Using external preamps and a mixer

[umair]

Hi.
I just bought a 32X8 Mackie. I want to patch in an external preamp and currently I have it in the insert jack (Y cable) of the channel I want to use. Is that the correct way to do it? This way I can use the external preamp and all of the mixer's functionality such as EQ and faders to set levels.
Am I doing this right?

Or... am I suppossed to just plug the mic right into the preamp and then into the XLR input of the mackie channel?
I can do that too I guess and just put the gain all the way down on the mackie.

 

[Disco_Dave]

Do it the second way......the pre-amp is amplifying the signal before it hits the mixer. Plugging it in the insert jack will do nowt.

The insert jack is for effects.

Ba Bum.