Question about using mic preamps

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Orpheus

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hi.

i have what i think is kinda a dumb question.... but i've been wondering for a while:

when you use an outboard mic preamp, do you turn the trim controls on the mixer all the way down?--or is there a position you're supposed to put it at?

in other words, what trim position would give the optimum performance?

thanks.
 
If you're using an outboard pre, you don't use the mixer at all - you connect the mic or the direct source right to the preamp!
 
anyone want to tackle this one?
I just dont have the time.

PS,

I'm wondering Bear if he means from the mic to the preamp to the mixer inputs.

No need to induce any more noise if you don't have to.

At that point, where to position the trim knobs.

I say, if thats the case, bypass the mixer PERIOD.

Mic to preamp straight to the audio card (and that's if he's using an audio card) or what ever recordable medium.

;)
 
Every position should be as high as possible without causing distortion.

Yes, I know that wasn't a helpful answer, but sorry, it's the truth.

Normally, you set the preamp so it output 0 db, and then you trim the inputs to have 0db of amplification.
 
Unless you have some compelling reason to do so, you should not be going through an external pre AND a mixer. The most direct path to tape (or disk, or whatever) is the path to audio enlightenment. :cool: RD
 
what about...

...going from a pre into a work station, like a DPS 12? what would be the best setting in that case?
 
jaeden - if you have an insert, you go in their using a TRS plug to the first notch, if you don't, then you turn trim all the way down, presuming that your preamp gives you enough gain
 
I have to do that in order to use condenser mics with a Tascam 688, which doesn't supply phantom power. Until I learn otherwise I keep the levels down low on the Tascam channels. It's useable, and may even be the correct way, but it sure would be nice to know exactly how to use a standalone pre amp with a mixer (i.e., bypass the mixer's preamps).
 
my Akai has no phantom power. so maybe i should turn the trim down low and use the level and the gain on the pre to get the best results?
 
If you're using an outboard pre, you don't use the mixer at all - you connect the mic or the direct source right to the preamp!
Click to expand...
hey man, i ain't THAT stupid! heh he.......... i meant i plug the mic to the preamp then to the mixer.

i have a Mackie 32x8 with a complete patchbay. the busses go to a Motu 896. the pre MUST go to the mixer. i'd rather sacrifice that last tiny bit of performance for signal routing flexibility. besides routing, the mixer also is used for monitoring. wiring the pres straight defeats the purpose of having a mixer.

so, you all use the preamp straight to the recording gear? cause, for those that use a mixer................................. What do you do with the trim pot???

thanks.
 
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the Motu has trim knobs on the face anyway..... so the question still applies even if i wire the pre straight.

blue bear, you use a mackie right?--how do you have the outboard pres wired in your studio?
 
trim pots on the mixer,or work station, all the way down......use the pre for gain, the rest of this stuff gets pretty unit specific. I use a Korg and go in the input trs-flat. I use my pre amps to get usable signal
In His Name
Big Kenny
 
Orpheus said:
blue bear, you use a mackie right?--how do you have the outboard pres wired in your studio?
Click to expand...
Everything's wired to patchbays configured in a more-or-less standard multitrack config...

PB1 - top: "hardwired" sources
PB1 - bot: Mixer channel inputs

PB2 - top: channel INSERT sends
PB2 - bot: channel INSERT returns

PB3 - top: mixer buss outputs
PB3 - bot: multitrack recorder inputs

PB4 - top: multitrack recorder outputs
PB4 - bot: mixer "MIX B" inputs

PB5 - top: mixer direct outs
PB5 - bot: denormalled - misc

PB6-12 - varies - outboard gear, effects, etc.....

All gear goes thru the bays and therefore it's a no-brainer to use the shortest signal path to route gear only as needed.
 
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so you still bypass the mixer when you use an outboard pre? you don't even send a split to the mixer for monitoring?
 
You can monitor right from the multitrack, there's absolutely no need to split the preamp out - as a matter of fact, splitting causes a small degradation....

Minimal signal path is always an excellent strategy to adopt......!
 
I don't own a Motu yet but after reading about them, I am wondering why you just can't use Cuemix to make a monitor mix while recording and tap it right out of the 896 outputs? Then all monitoring and mixing happens after the fact. No? The description on their website makes it sound like it works that way.
 
yes, you can..... in fact... i suppose that's what most people here are doing by the response.

but i just think that the mixer should be the whole "brain" of the system. i mean, there's no need to buy a mixer if you don't need it for routing/monitoring. after all, if i really wanted to, everything can go straight to the computer without the mixer. which, of course, is one way people use the computer. i just prefer to have everything laid out in front of me where i can touch and see things directly.

how do big time studios do it?--do the route the preamps directly to the tapes/computers?--or do the preamps still go through the mixer?
 
Jeeeezus. :D Throw the guy a bone already.


Just go 1/4" from the LINE OUT of your mic pre to the 1/4" input on one of the channels of your mixer. Keep all gain on that channel at unity -- use only the faders for monitor volume control. End of story.
 
thanks....

but by unity, where do you exactly mean on the trim knob? cause on the mackie it says seinsitivity: +4 to -40dbv, and mic gain: 10db to 50db.

i assume you mean the trim turned all the way down right (+4dbv, 10db)?

thanks for all the responses by the way... learned a bit.
 
Wherever unity is. :D I realize those Mackie manuals are a tough read and all . . . :D
 
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