soundcard just broke after 8 years....

[antispatula]

I am a total noob when it comes to audio/digital interfaces, since I haven't bought one in forever. My 1 question: If I get a USB recording interface that has onboard preamps like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop


but I want to use my own preamp, is there anyway to bypass the stock pres on the interface? Or would I just have to turn down the preamps on the lexicon interface? I only need something that will allow me to interface between my preamp and the computer....seems like the cheapest options come with crappy little preamps.....

 

[bouldersoundguy]

There are line inputs on that interface. You should be able to plug your mic pres into those.

 

[ecc83]

No, don't get the Lexicon. The M-Audio M track plus has inserts. These allow a pre amp to feed into the converters after the internal pre amps.

There are of course even better interfaces but few these days have inserts. You would have to go close to £200 for the NI KA6 which has two balanced line inputs as well as two very decent mic pres.

There is nothing theoretically WRONG with going thru a line input that is just an attenuated mic pre amp but it seems daft to put a £100 + pre thru a £1.00 chip and some resistors! And, the more expensive the pre amp, the dafter it be!

Dave.