Patch Bays and Preamps?

  • Thread starter Thread starter amit_work
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amit_work

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I am using a stereo Tube Pre-amp inbetween my mic and my board, to warm up my vocals. But, many times I like to run my sound module through it to warm up some of the drum sounds, etc. Instead of plugging and unplugging my mic and sound modules, I figure I could use a Patch Bay. Is this a typical configuration? This way at any given time I can use either the mic or sound module, or guitar, etc. and run it through the pre-amp. Are the jacks on the Patch Bay rated for this kind of signal?
 
First, the proper way to use an external preamp is to NOT run the output of it to a mixer. Usually, the output of the preamp would go directly to the input of the recording device. By running it to the mixing board, you are actually running through TWO preamps. This has the potential of adding a lot more noise, especailly since the external preamp output is Line Level, and mixing consoles input want's to see Mic or Instrument Level.

You can use a patchbay in the manner that you described.

WARNING!!!

If you do this, be advised that you can damage the preamp while plugging the microphone into the patchbay IF you have phantom power on from the preamp. MAKE SURE to turn off phatom power before making the connection, then turn it back on if needed after the connection has been made.

Don't ask me how I know this.....:(

Ed
 
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