xlr main output to xlr in of a soundcard?
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Posted on Sep 05, 2006 11:20 am
kurtz1983
Member Since: Sep 05, 2006
hi, i have a question that may be stupid for some of you, anyway, as the topic says, can i plug the xlr mainout of my mixer into xlr input of my sound card? thx you for your answer.
Frank
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 05, 2006 12:02 pm Probably not.
On my mixer (yamaha MG16/4) there are xlr (balanced) outputs, and also 1/4" outputs (i'm not sure if they're balanced or not).
This output is line level, which is around 10 times bigger than a mic level signal.
So the xlr input on your sound card (which is a preamp) is looking for mic level (around .1 volt). You don't want to send a line level signal (around 1 volt) into it, or you can, at least, over drive the channel, or at worst, cook something in the preamp (though unlikely).
And not a stupid question. Much better to ask, than to possibly fry something, cuz you didn't ask.
Welcome aboard the HRC, Frank.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 05, 2006 06:09 pm You will want to make sure the XLR input on the sound card is capable of line input level signals. I would assume depending on the make of the card, (which I dont know at present)it is probably a mic level input only. But you can read the amnufacturer's spec and see if it is.
Sep 05, 2006 09:05 pm thx you very much, well, i have a echo mia, witch do not have xlr input, but i will upgrade soon, i was wanting a Digidesign HD3 but 6500 us is a waaaayyy to much for me hahaha ;)
thx again!
Frank
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 06, 2006 06:09 pm Well just to clarify things here. An HD3 will only run with Pro Tools software. The HD3 is $6500.00, now add another $1000.00 to $2000.00 in software to that price to be able to run it.
And after looking around a bit, there are no Audio interfaces that I have seen that will accept SLR at line level. Any XLR inputs will be for mic level.
Now there are the jacks that are dual purpose that will accept 1/4" connections and XLR connections in the same slot. They are from Nuetrik. But the XLR is still mic level and the 1/4" is line level.
So you can actually run a cable that is XLR on the one end from the output of your mixer to a 1/4" male on the other end that will fit your Mia.
Sep 06, 2006 10:07 pm yeah you are right, it is written on digidesign website that it take the special program...
that is for serious business witch im not into :P
ive read a lot on recording past few day and ive seen that i made a big mistake while recording, but people who do DIY or some kind of walkthru aren't really specific on the way to plug a mixer on the sound card. I was plugging the 2 input of my sound card on the control room output of the mixer. ive made some test and it sound better when i put the jack in the channel out of each channel. At least i can control mic on by one.
That's where my mia is not meeting my requirement: 2 input is not enought for my drum.
I will get a layla 24/96.
Now my question is, even if i do all this, the sound isnt big and didnt have balls like the average rock/metal cd....
i guess you will need to know my stock:
mic:
1 sennheiser md441-u (for overall and voice)
4 AGK D440(emotion)
1 AGK D550(emotion)
mixer(im not sure but i think its the problem)
Alto s-8
sound card:
Echo Mia
i take the output of the mia and it go to a stereo amp and to speakers.
i have no referance type speaker.
everything is working with XLR cable exept from mixer to sound card and sound card to amp.
thx you for your trouble shooting ;)
Frank
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 07, 2006 09:13 am Your correct on the mixer out cabling. You'll want to keep the two signals separate if you can. Then you can edit or tweak them separately, then mix them together later.
As far as volume, don't worry about matching produced CDs at the mixing stage. Just be sure to track the signals at a good level. If the levels are good, then, after you mix everything together, you can worry about boosting the overall volume.
There's other tricks for that, like maximizers, compressors, etc.
Read up on gainstaging, also, as this can help you get the levels where they need to be, so you can work with them later in the process.
