Pre-amp connect to Mic 1 or Input 1?

[iboersma]

OK -

Now that I've got my pre-amp I have another great newbie question:

Should I be hooking up the output of my mic pre-amp to my Mic 1 input (XLR) or the Input 1 (1/4" jack) on my PreSonus Firebox interface? Since I got so little boost from my Firebox's on-board pre-amps last time, I was planning on just plugging my pre-amp into the Mic 1 XLR port, but I don't know if that's the best way to do it or not.

I assume that if I keep the boost at reasonable levels coming from the mic pre-amp, then I should be OK plugging into the Mic 1 port, no? Or is this just newbie nonsense?

Suggestions?

- Ian

 

[GABritton]

I would plug it into the 1/4" input. This way you will by-pass the pre-amp in the PreSonus. It's not going to hurt anything to plug it into the XLR side, you'll just have a hotter signal because it's running through that pre-amp as well as your Firebox. The only other advantage to the XLR input is signal quality, but I doubt you're doing long cable runs of unbalanced cable.

 

[iboersma]

I would plug it into the 1/4" input. This way you will by-pass the pre-amp in the PreSonus. It's not going to hurt anything to plug it into the XLR side, you'll just have a hotter signal because it's running through that pre-amp as well as your Firebox. The only other advantage to the XLR input is signal quality, but I doubt you're doing long cable runs of unbalanced cable.

Sounds good. I may try both ways just to see what returns the best signal.

Thanks for your help!

- Ian