US 1800 ... can I use it with my hardware?

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JooJar

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I have a US 1800, a friend donated it to me in exchange for a mixer.

I was wondering, can I use it for my audio hardware such as the Virus, EMX, MPC etc? I noticed it has mic inputs on the front, is it possible to use these mic inputs for hardware inputs instead?

If I'm correct, the db is increased on mic inputs, where as it isn't for line inputs. If I was to keep the levels down, would it be possible to use them or would I get an overdriven sound whatever configuration I use?

Or, should I just use the 4 inputs at the back?

I don't think its going to be possible to use all 8 inputs at the same time anyway, I'd imagine latency would be a problem with USB 2.0.
 
I use all 16 at once. No problems. Use the line inputs for hardware hookup. Or the digital in if possible. :D
 
The problem is I have no use for the mic inputs for their intending use.

Is it not going to be possible to use the 8 mic inputs for the hardware?
 
Well, you can I suppose. Just not necessarily the most ideal. Cant say I have ever tried it. Start with gains all the way down. Channels 9-14 will work fine for your hardware outputting line levels.
 
I tried Googling your hardware to take a look, but what you listed is a bit vague. Give more specifics there and I can look a bit closer for ya. :)
 
Access Virus TI Dekstop
Access Virus Dark Star (basically a TI2)
MPC 2500
Elektron Octatrack

Those are the 4 that I'd need to hook up at the front.

I have a patchbay, so if it's not something that's possible I could always patch through to the other channels, but it'd be a great benefit if I could use those mics.
 
Cool toys (tools) you got there! Your MPC has a digital out, so that can go to the digital in on the Tascam (channels 15,16). Use 9-14 for your 3 other stereo pairs.

Hope this helps. :)
 
jimmys69 said:
Cool toys (tools) you got there! Your MPC has a digital out, so that can go to the digital in on the Tascam (channels 15,16). Use 9-14 for your 3 other stereo pairs.

Hope this helps. :)
Click to expand...

Are 9 to 14 stereo?
 
What interface would be better suited for what I need? Are most interfaces mono inputs?
 
All interfaces will only have mono inputs. There are many out there. Depends on what you want. This would be better I suppose. Seems the 1800 will work for now.
 
Yeah, that's pretty much how it works. The inputs are (almost?) always mono. line level, mic level or instrument level.

If you want to connect a bunch of line level devices like synths and keyboards, but no mics, then take a look at something from echo, or an old motu 828 or something.

There aren't too many interfaces that are just converters (ie, line ins only), so quite often you're paying extra for spdif/adat/mic pres that you don't want.

Terratec have the ews88mt/phase 88 that just gives 8 line inputs. Handy job but i think it was based around a pci card? If you can support this you'd get one for nothing since they're 'old news'.

To answer your original question, I wouldn't bother running line level signals into a mic pre because the mic pre is expected a much lower signal.

Not ideal, but if you're a handy man or a diyer you could make simple pads to put before your inputs. I did this to give me line and mic on some modules, but i guess it's not ideal cos you're padding, then amplifying.
 
Steenamaroo said:
Yeah, that's pretty much how it works. The inputs are (almost?) always mono. line level, mic level or instrument level.

If you want to connect a bunch of line level devices like synths and keyboards, but no mics, then take a look at something from echo, or an old motu 828 or something.

There aren't too many interfaces that are just converters (ie, line ins only), so quite often you're paying extra for spdif/adat/mic pres that you don't want.

Terratec have the ews88mt/phase 88 that just gives 8 line inputs. Handy job but i think it was based around a pci card? If you can support this you'd get one for nothing since they're 'old news'.

To answer your original question, I wouldn't bother running line level signals into a mic pre because the mic pre is expected a much lower signal.

Not ideal, but if you're a handy man or a diyer you could make simple pads to put before your inputs. I did this to give me line and mic on some modules, but i guess it's not ideal cos you're padding, then amplifying.
Click to expand...

When you say padding, do you mean like lowering the signal to that of a mic before it reaches the input?

I do a lot of circuit bending, got a load of electronic bits lying around.

Sorry, found it uneeda-audio.com/pads/
 
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