Suggestions For Going From Interface into Mixer (has a trouble in the past w/ it)

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Hi,

I recently fried my Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 when I plugged it's two outputs into two inputs (1/4" TRS > XLR) on my Fostex model 450 mixing board. What happened was I was trying to send some MIDI drum tracks from Logic, into my 8-track reel-to-reel (Fostex Model 80), and then record on the remaining 6 tracks, before dumping it all back into Logic to edit etc. When I plugged the outputs into the mixer and played the tracks to get a signal, I wasn't getting anything and while playing with some things to see why I couldn't hear anything I accidently turned up the mic trim and I guess I fried the outputs on the 2i2 because they never worked again after that. The people at Focusrite said that that can happen.

Anyways, I tell you all that so you know what I'm talking about with this here.

I replaced the 2i2 with a Saffire Pro 40. I've been digitizing tracks from my Fostex M80 with no issues and now I want to start running signal out of the Pro 40, and into my tape machine. I'm afraid of doing to this interface, what I did to my last one so I'm wondering of anyone can help me out with the safest way to do this. I was figuring I should buy a 8 channel TRS snake because they're balanced. Would this be the way to go?

It's most likely an easy answer, but I couldn't find anything concrete online so any suggestions would help ease my troubled mind and allow me to go about my weird work habits unfettered. Thanks!
 
Not really sure what it is that you are afraid of?

I mean...if you match the I/O levels (+4 or -10)...and then set your volume conservatively to start...you should be able to hook things up and not worry.

Not understanding you you fried the *outputs* by setting the trim on the mixer inputs...???
That makes no sense to me.
If it was the other way around...OK.

Anyway, if the connections are balance TRS or XLR...just go with those kind of cables.
It really isn't a big deal.

I run from my console and my tape deck to my converters all the the time...in both directions.
Everything is running balanced +4...and I can crank the crap out of the signal...and the worst is I will get audible distortion once I get the single too hot...bit long before I come close to frying anything.

I dunno...it just doesn't add up the thing with the Scarlet.
 
^^^^^ my sentiments exactly. How do you fry an output by raising the trim on an input? It only puts out as much as it has to give from the earlier signal chain.

Input on another device should have nothing to do with what's going on at an output.


If I were you, I'd study this issue. I suspect something else caused your Scarlett meltdown.
 
I know, it sounds like it wouldn't hurt it but it's a known problem. It never happened to me before that. After it happened I looked around and found a lot of threads dealing with the same thing that happened to me, people hooking up the 2i2 interface into a mixing board and were never able to get sound from it again. I thought that maybe the phantom power was on but I checked that before hand to make sure it was off. Here's the thread

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/925330-focusrite-scarlett-2i2-no-audio-problem.html


Must be a conspiracy.
Anyways, thanks for the reassurance.
 
I'm sure there is a problem, but I still think it has nothing to do with plugging the outputs in your mixer inputs.
From reading the GS thread it seems that for most, it just ceases working. Maybe it's just a junk interface.

I have a Saffire pro 40, and have had zero problems with it.

Good luck
 
Could have potentially been fried if phantom power was fed back to the 2i2 outputs. Those little opamps would not fancy seeing +48V at their outputs.

Otherwise, the only other variable is the load presented by the input impedance of the mixer. Any reasonable output should be protected down to short.

Fascinating. In any case, sounds like a complete abiration. Or something horribly malfunctioning. There's absolutely zero risk if both pieces of equipment are operating normally.
 
Bob Joneson said:
Could have potentially been fried if phantom power was fed back to the 2i2 outputs. Those little opamps would not fancy seeing +48V at their outputs.

Otherwise, the only other variable is the load presented by the input impedance of the mixer. Any reasonable output should be protected down to short.

Fascinating. In any case, sounds like a complete abiration. Or something horribly malfunctioning. There's absolutely zero risk if both pieces of equipment are operating normally.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong but i dont think those fostex mixers even had phantom power.

At any rate, any time I plug ANYTHING other than a mic needing phantom power, that 48 volts is turned OFF.
 
The Fostex 450 board that was made to work with Model 80 1/4" 8-track that I use has phantom power. It's actually a pretty cool sounding mixer with the only downside being the faders aren't exactly the smoothest moving but other than that it's got a cool sound that fits the format I use it for.
 
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