Ok....External Pres...

[XTREEMMAK]

Ok,
I'm still a little bit confused in regards to external mic pres. How exactly are the pres bypassed on "x" interface? From what I gather, there are multiple ways of doing this. I need someone to verify these to make sure they are right and if I'm missing something cause I still dont fully understand:

1. If "x" device has a channel insert, and your external pre can send/return a signal, then you can go via Mic -> Mic Pre In -> Send (TRS = Tip) -> Return on "x" device to bypass pre on "x".

2. If "x" device does not have a channel insert, then you can go via Mic -> Mic Pre In -> Line Out (Pre) -> Line In (Device "x") to bypass pre.

Number 2 I dont understand. Essentially, wouldn't you still be using the device "x" pre? Why or why not?

 

[pohaku]

Ok,
I'm still a little bit confused in regards to external mic pres. How exactly are the pres bypassed on "x" interface? From what I gather, there are multiple ways of doing this. I need someone to verify these to make sure they are right and if I'm missing something cause I still dont fully understand:

1. If "x" device has a channel insert, and your external pre can send/return a signal, then you can go via Mic -> Mic Pre In -> Send (TRS = Tip) -> Return on "x" device to bypass pre on "x".

2. If "x" device does not have a channel insert, then you can go via Mic -> Mic Pre In -> Line Out (Pre) -> Line In (Device "x") to bypass pre.

Number 2 I dont understand. Essentially, wouldn't you still be using the device "x" pre? Why or why not?

Depends on the specific device. In some, going line in bypasses the device pre. In others (usually cheaper units) it doesn't. You need to read the specs very carefully if you are planning to use outboard pres through the line ins on an interface.

 

[mshilarious]

It's not a simple answer because circuits aren't that simple. Every A/D converter has to have an analog stage in front of it, and very very few if any converters are going to leave that to an external box. So you will nearly always have at least one amplifier stage before a converter, even if you're using an external converter.

With an line input, you may however bypass one or several amplifier stages in the preamp section of the interface. So you may avoid the accumulation of signal degradation that occurs there. Also, if your external preamp has lower noise, you can avoid the interface's higher noise. Just make sure to get all the gain in the external preamp that you can without overloading the interface's inputs.