8 Jan
2012
8 Jan
'12
1:52 a.m.
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Hi. Thanks very much for your reply!
On Fri, 6 Jan 2012 11:42:11 -0500
Joe Hartley <jh(a)brainiac.com> wrote:
On Fri, 6 Jan 2012 10:50:12 -0500
Chris Metzler <cmetzler(a)speakeasy.net> wrote:
That's the difference between an active and a passive DI, right? A
passive DI just converts to a balanced signal, while an active DI also
boosts the level. Right?
4. I'm so confused about what I can plug into an interface's 1/4"
jack at this point that I'm having trouble even articulating
questions. Here's my best shot:
a) Guitar cables typically use a TS connector while line-level
devices (analog outs on drum machines, keyboards, etc.) typically
use TRS, right? I'm presuming there's a difference in voltage
range as well (hence why guitars aren't referred to as line-level)?
Guitar signals are actually pretty weak, and need some sort of preamp
before they're really usable.
This can often be done in software,
though; packages like Guitarix (http://guitarix.sourceforge.net/)
will help create good sounds, but I always prefer micing an amp or at
the very least adding a pre-amp before taking the signal in.
Right. My problem is my home -- both the space I have to use to
record, and the circumstances (s.o., neighbor, etc.). I can't turn up
a guitar amp and record its output right now. An electric has to go
direct, with me listening by headphones -- there's just no avoiding it
right now. My acoustic/electrics I can probably mic.
But how can *preamplification* be handled in software like this? In
order to apply amplification on the digital signal, you have to have
already sampled the analog signal. Do you send the guitar signal into a
line-level input even though it's much weaker than line level?
I wasn't familiar with Guitarix; how does it compare to Rakarrack?
Balanced vs. unbalanced (or TRS vs. TS) has nothing to
do with line
level, though. That has to do with the signal strength. Professional
audio gear considers line level to be +4 dBu (~1.228V RMS) while
consumer audio uses -10dBu (~0.316V RMS). Guitar pickups and mics
are typically much lower than that - anywhere from 1 - 300 mV if I
remember correctly.
The amplifier for my electrics has a preamp out and power in, intended
for effects. Can I use that preamp? Or should the guitar preamp I use
for recording be *after* changing to a balanced signal? I presume that
guitar and mic levels are sufficiently different that they don't use
the same type of preamp either, right?
Hope this helps!
It all did, very much. Thanks!
- -c
- --
Chris Metzler cmetzler(a)speakeasy.snip-me.net
(remove "snip-me." to email)
"As a child I understood how to give; I have forgotten this grace since
I have become civilized." - Chief Luther Standing Bear
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