be added into the headphone mix for a (MORE OF ME) capability...
I could also use the (INSERT) through the half normal bay to the interface if I wanted "PRE" ex and fader.

(SO MANY OPTIONS) which works best??????

The SNAFU is whether the XLR input of the interface will be an issue.. 8 XLR ONLY no combo plug..... ??????

 

[ecc83]

The direct out signal needs attenuating before feeding the XLRs. By how much depends upon the output level, the input overload point and the mic amp input Z.
If you can do the soldering I can look up specs and give you the numbers.

Done it anyway! You need to turn each D/O into an impedance balanced source with 6k8 in each leg and a shunt 3k3 across the XLR pins 2 and 3 but you need to build the Rs into the XLR plug or put it all into a box, XLR in and out and have it no more then a mtr or so from the 1641.
That gives you about 20dB att'n . Better would be a box of step down traffs but that would be costly for anything decent, we are looking $40 per traff?
Dave.

 

[wheelema]

If I understand you... iffy... you want to run a line level unbalanced out into an XLR port intended for a microphone.

I wouldn't. If you do let us know what happens.

 

[gjohnsonintn]

I know this sounds possibly stupid .. but would a DI box not do the same... line out of the board into the DI box and XLR out to the input of the interface?

 

[ashcat_lt]

The mic input gains will probably attenuate plenty! Just turn them way down, you probably don't need pads. I have that interface, but haven't yet tried line level into the mic pres. I do it pretty regularly in other situations, though, with no problems.

 

[gjohnsonintn]

that was my first thought..... start at ZERO and see if there is enough control on the gain control nobs. IF not then I am upgrading to a Presonus Audio Box that has mic / line level inputs. The unit I WISH was out when I bought THIS..

Thanks. for all the help....

 

[ecc83]

The mic input gains will probably attenuate plenty! Just turn them way down, you probably don't need pads. I have that interface, but haven't yet tried line level into the mic pres. I do it pretty regularly in other situations, though, with no problems.

Yes the mic inputs might cope but the direct outs will see too low a load. Most "prosumer" gear uses the TL0 chip family and they do not like loads much below 5k.
The input Z of the 1641 is just 2k2 so distortion is a real possibility.

DI box is theoretically perfect. Practically crap. Most have pretty gruesome wee traffs in them. Matters little for guitar, levels are far too low, 2 volts would be really hot but at +20dBV? Oooo! Nasty!.....Unless OP can spring for 8 Radials!

Dave.

 

[gjohnsonintn]

This seems to be the best solution..

Behringer ULTRA DI800 Has the pads and the conversion of the signal I believe will work..


PLEASE double check me here. but I would rather be safe than overload the inputs of the interface OR the load of the circuits on the board. PLEASE advise. AND THANKS again for all the advise and help... it is most appreciated...

SO FAR THIS SIDE OF THE DESK IS WAAAAAAAAAYY more complicated ! LOL......
I need to find my old engineers and buy them dinner!

 

[ecc83]

Yes that Behringer unit seems to tick all the right boxes. Shame I cannot find a signal flow diagram but from the manual it does look as if it will do the bizz.

Dave.