Questions on different kinds of input.

[jerberson12]

Hi,

Ok now, im talking about inputs on audio interfaces. I'm looking forward to buy a good one. Audio interface that comes with Mic input and mic preamp, is obviously for microphone and doesnt need another standalone mic preamp. (Question #1: Right????)
Instrument Input usually is for keyboards (Question #2: Right??? Question #3: DO I Need a DI Box for that?)
Line Input (Question #4 What do you usually connect on a line input and do you usually use a di box before that?)

 

[fuzzrhythm]

The difference is impedance matching and pre-amps.

Answer 1: You plug a mic into the pre-amp. You can plug that into another pre-amp if you really want to, but it's generally not advisable and can damage your equipment.

Answer 2: Instrument input is usually for directly plugging in a guitar, bass, or sometimes keyboards that don't have a line out.

Answer 3: DI boxes should be plugged into a mic pre-amp.

Answer 4: Line inputs are for line outputs (most keyboards, outboard equipment and pre-amps)

You would use a DI box if you didn't have an instrument input (also called Hi-Z for high impedance) and wanted to plug a bass/guitar into your interface.

 

[jerberson12]

How would i know what kind of output does my keyboard have? It says only "output L and R". Is that a line out?

 

[blazingstrings]

Yes that should be your line outputs. If its a cheaper keyboard(with speakers) and its a single jack that says output L R then you would need a splitter(trs to two ts cables, stereo to two mono if you will). Still good to use a DI box.