XLR Output to another preamp?

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I may be thinking to much into this but my API 3124+ only has XLR outputs, if I take those outputs and send them through my Onyx 1640 (via the Onyx preamps) won't that defeat the purpose of having the API preamps?

If you take this kind of idea of "good" vs "bad" preamps: http://www.studioreviews.com/pre.htm

And put that with my mentioned setup, won't going through the Onyx pres add that extra "haze" you can see in the link's information? If it would add the extra gunk, how would one go about patching in the preamp through a console (besides getting another convertor and sending the APIs right to it)?

Thanks.

-Edit-

I just thought of this little idea. If I keep the Onyx gain at unity gain, then it shouldn't be boosting or attentuating the signal, that's what we need here. But the Onyx preamp, acting as a channel for the signal to travel through in order to use the A/D converter in the firewire card, would still add the noise and characteristics of the Onyx preamp, making the signal from the API less coherent than is should be, right?
 
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I don't know what kind of output level the API has, but you could use an XLR-TS cable and go into the insert return, and skip the pre, no?
 
what he said, but make it a TRS to keep it balanced, no?
 
IF you have a line in... use it...it's probably balanced so a trs will work... if no line in use the insert... no it's not balanced and you'll have to make a good cable to accomplish this but hey you knew the job was tuff when you took it... right??? incedently it would be real dumb boy move to not pay attention when you use that insert... one of the connections is the output and you dont want to "drive" it from your preamp outs...
 
Yeah, that occured to me, but I don't record seeing any of those around, I have a few older ones I use to use, but I'd like something that's got better connectors. I'm guessing they're sold most everywhere, I just haven't looked hard enough? And TRS is what I'd like, yes.
 
Yes, XLR-->TRS is what you want. Check Redco, Markertek, etc. for such cables.
 
TragikRemix said:
what he said, but make it a TRS to keep it balanced, no?

The balancing doesn't matter, the insert on an Onyx is unbalanced. But now that I think about it, since the ring is the return, you may want a TRS cable anyway. But I'd hook pin2 to the ring instead of pin3.

ps- I've never tried this. :p
 
I'll try both, I just scrounged through my bin of misc. cables and looks like I have 2 Balanced Mogami XLR ---> TRS, and 2 no-name unblanced XLR ---->TS. Thanks guys. But we call agree then that sending the signal through the Onyx preamp is a no-no?
 
Cult_Status02 said:
I may be thinking to much into this but my API 3124+ only has XLR outputs, if I take those outputs and send them through my Onyx 1640 (via the Onyx preamps) won't that defeat the purpose of having the API preamps?

If you take this kind of idea of "good" vs "bad" preamps: http://www.studioreviews.com/pre.htm

And put that with my mentioned setup, won't going through the Onyx pres add that extra "haze" you can see in the link's information? If it would add the extra gunk, how would one go about patching in the preamp through a console (besides getting another convertor and sending the APIs right to it)?

Thanks.

-Edit-

I just thought of this little idea. If I keep the Onyx gain at unity gain, then it shouldn't be boosting or attentuating the signal, that's what we need here. But the Onyx preamp, acting as a channel for the signal to travel through in order to use the A/D converter in the firewire card, would still add the noise and characteristics of the Onyx preamp, making the signal from the API less coherent than is should be, right?

you seriously have an api and an onyx mixer and are asking this question?
 
no shit

the 1st thing i thought before i even bought an onyx was "how can i run outboard pres into this bitch?"
 
My thought on this is you are running the chance of screwing up your api or your mackie.
And Its a waist to plug your api into another preamp. Your just going to add to noise and degrade your signal by using two preamps.
But I maybe wrong.
 
treymonfauntre said:
you seriously have an api and an onyx mixer and are asking this question?

Well I'm sorry Mr. Pretentious, I believe it's a pretty good question. Tell me, if you're so smart, do know if I did put the API through an Onyx pre and leave the onyx at unity gain will it add the Onyx's characters?
 
Ironklad Audio said:
no shit

the 1st thing i thought before i even bought an onyx was "how can i run outboard pres into this bitch?"

It wouldn't be hard at all if the outboard pre has a 1/4" out. I don't need to run through the Onyx pre to get into the computer, I was just asking a theoretical question.
 
Cult_Status02 said:
Well I'm sorry Mr. Pretentious, I believe it's a pretty good question. Tell me, if you're so smart, do know if I did put the API through an Onyx pre and leave the onyx at unity gain will it add the Onyx's characters?

It would, and probably not for the betterment of the signal.

The only time I would consider doing that if if I wanted to reamp the API through another pre. Which I wouldn't in the case of Onyx pres.

FWIW, I don't find his question pretentious at all.
 
fraserhutch said:
It would, and probably not for the betterment of the signal.

The only time I would consider doing that if if I wanted to reamp the API through another pre. Which I wouldn't in the case of Onyx pres.

FWIW, I don't find his question pretentious at all.

I know it wouldn't be the best thing for the signal, but thank you for answering my question about adding the Onyx characteristics.

I think him saying that is completely unfounded and stuck-up of him. I can play the drums like a mother fucker, but I don't know EVERY step in making a drum. Like-wise I can find my way around recording, but all of a sudden, I have a question and he wants to basically say if I'm asking this question,, I don't deserve the equipment. The two are completely unrelated in this situation. If I was asking what a compressor was, it would be a different story. Instead, I am asking an abstract question that not everyone knows. Notice you (Fraser) actually gave an answer, yet he just pokes me with a stupid assumption/question?

I could be reading into it too much, but I hate when people say stupid shit like that. I'll stop now, there's no reason to create drama on a forum.
 
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