Patch amp into 424mkii???

[Mr. C]

This might be a stupid question, but it seems somewhat logical, at least to me. Could I use the ext. spkr jack on my amp to patch into my 424 mkii, or would that be more than the 424 could handle? Or is there some other reason this would not work?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

DON'T DO IT !

Unless you want to fry your Portastudio?

Line level input is called "line Level" for a reason. The reason is line levels are a fraction of a volt, usually .316 volts on TASCAM gear. A speaker output on a guitar amp will be several hundred times that amount with a bit of volume on the amp.

Because they don't put fuses on the input stage of your unit or any other unit for that matter, you'll end up burning circuitry real quick.

Get a properly designed Direct Box or DI for short and that will tap off a fraction of the amp's juice and then feed it to your balanced microphone input.

Cheers!

 

[Mr. C]

I knew there was a reason I should ask that question. I have seen DI's advertised but never knew what they are for. So are you saying that I can hook the amp up to the DI, then to the 424? Or am I completely misunderstanding what you are saying?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

So are you saying that I can hook the amp up to the DI, then to the 424? Or am I completely misunderstanding what you are saying?

That's what I'm saying, yes.

Cheers!

 

[Mr. C]

Thanks for the help. One other question, is there any particular DI you recommend, or are they all about the same? (One factor $, I would be looking at inexpensive, but not cheap.)

 

[The Ghost of FM]

I use a couple of different ones, myself. Neither of them were "expensive".

I use a Behringer D100 that I am very happy with for electric guitar. It does have a speaker cabinet input on it but several cautions must be exercised when using it and I haven't tried out the feature yet myself.

If you can put up with some noise, the best method remains an old tried and true one and that is to simply mic your guitar cabinet speaker with a Shure SM57 mic.

There are also a host of amp simulators out there called Pods and such that will take your direct guitar signal and simulate an output to your Portastudio's mixer that make your guitar sound like you are using a variety of different guitars, heads and speaker cabinets but, these cost more then a decent DI box so try before you buy. Perhaps rent one or two from your neighborhood music retailer if they offer such a service and see what sounds best to you.

Cheers!