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Old 05-16-2021, 05:03 AM   #1
XoechZ
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Default Sound problems with audio interface when recording guitar

Hello!

I use an Engl E530 preamp into a Mooer Radar for the cab impulses. The Radar has two outputs, a headphone jack and a symmetrical out.

When I use my headphones on the headphone out, the sound is great. Punchy, dynamic, powerful, great as it should be.

But when I use the symmetrical out and connect it with my audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett Sole Gen 3) for recording in Reaper, the sound is different. It looses a bit dynamics and punch. It sounds rather flat and boring. Of course I use a high quality TRS cable and the same headphondes for listening.

Is this due to the AD/DA conversion? Is there anything I can do about that?

I want the same dynamic and punchy sound in Reaper that I get when connecting the headphones diretly to the Radar.

Please help!

Thanks!
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Old 05-16-2021, 06:25 AM   #2
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on your audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett Sole Gen 3)
do you set the input-knob to zero=(line-in) ??
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Old 05-16-2021, 09:13 AM   #3
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Sorry, don't know exactly what you mean. I have a button to switch between line-in and instrument (hi-z). Here I choose line-in of course. But if the input volume knob is at zero, I can't hear anything. I turn it up at roughly 12 o'clock to get a good input signal (peaking at about -6dB in Reaper).
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Old 05-16-2021, 09:24 AM   #4
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Hi,

did you tried to connect Focusrite device to another USB port (USB 2.0 port if you have) and check if sound is different and hopefully better?
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Old 05-16-2021, 09:25 AM   #5
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Are you also listening back from your DAW on the same headphones? A lot of headphones are designed to be overly bright....

And also, doesn't the Mooer pedal have settings to do a power amp simulation on one of the outputs? The headphone out is maybe not mirroring exactly what the 1/4" out is doing.
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Old 05-16-2021, 09:52 AM   #6
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Yes, I have one pair of good headphones that I use on both.
I will check the settings inside the Mooer.

Besides, I am not saying that the sound via the Focusrite is bad. It is just lacking some dynamics and punch when compared to the direct signal from the Mooer. The difference is not huge, but notable.
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Old 05-16-2021, 07:24 PM   #7
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Also, make sure that you are listening at the same volume.. our brain plays tricks on us when stuff is loud. It makes us think it sounds awesome.

So if you blast your preamp headphones out, but listen to it while being quieter in the mix, ther's bound to be a difference. make sure you listen to your preamp at quieter levels.
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Old 05-17-2021, 02:04 AM   #8
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Hello again!

I have found something in the manual of the Radar:

Output: 1/4” mono audio jack (Impedance: 470Ω)
1/8” stereo audio jack (Impedance: 10Ω)

Can this difference in impedance make the difference in sound?
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Old 05-17-2021, 09:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XoechZ View Post
Hello again!

I have found something in the manual of the Radar:

Output: 1/4” mono audio jack (Impedance: 470Ω)
1/8” stereo audio jack (Impedance: 10Ω)

Can this difference in impedance make the difference in sound?
I would expect the impedance to be different for a line out to the headphone out.

The line out is not stereo and is not balanced....have you tried a TS cable?
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Old 05-17-2021, 09:48 AM   #10
XoechZ
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According to the manual, the output is balanced. I used a normal TS cable, but it was very noisy. So I switched to a balanced connection with a TRS cable. Would have to try again with TS if the sound is different.
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Old 06-08-2021, 07:40 AM   #11
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Hello again!

I just wanted to let you know that I have solved the problem by excanging the Mooer Radar with an Engl Cabloader.

The sound is so much better, and no noise. Perfect!
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Old 06-08-2021, 11:05 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XoechZ View Post
Hello again!

I just wanted to let you know that I have solved the problem by excanging the Mooer Radar with an Engl Cabloader.

The sound is so much better, and no noise. Perfect!
cool mister 👍
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