overloading an audio input for too long, does it damage it?

[cordura21]

hi guys. I realized I was connecting the output of my Mac to a Digi 001 input set to almost Instument gain, not Line gain. Icorrected this the other day, but not beofre a long time passed doing it.

My question is: can the input of the Digi 001 be damaged ?

Cheers, Andrés

 

[jdavis]

I don't think you should have a problem. I've got the Digi001 as well, and when you overload an input like that, it's simply causing the waveform to be chopped off on the peaks, thus causing the distortion you hear. It sounds like hell, but you shouldn't have a problem with damaging the input.

Someone back me up on this, i'm pretty sure this is right!

***Justin***

 

[Evildick]

I agree with J

It's just gonna overload the input and sound like poop. Then it's gonna end up getting clipped to hell when you try to record from it. I believe, the clipping is the overload circuitry kicking in saying "hey you butthole, that signal is too damn hot!".

You should be alright though. Only time will tell though.

Dick

 

[happy hour]

If you keep overloading the input for too long you will probably eventually fry a transistor on the input stage or sumthing... but you will know because it will just stop working. It doesn't usually have gradually.