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Old 12-20-2018, 05:58 PM   #1
Fran3
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Default Record "straight in" vs from Microphone

Setting up a small recording studio here and I wondered how you guys did "straight-in" recording... meaning instead of putting a mic in front of the amp or in front of the acoustic instrument...

I'm mainly talking about electric instruments here... like guitars, etc...

Our setup has
- 16 XLR connectors on a panel in the main studio
- these 16 cables go to through the wall to our master control room
- then each of them plug into a rack mount XLR spliter (we have two of theseunits)
- which provides two XLR outputs...
- one XLR output goes to an input on one of our Motu 8-Pre's
- the other goes to a mixer for the studio mix to the talent's headphones.

Anyway... how do you guys go "straight-in" recording?

Thanks for any help.

Last edited by Fran3; 12-20-2018 at 06:23 PM.
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Old 12-20-2018, 06:13 PM   #2
foxAsteria
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If you only have XLR connections, then you need a DI box. Most budget interfaces have "instrument" or Hi-Z 1/4" inputs for plugging guitars or similar "straight in." It won't work the same with line inputs though because they expect a much louder signal. Also, some amps have line outs for recording. You can record bass like this without any plugins, but DI guitar doesn't sound too great until you add some amp and speaker simulation.
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Old 12-20-2018, 09:46 PM   #3
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You need a buffer after the guitar. That can be about any guitar pedal that doesn't make a big deal about being True Bypass. Doesn't have to be on, but it does need to be powered. Then get you some TS or TRS>XLR male cables to connect from the pedal to the wall.


I don't suggest a passive DI because it attenuates an already not really loud enough signal which is not great for S/N reasons. An active DI is basically just a buffer with an XLR output, so you don't need the converter cable, but you've probably already got a pedal or two laying around, and the cables are cheaper than the DIs would be.
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Old 12-21-2018, 12:49 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cevomusu View Post
Most electric chainsaws can be obtained from low to sky price relying upon what sort of highlights you’re searching for.
Okay I'm into metal but I think your approach to recording is a tad too radical man.
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Old 12-21-2018, 01:30 AM   #5
serr
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FYI, that MOTU interface has a built-in cuemix mixer. You don't need to split the mic inputs (which would degrade the signal and add noise with just a parallel split instead of splitter transformers).

Use a DI box for the instrument inputs as mentioned.

These are important. Having the input impedance so mismatched with wrong connections will really destroy any sound. This is light years more important than any discussion on boutique mics or even HD vs SD vs the lowly mp3. You really want to connect these devices as the circuits were designed or you'll just get noisy hash. At least pick up a couple '57s if you don't have ANY mics. They're $50. They will just work. You can do a lot with a lowly '57. You can't do shit with parallel split mic inputs and instrument outputs patched into lo-z inputs.
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Old 12-23-2018, 09:21 PM   #6
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you want an active DI like the Radial J48 for any passive instruments like Fender P and J basses and Strat and Tele guitars. Passive DI like the Radial JDI for active basses and acoustic guitars with built in pre amps
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Old 12-24-2018, 09:51 AM   #7
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The MOTU website says:
Quote:
The 8pre provides eight microphone/instrument preamps
So as far as hardware/electrical connections you're ready to go! Except of course, you'll need some adapters for the XLR connectors on the other side of the wall, and you may a TS/TRS plug to get high impedance into the 8pre. (Check the user manual or just try it to see if a straight guitar plug sounds different from an XLR connection.)

For guitars you may want to use amp/cabinet sims, but that's an artistic choice.
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