Need a solution! Help me out guys!!

[cjacek]

Hi,

Ok, here's my dilema. My mixer recently crapped out on me but I need to record to my TASCAM 34B (reel to reel ) using a compressor. Fortunately, the 34B has 1/4" mic inputs (along with rca's) as well and so I can just plug in a mic and do my piano + vocal performace. Yes, I just use one dynamic EV 635a mic (omni). Ok, it's not really about that so let me get to what's on my mind .. See, I have a DBX 118 compressor and the way it is constructed I can ONLY "insert" it to a mixer or anywhere there's an "insert" point etc .. I need to go mic ----- preamp ----- compressor ------ reel to reel. Problem is there's no mixer (yet). I need to find a preamp that will enable me to plug in my mic (via xlr) and also "insert" my 118 comp into it. From then on I need a line out or mic out to go into the 34B from the preamp. I then will be able to use the compressor. Obviously I can't use a lesser quality preamp than my onboard great 34B ones. Any suggestions ? I'm willing to find something vintage, used on eBay or even new. Obviously price is an issue but I don't want to compromise quality. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Daniel

 

[Track Rat]

You don't have to patch it through an insert only. You can take the line output of a preamp and run it in series through a compressor on its way to the tape recorder. Are you sure the 1/4" inputs on the tape recorder are MIC preamps and not just line level inputs?

 

[cjacek]

You don't have to patch it through an insert only. You can take the line output of a preamp and run it in series through a compressor on its way to the tape recorder. Are you sure the 1/4" inputs on the tape recorder are MIC preamps and not just line level inputs?

I've enclosed a pict of the back of my reel to reel (34B) and also of the back of the compressor. (The comp doesn't have the usual inputs/outputs you normally see, but it's pretty much a dbx 160VU but at fraction of the price). Thanks ..... Daniel

 

[cjacek]

dbx 118 comp (back) ..