ultra dumb newbie question about external preamps

[ruebarb]

All right....I'm running inputs into an ADAT using whatever (ELCO/digital) - using either a digital board or some board with bad preamps that I don't want to deal with.

Now, I would assume that I would plug a preamp directly into the recorder when possible. However, this will not be possible. Not with digital inputs, and I don't feel like buying converters to go from XLR to RCA

What do I do? Just plug the XLR cable into the channel on the board and turn it all the way down on sensivity and crank it on the external preamp?

Seems dumb. When I tried this, I had some voltage problems and was getting shocked between the ears, so to speak...Won't try that again for awhile

 

[xtremedb]

"What do I do? Just plug the XLR cable into the channel on the board and turn it all the way down on sensivity and crank it on the external preamp?"

You got it ! Here's your signal chain: Mic-pre-channel-ADAT. It's that simple. Crank the quality pre and back your board preamps all the way off. Obviously it's a little different if you're using a patchbay.

I always go through a console (however, I use good consoles). You should be able to go from the pre to the ADAT if you have a real crap board. Read your owners manual for the operating voltage--important note: dBU, dBV, and dBv are all different measurements.

If you got shocked, it is most likely due to a ground potential differnce between two sourches. Make sure your equipment is all on the same breaker. Beyond that, tracking down grounding problems becomes very complex. I suggest you invest in Yamaha's Sound Reinforcement manual for a more technical explanation.

Best of Luck,

Brad Gallagher