Simple preamp question

  • Thread starter Thread starter kidkage
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kidkage

kidkage

Bored of Canada
I was wondering how exactly I should set up a preamp. It's a ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp. I use it for vox, a DI for electric bass, as well as for the mic on the guitar cab, and I've never thought about asking until now, but how should I set up the levels and stuff? Should the input be set louder than the output? Etc.
Or does it not matter?
Hopefully you guys know what I'm trying to ask :p

n00b question. I know.
 
kidkage said:
but how should I set up the levels and stuff? Should the input be set louder than the output?
Click to expand...

As MM said, yeah... It matters :)

Find where "unity gain" is on the output of your unit, and then gain until the level is right.
 
Sorry if I'm frustrating

Thanks for the help.:)
I read the link a few times to get as much out of it as I can.
My focus isn't the loudness, it's the tone, and from reading the article I'm now positive that's a good thing. I also checked into unity gain.:(:confused: But I'm still having a little difficulty understanding how I can fix it to where the level on the tascam track will only change the volume and not my tone. Basically I know what I need to do, I just don't know how to do it.

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/qu...p_studio-472c1d2c88ef48e332978cbf1f5285c6.jpg
My preamp ^
The input I leave set to the first line on the left (3 o clock, if you will)
The output I leave set to 12 o clock
And when I do vox I press the +20dB Gain button
Are there "rule of thumb" settings I should have those on? Does it vary all the time??
:confused:
I set the master level on the unit to 3 o clock and set the track volume level to 3oclock and listen through headphones...and that volume is set on 10(the max) could that affect how I set things up?
Also, how should I adjust the trim knob on the DP008. Does it affect the tone and screw up what the preamp does?

I only started a few months ago, so I'm still trying to figure things out.
Sorry if I'm frustrating I just know I can have a better sound quality. :(
 
You're not frustrating at all. To be honest with you, on my two preamps I just twiddle about with all the various knobs until I dislike the sound - then I cut back from there until I'm happy with what I hear. It's a lame answer, I know, but experiment.
 
True. I should do some more experimenting. Ill definitely find unity gain and add from there as soon as I figure out how to find unity gain on this thing :p
Ill also start at a bad sound and work my way back.
 
kidkage said:
true. I should do some more experimenting. Ill definitely find unity gain and add from there as soon as i figure out how to find unity gain on this thing :p
ill also start at a bad sound and work my way back.
Click to expand...

RTFM? :D 10 characters
 
Shit. I just remembered the manual to the preamp and my computer are the only manuals I kept :eek:
In that case
I need to go RTFM
Im off
:cool:
 
Start off with output at full blown, input at minimum, move input up until you get a healthy signal going into to your A/D conversion. See how that sounds, then start playing with the output, and compensating with the input and see where you go...
 
Im reading the manual currently. This thing has a "OPL (PEAK LIMITER) SWITCH"
I figure that might help with something. Ill do some experimenting tomorrow?

P.S- I dont know why I put the question mark either.
 
kidkage said:
Im reading the manual currently. This thing has a "OPL (PEAK LIMITER) SWITCH"
I figure that might help with something. Ill do some experimenting tomorrow?

P.S- I dont know why I put the question mark either.
Click to expand...

That suggests limiting to me. It won't really help with your gain-staging problem, in fact, it'll probably make it worse. But, other than that, it could be a handy thing.
 
If you ever even approach the point where you'd need that circuit engaged, you're way, Way, WAAAAAAAAYYYY too hot.
 
Btw Im only having problems with it capturing the guitar tone. Everything else it works solid for.
 
kidkage said:
Ah, I see.
Phase reverse switch won't do anything either?
Click to expand...

Nope.

You just need to find out where unity gain for your O/P level is, and then gain in on the pre-amp while watching the levels in your DAW to get a good signal in.

Phase reverse is something completely different, which is another days thread
 
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