This is LITERALLY the perfect timing for a video like this! I'm considering buying the DBX286s to connect to the Behringer umc204HD for live streaming and podcasting, and although i knew how to connect them, the extra info helped a lot! Thanks and great video as always!
Oh wow Bandrew. This video came out in perfect timing. I just got my hands on a Scarlett OctoPre for cheap, and now i'm getting a new audio interface for my setup. This was incredibly helpful like always. Thanks!
Hey Kevin! I watch your stuff too, it is pretty interesting and some of it has been helpful for the hobby stuff I have been working on. Thanks a ton for your vids!
I connected my (Daking Mic Pre/EQ) to my Presonus Studiolive 32SX line in, and my signal won't hardly show up even when I crank the Pre and the mixer? Not sure why, I"m doing it exactly like this.
What do ya think about tube mic preamps like from ART, Presonous or Behringer and the "sound," settings they have? I assume the TRS cable is needed for the output from the Mic500 from B.
Help please!! I have a microphone (EV RE-20) connected to a dbx 286s preamp/processor, which goes into a PreSonus Audiobox USB interface. There's a continuous interference sound coming through that I can't get rid of. Mic is connected to preamp with xlr cable, preamp to interface is a balanced 1/4″ TRS. Is it just a cheap interface?
Thanks for this. For years my chain has been SM7B into DBX 286S, to FocusRite Scarlett Solo, to PC, and I've been connecting the 286S to the FocusRite with a TSR to XLR cable. Why? It seems to work (the 286S has the gain around 2:00, but the output knob and the FocusRite gain each at only about 8:00). My guess was that I liked it because I figured the DBX pre-amp was doing most of the work, and with very little noise compared to what I'd expect if the Solo was cranked higher. But I could never find a good answer to why I should be connecting the 286s to FocusRite with a TSR to TSR cable. Now that you've explained it, I have a better idea how it works, and I'll experiment further. Thx again.
The two options will give you exactly the same result, tell me if you can differentiate 16bit to 44,100 from 16bits to 48,000khz ? well the difference here from this ass face that makes the video is the same, you will never be able to determine a hearing difference. L.A. studios have the microphones connected to the preamp and the interface like you have for many years...
You don't NEED a seperate preamp, but say you have a mic like the SM7b, then it might be a good idea to invest in a preamp with higher gain that can drive the mic whilst keeping the noise-floor low. Also if you want a more round and less harsh sounding signal, seperate preamps usually have that, because well, it's obviously more space to fit everything inside in a seperate box just for that. But the Scarlett Solo has pretty decent preamps already, just a bit on the harsh side if you are going for a more professional smooth sound.
Like Billie said, no you don't need a separate pre amp. The Scarlett is a pre amp/interface so it has one built into it. Its just a very basic one is all and doesn't offer a ton of gain or any processing. The advantage to using a separate pre amp that is better is to One: take advantage of a better pre amp with more gain and Two: take advantage of something that might have some processing built into it. Like say the DBX 286s that has a compressor, gate/expander and de esser built into it so you don't have to do it with VST plug ins on your computer. I think it would also rule out the need for a "cloud lifter" or something since you would have a ton of gain between the two pre amps. Another advantage, and the one I personally like is that you can process your sound before you monitor it in the interface. I use the focusrite 2i2 that has direct zero latency monitoring and I can do everything I want with vsts on my computer like noise suppression, gate and all that. Only problem is I can't hear it in my headphones. So whatever background noise I have or whatever sound I get directly from the mic is what I hear from my headphones. With something like the 286s in the chain before my interface the sound I hear in my headphones is already processed and gated so I don't hear all that background noise all the time in my headphones. I also use a dynamic mic that has fairly low sensitivity (sen e835) and instead of dropping 150 bucks or more on a DB lifter like a Cloud I would rather use a 286s that has some processing built into it for 219 dollars. Do you need any of it? Hell no, what you have is fine and there is no need to spend more money. If the signal is too low coming in because your pre amp doesn't have enough gain you can boost it on the computer. Either do it in your DAW, streaming software or use something like equalizer APO to add a pre amp vst and boost it there. I also wouldn't suggest dropping 200 bucks or more on an additional pre amp with processing to fix a bad mic or mic you don't like the sound of. You might be better off spending that money on upgrading the actual mic, not blowing money on things to fix it. If you have a 30-50 dollar mic you don't care for (or whatever it costs), think about selling it and moving on to a better mic more suited to your needs.
Ah your new to interfaces as well? Well the red box he is connecting the preamp to, is called an audio interface, the one he's using here is the focusrite scarlett 2i2. The audio interfaces job is to convert the analog signals coming from the microphone and through the cables, into digital signals that the computer can understand. The most popular budget interfaces like this one connect to the computer via USB. I'm by no means a professional at this, so please do research or watch other videos explaining this if you want to know more about how they work, just figured i'd explain the basics.
So valuable information!! If you only have a balanced jack output on your preamp (Black Lion) is it enough to use a TRS balanced cable to connect with the Line In of the Focusrite Interface? .... So what I mean is: Micrphone > IN XRL Preamp > TRS OUT balanced Jack > IN LINE Focusrite Interface
I NEEDED THIS INFORMATION!!! I've been running xlr to xlr and I have to have it so low that I really didn't understand why I even was using the preamp... I'll be getting the trs to trs in the morning... Thanks Bro!!! One last thing, I was getting so much air that I might as well have been recording beside a fan during a tornado 🤦🏿♂️😂😂😂😂
You mentioned adding coloration as a reason to use external preamps. Are there any any other reasons? If I already have a decent to quality audio interface, would I need an external preamp?
Most audio interfaces don't allow for line-level XLR (one notable exception being Sound Devices Mix-Pre 6), but if it does, I'd personally use that. It's easier on your inputs.
If someone had a MOTU M4 or a Focusrite 4i4 where 2 of the 4 analog inputs are balanced line level (presumably pro +4dBu), would he be better off using one of those dedicated line-level inputs (with no option to trim the level) or using one of the front-panel inputs in line-level mode (as you did in the video)?
Both the Motu M4 and Focusrite 4i4 have four balanced inputs and outputs. Makes sense to use the line input so you can still use both XLR/TRS combo’s for your microphones. That’s why they are four channel, otherwise save your money and buy a two channel.
@@chillywilli There are definitely occasions when I have a 4-input interface on hand and don't need all 4 inputs simultaneously, so the choice of which to use may not be made for me. My instinct would be to use a dedicated balanced line input when I had a choice, based on the supposition that it would provide a shorter and simpler signal path, and less room for gain structure errors as discussed in the video.
I am not an expert. I test the following: I put my SM7B via XLR into my Behringer UMC22 and I have a good sound level. When I put my SM7B via 6,3mm Jack into my Behringer UMC22 I cannot hear almost nohting.
I am being told not to do this. I don't know if I'm being upsold to get something I don't need. I have Presonus USB Box 24c and being told I have to buy a PreSonus Studio 1810c USB-C 18x8 Audio/MIDI Interface with a Pre-amp. I am a single audio mic, I don't have a band or instruments. I just want warm radio tube sound in my vocals.
Hey ! Very interesting video but I'm in a case you didn't talk about (or maybe I'm wrong). I have a babyface 1 from RME. I don't have a line in except for the instrument one, other wise it's just an XLR, what should I do ? Im completely lost 😭 Thank you in advance
Hi, I have a Behringer MIC2200 mic preamp, which I use with a Scarlett Solo 2nd Generation and a Shure SM7B mic. I can't hear my microphone when I plug my headphones into my audio interface Scarlett. When I connect my headphones to the preamplifier's output, I can't hear the soundtrack in my DAW to record my vocals. Does anyone know how to solve this problem so that I can hear both my microphone and the musical background at the same time? Thanks a lot!
Depends on what the outputs are on the keyboard. If it has a midi output or line outs then yes depending on what inputs your pre amp/interface has. Some have midi ins, some don't. Most will have line level inputs though. Now if the keyboard is like my Komplete midi keyboard that only has a USB out then no you can't. It has to run right to the computer. There might be a way to do some kind of loop through depending on the interface and software it has though.
I used the balanced male 1/4" to balanced male 1/4" cable to connect my external preamp to my interface "Presonus AudioBox 22VSL" as you explained in the video, but it didn't work. Even with the input and output volume of my preamp at maximum the signal that comes out is very low. Should I use a mono or unbalanced cable?
I got an ASUS Essence stx II sound card that has trs input for line/mic. I'm assuming I can connect an xlr mic to xlr of portico 5017 and from the trs output of portico to the input of my sound card, without an interface, right?
can someone help me? my samson c01u pro has a lot of like static noise and i cant remove it somehow......when i lower the volume of the mic, my voice wont be heard, and when I turn it up, it just picks a lot of static noise or the hissing sound. Please help me :(
finally got my confusion cleared!so that means i can route my external preamp to external compressor to line input of the audio interface preamp(antelope) and gain all the way down..and i will not blow the preamp..
Bandrew - I've been thinking about getting the Rodecaster Pro and/or the Motu m4. Would the best result be to run the Rodecaster out and into the Motu? Or just go straight from the Rodecaster into the computer via USB?
I've currently got a daisy chain from my ART PRO MPA II Pre to a dbx 266XL Compressor/Gate into my UMC1820 interface. What would your cable choice be for that scenario?
What if your just using a usb mixer and just going XLR to XLR and just adjusting the gain on the mixer? Do you loose any quality or is it always better to use a pre amp when going into any audio interface? I am currently using a Tascam Model 24 usb mixer and the using it as an audio interface in my DAW then adjusting my doobly do’s in the pre effects panel.
I saw some videos that say that in Apollo Twin it is not possible to leave the preamp in bypass, whenever using an external preamp the interface preamp will color it. It is true ?
Yea I heard this is true, you can’t by pass the preamps completely. You can only completely by pass the preamps on the Apollo Rack Units. They should allow you to. It’s pretty stupid
I’m thinking about purchasing the SSL Six. I have a BAE 1073 DMP. Would you recommend putting the BAE first? Do people use 2 preamps in series? I haven’t found any info about this on TH-cam. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video! I got the Portico 5017 as well and feel like I'm not getting the juice that everyone seems to get out of it! The fact that the Portico line output gives you an XLR connection and the Mic output a 1/4” confused me right off the bat, lol...great job, keep it up!
As a newbie to the voiceover industry, I’ve been looking for someone to make these clarifications for me for MONTHS!! Now if I could just find a reasonably priced audio interface that doesn’t require me to sign away to them the info on EVERYTHING I do from my computer, like Focusrite does with Scarlett.
Great video, but there is one thing I might be misunderstanding here. While I agree with everything you said, your comment about the TRS cable reducing radio frequencies/EMI from shielding confused me. TRS in itself doesnt reduce EMI and RFI, nor do all TRS cables include sheilding (obviously a good quality cable does, but that doesnt define TRS). The reason you would use TRS is becuase the signal from the mic and XLR cable is seprated by left and right, instead of one singal and ground, thus making use of TRS instead of TS since TRS also has left and right signals as seperate. Now you might have implied this and I might have simply misunderstood, so I apologize if thats the case. Other than that though, I absolutely agree with everything you said, esspecially with using TRS instead XLR on the USB interface. Anyways thanks for the great video as always! Sorry for being so nitpicky!
Huh. I just learned that I've been running my signal chain incorrectly for the past 6 years. (sm7b > 512c lunchbox preamp > Scarlett 2i2 all via xlr to xlr). Time to dig into my box of cables and see if I have an xlr to balanced 1/4" lying around. Thanks man!
Maybe I read past it if anyone else asked & anyone can feel free to advise: I only have a Rode NT1a & a Scarlett Solo for home recording for myself when I complete a song. Is this example to say that THIS is how I SHOULD be recording my vocals, with an external amp? Or is my simple setup just fine?
So if I am getting started with remote teaching and have a non-USB mixer, it would be the same deal, right? Use the line settings not mic on the audio interface? If my mixer has both XLR and 1/4 inch output, should I stick with the 1/4 in?
Thanks for your amazing videos! I've got an audio/PC question which I really don't know the answer to after days of Googlefuing and with no TH-cam videos that I could find demonstrating an optimal set up.. maybe an opportunity to make a video? At any rate, I'm really hoping someone with experience and equipment on hand could help me out.. I just picked up a used Logitech Z906 (5.1 speaker) system and I'd like to pair it with a USB condenser mic (that won't break the bank and) capable of having enough of a tight capture pattern to mostly have the speaker output (from gaming) relegated to background noise. I know that a headset would be better, but unfortunately I recently began suffering from tinnitus and want to stay away from headsets/headphones. I'm planning to mount the speakers in a small room at about head level, 3 feet or so away, at the lowest volume I can manage and still hear all in-game sounds clearly. I was thinking to have a mic either sitting on a desk off axis or mounted on an arm, hanging close above the desk, perhaps about a foot away from my head. I'm aware I want at the very least a cardioid mic, and also looked at super and hypercardioid but really not sure if spending the extra money for an XLR set up is really worth it. Essentially, does anyone have any experience of the best setup for my scenario? Or perhaps the best USB mic to use that would bring me closest to my target? Also, I'm not opposed to an XLR set up, although it's pricier, If there's an obvious benefit when using external speakers. I appreciate you making it this far through this lengthy post and thanks in advance for any help.
thx man this solves my problem. btw if my usb mixer has its amplifier do i still need the preamp? And lastly, my mixer does not have a usb out(trs to a 3.5m jack connected to my mic jack of my pc) , is there any device that can make my output quieter?
So I've got a preamp, a condenser/limiter/gate and an EQ, plus my interface. I'm going XLR through the entire path. Should I go to the TRS from the final rack to the interface, then?
I like your videos but I've always wondered about one thing ... What's up with those hats indoors? Are you cold or something? because if this is some kind of fashion thing... I don't even know who thinks it looks nice ... its so stupid
I hate that I have Aspergers and other learning disabilities. I desperately wanna be able to follow and understand all of this so I can use my Focusrite and CO1 mic properly, and to better understand how to use Voicemeeter Potato...
Hi Bandrew! Been watching your vids for a while now. I've recently decided to go for an upgrade from my current bm800, been thinking about rode nt usb mini or the yeti nano since they're both similarly priced in where I live. Though I've already watched both of your reviews, I still can't make up my mind. It will be used mainly for discord and a bit of light recording on the go, what is your take on this? Thanks in advance :)
Can you do a review of Muslady 222a audio interface, because your the only one i know who can explain it more understandably .. the other ones that i saw on YTvideos is too vague 😅
You'd be surprised how hard you have to dig for information like this. Keep doing what you do man!
This is LITERALLY the perfect timing for a video like this! I'm considering buying the DBX286s to connect to the Behringer umc204HD for live streaming and podcasting, and although i knew how to connect them, the extra info helped a lot! Thanks and great video as always!
Love the Neve Portico 5017. Makes my SM7B sound so cleeeeeeean.
Hope you’re doing well Travis! Great to see ya pop by!
Oh wow Bandrew. This video came out in perfect timing. I just got my hands on a Scarlett OctoPre for cheap, and now i'm getting a new audio interface for my setup. This was incredibly helpful like always. Thanks!
Thanks...I was using XLR from preamp into my interface..
I'm soldering a landline phone to make it a mic for my pc. so this helps.
Good stuff
It is rad that you run a U87 and Portico through a Scarlet. I bet Rupert would LOL.
Rupert apparently started Focusrite, so it’s all in the family.
@@Podcastage Oh, that Rupert Guy. When did he ever sleep?
I have no idea how he has slept but he’s a hero for audio nerds. I love that man.
@@Podcastage indeed.
For anyone that doesn't know; that's a $2000 microphone through a $1000 preamp to a $150 sound card.
Wait...im sad because I didnt hear the "dubbly do for what I diddly did phrase" :(
Making people smarter one video at a time. Good stuff! 👍
Hey Kevin! I watch your stuff too, it is pretty interesting and some of it has been helpful for the hobby stuff I have been working on. Thanks a ton for your vids!
@@Jdpanzone Thanks!
I connected my (Daking Mic Pre/EQ) to my Presonus Studiolive 32SX line in, and my signal won't hardly show up even when I crank the Pre and the mixer? Not sure why, I"m doing it exactly like this.
What do ya think about tube mic preamps like from ART, Presonous or Behringer and the "sound," settings they have? I assume the TRS cable is needed for the output from the Mic500 from B.
Ben please review any focusrite Clarett interface 🙏
Help please!! I have a microphone (EV RE-20) connected to a dbx 286s preamp/processor, which goes into a PreSonus Audiobox USB interface. There's a continuous interference sound coming through that I can't get rid of. Mic is connected to preamp with xlr cable, preamp to interface is a balanced 1/4″ TRS. Is it just a cheap interface?
Nobody tells you these things. This info is nowhere in the instructions I got with my pre-amp. Are they intentionally keeping secrets?
Nah they just expect you to know cuz the music industry is such a isolated bunch of us nerds 😂
Thanks for this. For years my chain has been SM7B into DBX 286S, to FocusRite Scarlett Solo, to PC, and I've been connecting the 286S to the FocusRite with a TSR to XLR cable. Why? It seems to work (the 286S has the gain around 2:00, but the output knob and the FocusRite gain each at only about 8:00). My guess was that I liked it because I figured the DBX pre-amp was doing most of the work, and with very little noise compared to what I'd expect if the Solo was cranked higher. But I could never find a good answer to why I should be connecting the 286s to FocusRite with a TSR to TSR cable. Now that you've explained it, I have a better idea how it works, and I'll experiment further. Thx again.
The two options will give you exactly the same result, tell me if you can differentiate 16bit to 44,100 from 16bits to 48,000khz ? well the difference here from this ass face that makes the video is the same, you will never be able to determine a hearing difference. L.A. studios have the microphones connected to the preamp and the interface like you have for many years...
Im not a beginner I think, but I didn't know that! thanks a lot
i just got an scarlett solo 3rd gen, the mic input is an xlr port, it doesnt have quarter inch port for the mic :(
Having owned and used the 286s for a few years, I still found this episode really helpful and illuminating. I a-“pre” ya, Bandrew!
i have a Scarlett Solo, and my setup is like mic Scarlett Solo computer. Is this sufficient, or do I need a preamp?
You don't NEED a seperate preamp, but say you have a mic like the SM7b, then it might be a good idea to invest in a preamp with higher gain that can drive the mic whilst keeping the noise-floor low. Also if you want a more round and less harsh sounding signal, seperate preamps usually have that, because well, it's obviously more space to fit everything inside in a seperate box just for that. But the Scarlett Solo has pretty decent preamps already, just a bit on the harsh side if you are going for a more professional smooth sound.
Like Billie said, no you don't need a separate pre amp. The Scarlett is a pre amp/interface so it has one built into it. Its just a very basic one is all and doesn't offer a ton of gain or any processing. The advantage to using a separate pre amp that is better is to One: take advantage of a better pre amp with more gain and Two: take advantage of something that might have some processing built into it. Like say the DBX 286s that has a compressor, gate/expander and de esser built into it so you don't have to do it with VST plug ins on your computer. I think it would also rule out the need for a "cloud lifter" or something since you would have a ton of gain between the two pre amps. Another advantage, and the one I personally like is that you can process your sound before you monitor it in the interface. I use the focusrite 2i2 that has direct zero latency monitoring and I can do everything I want with vsts on my computer like noise suppression, gate and all that. Only problem is I can't hear it in my headphones. So whatever background noise I have or whatever sound I get directly from the mic is what I hear from my headphones. With something like the 286s in the chain before my interface the sound I hear in my headphones is already processed and gated so I don't hear all that background noise all the time in my headphones. I also use a dynamic mic that has fairly low sensitivity (sen e835) and instead of dropping 150 bucks or more on a DB lifter like a Cloud I would rather use a 286s that has some processing built into it for 219 dollars.
Do you need any of it? Hell no, what you have is fine and there is no need to spend more money. If the signal is too low coming in because your pre amp doesn't have enough gain you can boost it on the computer. Either do it in your DAW, streaming software or use something like equalizer APO to add a pre amp vst and boost it there. I also wouldn't suggest dropping 200 bucks or more on an additional pre amp with processing to fix a bad mic or mic you don't like the sound of. You might be better off spending that money on upgrading the actual mic, not blowing money on things to fix it. If you have a 30-50 dollar mic you don't care for (or whatever it costs), think about selling it and moving on to a better mic more suited to your needs.
literally same question!!
I love the "little bit of saturation" example. Makes me want to slam my limiters and compress it flat.
For spoken work, it’s really not the best. For music is where you’re likely going to want some of that. Haha.
Holy shit, this is a good video, a masterpiece. Thank you!
You solved my problem!! Thank you very much!!
So how did you connect all this stuff to your computer & what does DBU stand for? DUH?
Ah your new to interfaces as well? Well the red box he is connecting the preamp to, is called an audio interface, the one he's using here is the focusrite scarlett 2i2. The audio interfaces job is to convert the analog signals coming from the microphone and through the cables, into digital signals that the computer can understand. The most popular budget interfaces like this one connect to the computer via USB. I'm by no means a professional at this, so please do research or watch other videos explaining this if you want to know more about how they work, just figured i'd explain the basics.
Bandrew, can I use a Podmic with a XLR to USB or 3.5mm with sound card? As it doesn't require 48v Phantom power.
So valuable information!! If you only have a balanced jack output on your preamp (Black Lion) is it enough to use a TRS balanced cable to connect with the Line In of the Focusrite Interface? .... So what I mean is: Micrphone > IN XRL Preamp > TRS OUT balanced Jack > IN LINE Focusrite Interface
THANK YOU!!!!!! FINALLY SOMEONE IN TH-cam WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS SIMPLE THING...SMH
You've helped me so much over the years thanks for being here and making my life so much easier
I can't find any reviews on the portico 5017 how do you like it ? I use to have the wa73. So I'm debating on either one
@podcaststage
I NEEDED THIS INFORMATION!!! I've been running xlr to xlr and I have to have it so low that I really didn't understand why I even was using the preamp... I'll be getting the trs to trs in the morning... Thanks Bro!!! One last thing, I was getting so much air that I might as well have been recording beside a fan during a tornado 🤦🏿♂️😂😂😂😂
You mentioned adding coloration as a reason to use external preamps. Are there any any other reasons? If I already have a decent to quality audio interface, would I need an external preamp?
so helpful, thank you, I was about to buy my first preamp with an xlr to xlr cable, you saved me from a big deception
Cool I play guitar 🎸
Most audio interfaces don't allow for line-level XLR (one notable exception being Sound Devices Mix-Pre 6), but if it does, I'd personally use that. It's easier on your inputs.
My friend please help me :
which mic is beast i want buy /
AKG 414XLii it's beast Or neuman Tl-102??
please answers me ..
Best video on this on TH-cam
I want to plug my KingBee mic to my smart phone...help!
If someone had a MOTU M4 or a Focusrite 4i4 where 2 of the 4 analog inputs are balanced line level (presumably pro +4dBu), would he be better off using one of those dedicated line-level inputs (with no option to trim the level) or using one of the front-panel inputs in line-level mode (as you did in the video)?
Both the Motu M4 and Focusrite 4i4 have four balanced inputs and outputs. Makes sense to use the line input so you can still use both XLR/TRS combo’s for your microphones. That’s why they are four channel, otherwise save your money and buy a two channel.
@@chillywilli There are definitely occasions when I have a 4-input interface on hand and don't need all 4 inputs simultaneously, so the choice of which to use may not be made for me. My instinct would be to use a dedicated balanced line input when I had a choice, based on the supposition that it would provide a shorter and simpler signal path, and less room for gain structure errors as discussed in the video.
f I use an at 2035 connected in DBX 286s (with 48v activated) do I have to activate 48v from the audio interface (FOCUSRITE Scarlett 2i2)? thank you!
I am not an expert.
I test the following:
I put my SM7B via XLR into my Behringer UMC22 and I have a good sound level.
When I put my SM7B via 6,3mm Jack into my Behringer UMC22 I cannot hear almost nohting.
Is it okay to use the hi Z input of the audio interface? I have a motu and it has line inputs and Hi Z inputs. Which one's should be used ideally.
I am being told not to do this. I don't know if I'm being upsold to get something I don't need. I have Presonus USB Box 24c and being told I have to buy a PreSonus Studio 1810c USB-C 18x8 Audio/MIDI Interface with a Pre-amp. I am a single audio mic, I don't have a band or instruments. I just want warm radio tube sound in my vocals.
Hey ! Very interesting video but I'm in a case you didn't talk about (or maybe I'm wrong). I have a babyface 1 from RME. I don't have a line in except for the instrument one, other wise it's just an XLR, what should I do ? Im completely lost 😭
Thank you in advance
2:00 Why not XLR balanced to XLR Balanced cable? Great video!
*oops you explain it thoroughly later in the video sorry.. 😅😍
Hi, I have a Behringer MIC2200 mic preamp, which I use with a Scarlett Solo 2nd Generation and a Shure SM7B mic. I can't hear my microphone when I plug my headphones into my audio interface Scarlett. When I connect my headphones to the preamplifier's output, I can't hear the soundtrack in my DAW to record my vocals. Does anyone know how to solve this problem so that I can hear both my microphone and the musical background at the same time? Thanks a lot!
I have struggled with the gain staging on this set up for a long time. This has cleared up my issue! : ) Thanks Bandrew!
is there a way to connect a digital grand keyboard to a audio interface. and i don't mean a mini.
Depends on what the outputs are on the keyboard. If it has a midi output or line outs then yes depending on what inputs your pre amp/interface has. Some have midi ins, some don't. Most will have line level inputs though. Now if the keyboard is like my Komplete midi keyboard that only has a USB out then no you can't. It has to run right to the computer. There might be a way to do some kind of loop through depending on the interface and software it has though.
@@biteme263 thanks alot
I used the balanced male 1/4" to balanced male 1/4" cable to connect my external preamp to my interface "Presonus AudioBox 22VSL" as you explained in the video, but it didn't work. Even with the input and output volume of my preamp at maximum the signal that comes out is very low.
Should I use a mono or unbalanced cable?
can you plug in the output from dbx 286s directly to laptop/pc? using using 1/4 jack to 3.5 mm cable
I got an ASUS Essence stx II sound card that has trs input for line/mic. I'm assuming I can connect an xlr mic to xlr of portico 5017 and from the trs output of portico to the input of my sound card, without an interface, right?
can someone help me? my samson c01u pro has a lot of like static noise and i cant remove it somehow......when i lower the volume of the mic, my voice wont be heard, and when I turn it up, it just picks a lot of static noise or the hissing sound. Please help me :(
finally got my confusion cleared!so that means i can route my external preamp to external compressor to line input of the audio interface preamp(antelope) and gain all the way down..and i will not blow the preamp..
Ok, but where's the computer? Was it connected through usb to the interface or what?
Edit: I think probably yes
Thanks. I would have gone XLR out from my preamp to XLR in, on the interface.
Hello. Did the focusrite 2i2 mic pre bypass when using TRS cable?
your amazing. Thank you! i just liked and subscribed.
I would have liked to have seen if that equipment came with any stickers.
Holding the DBX in one hand was funny!
hello sir, before i hit the 48v botton, do i have to make sure the preamp and the interface are power off ?
Tell as simple as possible.Why in digital signals we need add Pink or White Noise.
Where is your mic plugged in? Into the Scarlett or the pre amp?
What if the output on my pre amp only has one for 2 female inputs for left and right.
Dude do more talking just show us how to hook it up not everyone is into that extra stuff
Bandrew - I've been thinking about getting the Rodecaster Pro and/or the Motu m4. Would the best result be to run the Rodecaster out and into the Motu? Or just go straight from the Rodecaster into the computer via USB?
I should add that my interest is running spoken word for livestreams and/or podcasting.
I've currently got a daisy chain from my ART PRO MPA II Pre to a dbx 266XL Compressor/Gate into my UMC1820 interface. What would your cable choice be for that scenario?
This video was really helpful. Thank you!
For us, ye olde lads, TRS is Tandy Radio Shack.
What if your just using a usb mixer and just going XLR to XLR and just adjusting the gain on the mixer? Do you loose any quality or is it always better to use a pre amp when going into any audio interface? I am currently using a Tascam Model 24 usb mixer and the using it as an audio interface in my DAW then adjusting my doobly do’s in the pre effects panel.
Do i need a direct box? I thought you would need a di box
I saw some videos that say that in Apollo Twin it is not possible to leave the preamp in bypass, whenever using an external preamp the interface preamp will color it. It is true ?
Yea I heard this is true, you can’t by pass the preamps completely. You can only completely by pass the preamps on the Apollo Rack Units. They should allow you to. It’s pretty stupid
For beginners lol. So lost with all the technical jargon. You and I have very different definitions of beginner.
Sorry that it was confusing. I tried my best to help. What was confusing.
This was so, so helpful Thankyou!!
thank you amazing tips help me so much
Or a Thunderbolt interface.
I’m thinking about purchasing the SSL Six. I have a BAE 1073 DMP. Would you recommend putting the BAE first? Do people use 2 preamps in series? I haven’t found any info about this on TH-cam. Thanks.
0:58 i've also heard and seen "high z", where does it fit among the other types?
Hi-z is the “instrument” level input.
@@Podcastage thank you so much for all your well-made educational videos
Scarlett solo Best focusrite
Thank you so much for this video! I got the Portico 5017 as well and feel like I'm not getting the juice that everyone seems to get out of it! The fact that the Portico line output gives you an XLR connection and the Mic output a 1/4” confused me right off the bat, lol...great job, keep it up!
As a newbie to the voiceover industry, I’ve been looking for someone to make these clarifications for me for MONTHS!! Now if I could just find a reasonably priced audio interface that doesn’t require me to sign away to them the info on EVERYTHING I do from my computer, like Focusrite does with Scarlett.
Great video. Wish I would have watch it BEFORE struggling the whole day with this topic.
Great video, but there is one thing I might be misunderstanding here. While I agree with everything you said, your comment about the TRS cable reducing radio frequencies/EMI from shielding confused me. TRS in itself doesnt reduce EMI and RFI, nor do all TRS cables include sheilding (obviously a good quality cable does, but that doesnt define TRS). The reason you would use TRS is becuase the signal from the mic and XLR cable is seprated by left and right, instead of one singal and ground, thus making use of TRS instead of TS since TRS also has left and right signals as seperate. Now you might have implied this and I might have simply misunderstood, so I apologize if thats the case. Other than that though, I absolutely agree with everything you said, esspecially with using TRS instead XLR on the USB interface. Anyways thanks for the great video as always! Sorry for being so nitpicky!
Huh. I just learned that I've been running my signal chain incorrectly for the past 6 years. (sm7b > 512c lunchbox preamp > Scarlett 2i2 all via xlr to xlr). Time to dig into my box of cables and see if I have an xlr to balanced 1/4" lying around. Thanks man!
Maybe I read past it if anyone else asked & anyone can feel free to advise:
I only have a Rode NT1a & a Scarlett Solo for home recording for myself when I complete a song. Is this example to say that THIS is how I SHOULD be recording my vocals, with an external amp? Or is my simple setup just fine?
Simple setup is perfectly fine.
So if I am getting started with remote teaching and have a non-USB mixer, it would be the same deal, right? Use the line settings not mic on the audio interface? If my mixer has both XLR and 1/4 inch output, should I stick with the 1/4 in?
Thanks for your amazing videos! I've got an audio/PC question which I really don't know the answer to after days of Googlefuing and with no TH-cam videos that I could find demonstrating an optimal set up.. maybe an opportunity to make a video? At any rate, I'm really hoping someone with experience and equipment on hand could help me out..
I just picked up a used Logitech Z906 (5.1 speaker) system and I'd like to pair it with a USB condenser mic (that won't break the bank and) capable of having enough of a tight capture pattern to mostly have the speaker output (from gaming) relegated to background noise. I know that a headset would be better, but unfortunately I recently began suffering from tinnitus and want to stay away from headsets/headphones.
I'm planning to mount the speakers in a small room at about head level, 3 feet or so away, at the lowest volume I can manage and still hear all in-game sounds clearly. I was thinking to have a mic either sitting on a desk off axis or mounted on an arm, hanging close above the desk, perhaps about a foot away from my head. I'm aware I want at the very least a cardioid mic, and also looked at super and hypercardioid but really not sure if spending the extra money for an XLR set up is really worth it.
Essentially, does anyone have any experience of the best setup for my scenario? Or perhaps the best USB mic to use that would bring me closest to my target? Also, I'm not opposed to an XLR set up, although it's pricier, If there's an obvious benefit when using external speakers.
I appreciate you making it this far through this lengthy post and thanks in advance for any help.
thx man this solves my problem. btw if my usb mixer has its amplifier do i still need the preamp? And lastly, my mixer does not have a usb out(trs to a 3.5m jack connected to my mic jack of my pc) , is there any device that can make my output quieter?
So I've got a preamp, a condenser/limiter/gate and an EQ, plus my interface. I'm going XLR through the entire path. Should I go to the TRS from the final rack to the interface, then?
My mixer has a +48 volts option on it. Does this mean I don't have to buy a separate preamp? Can I just plug the mic directly into the mixer?
I like your videos but I've always wondered about one thing ... What's up with those hats indoors? Are you cold or something? because if this is some kind of fashion thing... I don't even know who thinks it looks nice ... its so stupid
I hate that I have Aspergers and other learning disabilities. I desperately wanna be able to follow and understand all of this so I can use my Focusrite and CO1 mic properly, and to better understand how to use Voicemeeter Potato...
watch the videos more than once, but focus on different sections each time
question, how to connect mic to Neve 5017 to Distressor to DBX 286s ~ ID44 ? please.
Hi Bandrew! Been watching your vids for a while now. I've recently decided to go for an upgrade from my current bm800, been thinking about rode nt usb mini or the yeti nano since they're both similarly priced in where I live. Though I've already watched both of your reviews, I still can't make up my mind. It will be used mainly for discord and a bit of light recording on the go, what is your take on this? Thanks in advance :)
Hahah, you are exceptional with your videos thanks for the tips!
Thank you very much!
Could i damage my pre amp by output the signal directly to the motherboard? Like xlr - 6.3 - 3.5mm thing.
Very useful, thanks!
Man! This video help me a lot! I’m usin the ssl 2+ but my analog comp it’s now sounding better. I was doing the xlr-xlr
Isn't there still the preamp coloration of for example the Audient ID14 if you connect it that way?
This a great video, but what I think would be better is a video to show how complete beginners should set up a USB or XLR microphone.
Can you do a review of Muslady 222a audio interface, because your the only one i know who can explain it more understandably .. the other ones that i saw on YTvideos is too vague 😅
You just wanted to show off your 5017 and your U87 hehe, love it
Jokes aside, very informative video