How to Connect an External Mic Preamp to an Audio Interface

[@AudioTechTV]

For more music production for beginners videos click here kzbin.info/aero/PL1YDn3d3UkT72FUgTNAGN9_ke5nOMY5R6

[@esmaezhar]

hi, i have old mbox pro3 3rd gen & planning to buy a preamp for recording my acoustic/electric guitar.. will i get a good recording quality with this preamp? or just buy a new interface such as ssl2.?

[@AMPProf]

#940 thumbs up!

[@madpriest7822]

Awesome! It's shocking no one ever talks about the gain when using a Pre Amp with an audio interface! Took me hours to find this.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Finally a clear concise and really useful video! Thank you!

[@AudioTechTV]

I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@julioa.1349]

I was looking info about how to hook up my new studio rig that wasn't too djenty and as soon as I saw the Greg Graffin album in the background I knew this was gonna be gold. Already subscribed!

[@tjancijr]

Super, super helpful. I bought an old HHB Radius50 tube pre/compressor that I used in the studio to record some bass tracks and loved it - but I was the player, not the engineer. Never bothered learning how to work with it myself in my project studio and now I know. Thanks!

[@itikutok6568]

Fantastic, very concise and useful info, especially important, as you can damage your expensive equipment if connected improperly. Thanks!

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@thestoicjourney3355]

I bought the art tube mp studio v3 tube microphone preamp and wasn't sure how to connect to my focusrite, thanks so much for your help!

[@BTonTV]

I have the same. Did it work for you?

[@thebookwaswaybetter2827]

Yes! Thank you, I didn't realize I was using Mic on both my apollo twin and my channel strip. Just needed to switch it over to line and bingo. Thank you!

[@gcs3668]

Awesome tips! I hooked up my old M-Audio interface to my new Warm Audio preamp via TRS (which worked fine), but when I switched to XLR into Mic input and TRS into pre, the yellow-green indicator on the interface's monitor started flashing again with signal. Not sure what the is all about, but I'm leaving it since my vocals sound fine. Also, should add that I have my XLR output on the preamp connected to my compressor, so I don't think I can do it the way you mentioned in this video.

[@timloringoneill]

can you help me understand how to use the golden age as an insert? like say i want to put it on a kick drum sample...how does that work?

[@adamdanmusic]

Thank you man! I’m wondering, where is your mic plugged in? I don’t see where that is! Thank you

[@thesethreekings]

In the back

[@keaganholland]

Of the preamp

[@joedebeauce388]

I did not know that on the Focusrite it cut the preamp, a thousand thanks for this info, I did the test it works impeccably well

[@AudioTechTV]

On the Focusrite interfaces it doesn’t fully bypass the mic preamp. The signal still goes through the variable gain section of the preamp. But it does bring it to line level so there are no impedance issues. The Focusrite preamps are pretty clean so I don’t think you will notice any coloration from them when I’m line mode.

[@bantilan3065]

Hello @@AudioTechTV how about for 2i2 3rd GEN without line/inst switch? Can i connect external mic pres too?

[@JaeBTundra1]

@@bantilan3065 your going have to plug right in that preamp of the focusrite with trs cable

[@chistianjoshua9498]

Thanks for the video, I thought the audio interface had to have the volume up! And 48v turned on

[@Vambibuda]

Hurricane Ida destroyed my studio. Starting from scratch. I had an avalon 737 and a digidesing 003 console. Pretty hold interface but in combination with my preamp and Mic, I was getting a good sound. anyway, is there an interface that you can recommend? one that is not the Apollo.

[@AudioTechTV]

I really like my Audient id44 interface. A Focusrite Scarlett interface can be good too. The newer converters and mic pres available in these newer interface should be an improvement over the Digidesign rack. It sucks having to start over but it might inspire you. I had to go through something similar a few years back due to a basement flood. And after the initial disappointment I got inspired and put together a decent little setup which led to a lot more creativity. Best of luck to you!

[@Vambibuda]

@@AudioTechTV thank you brother. I know the Scarlett series well. I’ll look into the audience id44. I appreciate your recommendation/support. I definitely see that way. At first, very disappointed but now I am just motivated for a fresh start. Best of luck as well brother.

[@fatsuperfly]

Jeez! Ive been looking for a vid like this forever, and you make it easier.

[@mlwsf]

You're pre has an insert channel. My board blew a fuse and I have had to rely on my interface more than usual and glad that I picked up the old M-Track with the inserts to go on using my compressors the ART Pro VLA in particular. Nice 1176 clone there ;-)

[@legion.legixn]

I've never understood it well... so, basically, if we plug something into the interface trough the jack line input we will bypass the preamps; but than, the gain knob what is going to do in this case? It works just as a trim knob?

[@trendchamberlain]

Thank you I needed this information

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad it helped. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@pbemusicgroup]

Great video. Learned some important tips. Question, You had the input on the mic pre already set. What is the process for setting the gain on pre amp before seeking optimum level with the output?

[@i.g.onthebeat6256]

Awesome video man would the same rules apply to connecting a compressor to a audio interface?!

[@dariofromthefuture3075]

Didn't need to read the manual! Thank man

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad the video helped. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@funkybunky182]

This video is amazing, but I have a question. If I only have xlr input in my soundcard, how can I work with that? Thanks for your help.

[@antoniomartinez5941]

At 2:32 he explains what to do in this situation

[@AlexHarryMusic]

I’ve been using this preamp for a few years now. All of a sudden the output dial has stopped working. Any ideas what this might be? Gain still works but I can’t find tune my output when recording. Any help would be amazing

[@Blender_and_Chirp]

OMG thanks! I've been struggling w this for a while!

[@yourgen1891]

Thanks a lot I was wrong XLR XLR and bad noise even with Isa one focusrite and motu m 4.

[@akmt123]

WOW, great info. Cheers from Canada. I have the old Apex AMM42 but there is hardly any sound when I use a Mic...but the same Mic works on the Behringer Eurorack UB1202...do I need a Mic Preamp to connect it to APEX AMM42?

[@AudioTechTV]

The Apex AMM42 looks like it’s a line mixer. It doesn’t have any mic preamps that’s why it would have low output when connecting a mic. There’s nothing to amplify the mic level signal. Eurorack has mic preamps built into it. It likely has more gain available on each channel too. If you really want to use the Apex then you should connect a mic preamp to it.

[@lobaguette]

Hello! First of all, thank you for posting the video, it is very helpful for someone looking to learn how to handle this type of equipment. I do have a question for you: I own a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Audio Interface, and the input for the microphone is only XLR, with a Jack input for an instrument. If I were to purchase a mixed jack-xlr cable, would it affect the performance if the XLR would be inserted in the audio interface and the jack in the preamp (basically, the opposite of what you recommended)? Thank you for taking the time to help!

[@lobaguette]

@PLUTXNIUM Thanks for the info!

[@4Base]

yo i have the antares tascam ta-1vp + the voice channel art + the ur22.. so i get bad signal with xlr? .-- i thought line + xlr is same plug nowadays?

[@camerojones]

Thanks for clarifying

[@texasbound7089]

thank you for the edification .

[@user-cm2di5ce2e]

Hey, great vid thanks! Just wondering what mic are you using here?

[@AudioTechTV]

The main mic that I’m using throughout the video is the Shure MV51. The mic that I use when testing the mic preamp is the Shure SM57 with a cloudlifter connected.

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

I'm new at outboard gear and looking into an ART preamp. So what your saying is to NOT use it like people say... Mic XLR > PREAMP IN XLR / PREAMP OUT XLR > XLR MIC INPUT Scarlett 18i8? But should actually be Mic XLR > PREAMP IN XLR / PREAMP OUT 1/4 BALANCE > lINE IN 18i8?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes. The output level will be line level so you don’t want to have it go into another mic preamp (the one on your interface), you want it to go into the line input on your audio interface. Line output of mic pre into line input on audio interface. The very basics of a mic preamp is to bring a mic level input up to line level. If your mic pre has an xlr output, you can use a balanced XLR to 1/4” cable.

[@mustakvisanji2477]

Wonderful vid ...really helped me out big time & got things working just right ;)

[@JAECizeLM]

Thanks!

[@AudioTechTV]

Thank you so much! Keep creating! 👊👍

[@lilsavdabest]

Even though I knew everything you said in this video, I spent roughly 3 months looking into this at one point in my life.

[@A.K.A.ME.]

Thanks. I was worried that budget Vintage preamps would not work with my m1 Mac as it happened before.

[@scottishwildcat6485]

Thanks for this...

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@templeacoustic-uk]

Helpful video - thanks 👍🏼

[@DavidChello]

very helpful, thanks!

[@KronixSantana]

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?

[@musicbyayesha4163]

Hi, thanks for the great video. I now have Pre 73 MKIII hooked up to Scarlet 414, following your instructions. Noticing a latency issue though - that was not there before when I was using the mic directly with the DAW. Any suggestions on how to resolve it? I already increased the buffer size to 1024, but it's still there - would appreciate any other tips/ advice.

[@AudioTechTV]

If it’s connected directly it shouldn’t cause any latency issues. Increasing the buffer size will increase the latency so try lowering the latency typically 64 and lower would be best for low latency.

[@michaelpate6700]

I just picked up a GA PRE-73 Jr and my Shure SM7B is plugged into the input and I'm using the XLR out from the GA to a 1/4' TRS into my steinberg UR-RT2 line in. Interface gain is all the way down. I'm barely getting a signal even with the 48V engaged on the GA. Even with the with the gain notched to 60-65 and the output maxed. Not sure what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.

[@waves7300]

Try raising the input gain

[@timmay4134]

Hello, I was hoping you could lend some assistance here? Regarding your video on hooking up the Scarlett and Golden Age external preamp. When I run that into Logic ProX where should I set the gain on the Interface vs the Golden Age preamp. It appears that the Scarlett gain must be on also? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thx

[@shawnfloyd3325]

Hello I got a question like can I hook like a guitar preamp the same way into the interface as this like If I have like a rocktron chameleon guitar preamp and I want to hook it into my audio interface Will be the same like this

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes. On the Chameleon you want to use the XLR outputs as those are balanced line outs. So you want xlr to 1/4” cables. Also the chameleon is a stereo preamp so you will want to connect to 2 inputs on your interface.

[@AJNAL777]

Great video. What is the XLR output in the back of the preamp used for since you are recommending using the quarter inch output?

[@standol]

Both are working the same

[@nkemebenezer]

I really appreciate your videos sir. Thank u lots

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you enjoy them. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@drmixmohamednabil3551]

Great video 📹

[@AudioTechTV]

Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@C4Crotona]

Would this be a good preamp if you have a more expensive interface? I use the RME BABYFACE PRO interface.

[@AudioTechTV]

I use it with my Audient id44 all the time. This is a character preamp that isn’t as transparent or as a clean on board preamp. It gives you some variety. If you like the preamps on your RME and prefer a more transparent mic pre then this isn’t for you. If you want to add some variety to your setup it’s a nice budget option. I record bass, vocals, and sometimes electric guitars through it all the time. I have also recorded acoustic instruments through it but I tend to like the cleaner preamps on my id44 for those types of things.

[@dannyharpermusic]

Thanks for the video

[@operasinger2126]

Thank you, Zane.

[@greghernandez7181]

Thanks for the terrific demonstration. Based on it, I purchased this preamp. Do you have to disengage the 48V phantom power on the Focusrite interface in addition to turning down the gain? I greatly appreciate this tutorial. It's very helpful.

[@studiojohnny]

Yes, phantom power should be disengaged. Good question. Anything that has its own power supply (notice the "24v" power port) does not need to be powered externally via the cable.

[@studiojohnny]

He also addresses this at 2:22.

[@greghernandez7181]

@@studiojohnny John: Thanks for your responses. Another question I have is listening to myself while I record. With the Focusrite Clarett + 2 Pre inputs turned down, how can I hear myself on my headphones while I record. I can hear the playback just fine. Thanks again.

[@tahirk1225]

What if we have Shure SM7b > Rupert Neve Design 5017 (back panel has a MIC out put and a Line output) > Focusrite Scarlette Solo > (MAC)DAW. What output from Neve 5017 should use and connect how to Solo. Thnx

[@AudioTechTV]

That unit is an interesting one as it has multiple routing options and a blended output feature. If you’re just using the microphone then you would use the mic output TRS to the line input on your audio interface. Or you could use the line output from the 5017 and turn the blend knob all the way to the mic side. You would need an xlr to 1/4” cable for that. If you want to record an instrument and mic at the same time or anything else connected to the instrument input then you would use both outputs connected to separate line inputs. To record both things onto separate tracks you would have the blend set all the way to DI so that channel only gets the front input and the mic channel only gets the mic. It’s an interesting compact piece of gear that has lots of flexibility.

[@tahirk1225]

Thank you so much. Only for vocals.......@@AudioTechTV

[@sajisguitar]

I am recording using a Behringer UM2 interface. I connect my guitar to a Blackstar ID Core 20 V2 stereo amplifier, through the emulated out 1/8" stereo jack through a cable which splits that signal to 2 x 1/4" mono jacks which go to both of the inputs of the interface. My problem is there is a hum when I increase the gain in my interface. Am I doing anything wrong?

[@AudioTechTV]

Is the hum only in one side? Maybe the instrument input? The blackstar likely outputs to a line level. So it could have something to do with that. It could be where you’re physically sitting or standing while playing. I typically need to move away from the computer so I don’t get any interference. So you can try maybe moving around to see if that helps. You can also try moving the interface to another location it could be getting interference from somewhere.

[@sajisguitar]

@@AudioTechTV yes, I'll definitely try that. Thanks.❤️

[@clauburrrr]

Hi, I would like some help!! So this balanced jack could fit in an unbalanced jack? The RME babyface pro only has two xlr and two lines, so after finishing this video I was wondering if I can use this preamp to extend my babyface pro channels to 3 microphones, I mean as an ADAT but through line jack. The only thing is that the line entry on RME babyface pro is unbalanced and I don't know if this could work or not. It might be a weird question, but I'm trying to search to options to increase just one channel more, not having to buy an 8-channel adat, as I only need one more (pianist and singer). Hope you read thiiiis....!!! Thank you in advance

[@AudioTechTV]

You can connect balanced to unbalanced. Unbalanced connections could allow interference noise to enter the signal but it doesn’t mean it will. The mic preamp in this video doesn’t have Adat output so you can’t use it as an adat input but you can connect it to your line input to add another mic preamp into your setup.

[@clauburrrr]

@@AudioTechTV nice, this solves a lot of questions I had. Thank you so much!

[@therealjoegrizzly3132]

So what if the preamp only has xlr outs and the interface only has xlr inputs? Basically I have no option to use 1/4 in on either one which you said would be incorrect. What can I do to make the correct connection?

[@mattkodl3884]

Well depending on the interface the built in interface preamp will cancel out. Check the user manual or something like that to see if that’s the case.

[@drillgirl718]

i got a question whats the best cables to use for my setup, i got mic into xlr input on preamp, then preamp xlr output into compressor xlr input then compressor xlr output into interface xlr input? do i just need one trs to trs from compressor to interface or what? thanks

[@AudioTechTV]

Everything sounds good with your setup. The one thing I would change is the XLR output of the compressor into the XLR input of your interface. It may not be a big deal but by going xlr into the interface you’re hitting the mic preamp on the interface. Personally I would go into the line input on the interface. But If it sounds good then there’s nothing to worry about. Just leave it as is.

[@WOLFGANGLicans]

Is it necessary to activate the +48V phantom power in the pre-amp and in the interface or just in one of them??

[@AudioTechTV]

If you’re connecting your mic to the preamp then you would use the phantom power on the preamp. If you’re connecting the mic to the interface then you would use the phantom power on the interface. You shouldn’t enable phantom power on your interface when connected to the external preamp.

[@makinoize]

What about printing stems through the gap back into the daw?

[@judetsang6534]

Hi, can I use an XLR female connecting to the mic preamp output and the other end with a 1/4" connects to the interface input?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes. I do mention that at 2:30 in the video

[@Alpanshbanerjee]

This is perfect ❤️🙏

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@ecedorsay]

Can i use the XLR out of the mic preamp to the Trs in of my Motu m2 ? basically and xlr to trs cable is ok too?

[@AudioTechTV]

That will work.

[@BennyParcher]

Hey bro if I have a compressor in between should I put the line in from the compressor to the interface and my xlr to my pre? My vocals have been sounding so overdriven and I didn't realize o was using 2 preamp before by using the xlr.

[@AudioTechTV]

If you want to use a compressor in between your preamp and interface you would go preamp line out into Compressor input then compressor output into interface line input.

[@BennyParcher]

@@AudioTechTV so does that mean I can't use xlr out the the pre amp? Because I have in and out plugs for each but at the moment I only have 1 tlr cable going from my compressor to my line in on the interface. My recording were sounding so rough your video saved me no doubt thank you

[@AudioTechTV]

You can use xlr from the mic preamp into the compressor if you want. But you should use TRS from the compressor into your audio interface.

[@BennyParcher]

@@AudioTechTV awesome thank you bro I appreciate the advice

[@AviraasMusic]

Very informative

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you found the video useful. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@deansy]

Thank you.

[@kidpatronofficial9072]

Thanks!!

[@TheLeon1032]

when using the pre73 as a Di (using the Di jack in ) do you still go out using a balanced jack into the interface or do you use an xlr cable like with other di situations? does the di bypass the preamp on the 73?? big thanks for the vid

[@AudioTechTV]

The Pre73 outputs a line out signal no matter what you have connected so you don’t want to go into an audio interfaces mic preamp. You still want to use balanced TRS cables. This is a mic, line, and instrument preamp. When you connect to the DI you go through the same signal path except you’re impedance is going to be different and you’re not connected to the actual mic input. But a preamp is a preamp so you’re not bypassing it’s circuitry when using the DI. If you want to bypass the preamp circuitry you should plug into something else.

[@TheLeon1032]

@@AudioTechTV many many thanks for taking the time to write this, its a big big help and i appreciate your time and the detailed reply it helped 100%, I'm subscribing, thanks again man, Leon

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

awesome video

[@soundsound223]

Thank you! I have a question for you, I have Focusrite 18i20 interface, now I want to connect my Scarlett 18i20 to Clarett+OctoPre because I want to use AD/DA converters from OctoPre, and Monitore control from 18i20. Can I add external analogue preamp to OctoPre? In that case I would use OctoPre AD/DA converters and 18i20 monitoring and headphones connections. I guess I don't need world clock for analogue preamp, because I didn't see that option on analogue device like Neve preamps. Thanks in advance! :)

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes you can connect an external mic preamp to the OctoPre. The same way you would connect it to the audio interface. You don’t need to worry about the word clock for your external mic preamp. I actually have my mic preamp connected to my Octopre and I haven’t had any issues.

[@soundsound223]

​@@AudioTechTV Thank you for your response! I appreciate it! I have another quick question because you said in a video to be sure to turn off phantom power on our interface. What to do in case I want to add "Neve preamp on my Octo Pre + but I'm using the 1st channel on my OctoPre+. And phantom power on OctoPre+ is active at the same time from 1-4. It is impossible to turn them on separately. So If I want to use the second channel regularly with phantom power on OctoPre+ I could damage my Neve. Do you have a solution for this "problem" Thanks a lot.

[@larrytate1657]

@@AudioTechTV I have 16 mics going to two different daisy chained by adat interfaces. Recording drums. Is there a way to get a quality mic pre that would work on all of these Mics? Or is it more for just one mic at a time for vocals? I’m new to recording, thank you.

[@guitardude4700]

Thanks a lot that really helped👍

[@tbake3k]

@audiotechtv will this work with the scarlett 18i20? I record from home and still get done echo with the preamp on the 18i20. I have tried to Google it but nothing useful.

[@AudioTechTV]

This should work with any interface. Connect the output of your preamp to the line input of your audio interface. Their shouldn't be an echo at all as there is no latency going from one into the other. If you direct monitor it, do you hear the echo? If not then the echo could be caused from latency in your DAW software. You may need to lower the buffer size. If you're on a PC and you don't have your software setup to use the ASIO driver be sure to do that. If you haven't installed the ASIO driver for the 18i20 yet, do that first you can get it from the Focusrite website.

[@tbake3k]

@Audio Tech TV thanks I'm looking to upgrade my preamp, but I need something decent but not to pricey. Any suggestions?

[@AudioTechTV]

@@tbake3k the preamps on your interface should be decent. But if you want an external preamp and you have a 500 series rack the SSL Six channel strip is a steal right now at $299 bit.ly/SSL_Six_CS I really like the Golden Age Projects Pre73, it’s not too much at $349 bit.ly/Sweetwater_Golden_Age_Project-Pre73 There are some others in around that price range. If you go with something cheap, the mic pre might not be as good as what’s on your interface.

[@BTonTV]

Help! So I have the focusrite and an at2020, but when I record vocals I have to keep the gain way down or else I get like a static-like signal. Is this normal? I have an Art tube preamp but when I tried using it(using xlr cable), it made the vocals louder and the static noise got harsher and louder. Do you have suggestions?

[@AudioTechTV]

I haven’t experienced this with that mic. My suggestion would be to try another xlr cable to see if that gets rid of the noise. And if you have access to another mic try that out too. That way you can determine if it’s the cable or the mic. If the noise is still there even with another mic and cable it could be an issue with the audio interface. It’s possible that it could be some sort of electrical interference if it’s close to something that might caused that. Cell phones and iPads are big causes of interference. That’s about all i can recommend from what you’ve told me. If it’s happening with the ART mic pre then it’s not likely the interface that’s causing the issue.

[@probablychefjohnny]

hey will this work with an id4?

[@youngaceforlife]

it would have been helpful to see where to put the xlr cable into as there were two options

[@mattmattmatt6700]

good info

[@joungjimmy]

Bro thank U so much for this video,it was so hard to find i formation bout this in a long time , thank U 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌💫💫💫💫⚡⚡⚡

[@mjaysmileofficial]

is there a difference if i use XLR -> TRS cable and put XLR to preamp and TRS to my audio interface?

[@maxkhrisanfov]

No difference. Just not plug XLR to interface.

[@PusisD]

Hello which wire is best to connect the Behringer UV1 preamp to motu m2? someone advises trs trs someone xlr xlr - which is better and more correct?

[@AudioTechTV]

That Behringer unit has a balanced 1/4” line out and a balanced XLR line out. So you could use a balanced TRS to TRS cable or a Balanced XLR to TRS cable. Either way works. If you were to use an XLR at the input of the interface then you’ll also be going through the mic preamp on the interface so the impedence levels will be off and also there could be some added coloration from the Motu mic preamp. It will work that way but it’s not the optimal way to connect it.

[@PusisD]

@@AudioTechTV What cable would you personally use if you had this equipment?

[@AudioTechTV]

If I were purchasing a cable specific for this I would go with the XLR to 1/4” trs. That’s how I have all my outboard gear connected.

[@PusisD]

@@AudioTechTV I was simply advised to use an xlr xlr cable for this equipment and I ordered it, and only now I decided to check with knowledgeable people which cable is better Well, since I ordered xlr xlr I’ll have to use it - if there are problems, I’ll replace it with xlr trs

[@AudioTechTV]

It won’t hurt anything to use it that way but the sound might be affected by the impedance difference and the fact that you’re running a mic preamp into another mic preamp. Maybe it has a cool unique sound to it though.

[@ΗμέραΚαλή]

Well done 👍 thank you 🌱

[@royulperpull4606]

Was you me volume down on the interface and did you have phantom power activated on both the pre amp and interface?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes I keep the gain (volume) all the way down on the interface. If you have a condenser mic you only need to use the phantom power on your external mic preamp. If you turn it on, on your interface you could damage the external mic pre.

[@royulperpull4606]

@@AudioTechTV thank you. And I don’t have cables. Can I just connect to external preamp itself

[@AudioTechTV]

@@royulperpull4606 connect it to your computers sound card? You could but you would need a 1/4” TS cable to 1/8” ts cable to connect to your computer’s line input.

[@royulperpull4606]

@@AudioTechTV appreciate u king!

[@ulfsvensson9710]

Same pre amp as i have! It's great.

[@AudioTechTV]

It’s a great little preamp. Not only for mics but I also really like recording bass through it.

[@lukogs]

Is this music recording preamp? Are public address amplifier & these type are same?

[@AudioTechTV]

You could use this preamp for recording or in love situations. But if you’re wondering about connecting a PA to an audio interface it would be similar. Make sure you don’t send a powered speaker output to the audio interface. The PA will likely have a line out, if not you could use the headphone output. Another difference might be the PA could be stereo, so you would want to connect the left and right outputs to separate inputs on the interface.

[@fatiswealth7865]

Do you need to turn on the phantom power on the scarlet?

[@JoeLSoL]

No, the external preamp has its own phantom power

[@tri-unetrl3966]

So from there can you connect the microphone preamp to a headphone amp???

[@jpthastoner8217]

I’ve got a trs cable going from my Robbie preamp to my komplete audio 6 but I’m not getting any sound can anyone help me

[@JoeLSoL]

Check your manufactures interface instructions or google it. Some interfaces like the apogee quartet ask you to specifically use an xlr cable and set the settings to balanced +4 dbu to bypass the interface’s internal preamps

[@nicodemesaintange4705]

What about the input what if the signal is distorted from the input

[@AdrianGeorges]

Thank s a lot.

[@roidmusic]

thanks

[@EmmoKhan]

Hi. I have a focusrite scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen and a Golden Age pre73 premier. My question : Can i connect a compressor to both of my gear ? If yes, how ?

[@AudioTechTV]

If you want to record through your compressor and your preamp you would connect your preamp output to your compressor input and the compressor output would go to your line in on your 2i2. If you want to route audio out of your DAW into the compressor and then back into the DAW then you will need another interface. You’ll need an interface with at least 4 outputs like the Focusrite 4i4.

[@EmmoKhan]

@@AudioTechTV ok. Thx

[@DaltonRimmerGTO]

@@AudioTechTV what is the insert ¼ in for on the preamp. I have the same one. But wondered what that does

[@AudioTechTV]

@@DaltonRimmerGTO you can use the insert to connect EQs or any other effect to the unit to create a channel strip out of it. Whatever you connect to the insert gets placed right before the output of the mic pre.

[@StoneyBabyMusic]

What if my preamp has a left and right xlr output? I can’t find that cable

[@glitchstudios7797]

How does an external preamp make difference in sound comparing to the built in preamp on a scarlett?

[@fenixfiretime]

its just better quality so it sounds better, simple as that

[@Luna25174]

Escuse me do you know how can I connect two preamps and one compressor?

[@AudioTechTV]

It depends on how you want them connected. If you just want them connected as input devices so you can record through them then go from the line out from each one into the line inputs on your audio interface. One preamp connects to input 1 and the other connects to input 2. For the compressor do you want it connected in a chain? So you’re only using it after one of the preamps on the way in? If so, go from line out on whatever preamp you want that will go into the input on the compressor and then go from the output of the compressor into the input of your audio interface. If you want to use any of these as effects in your daw that you can run tracks through after they are recorded or run virtual instruments into. You will need to get an audio interface with more than 2 outputs. Your main 2 outputs will be for your monitors. The other you can use to connect to the input of your gear and then run the output of your gear to the inputs on your audio interface. The way you would go about using this in your daw all depends on the daw you are using but I think most programs have an insert ability.

[@MrMallum]

So if you only have the Scarlett, a mic and an XLR cable, with no preamp?

[@AudioTechTV]

If you don’t have an external mic preamp then you don’t need to connect one. You can just use the mic pre that’s built into your Focusrite interface.

[@MrMallum]

@@AudioTechTV Thanks. So can you please explain why added preamp? Sorry if this seems like a real noob question but starting to invest and move on to Mics / Vox etc in my DnB tracks…..

[@AudioTechTV]

The external mic preamp adds a bit of color/character to the vocals or guitars recorded through it. Also it offers a little more gain compared to the mic preamps that are built into audio interfaces. Basically it’s to give a different option and sound. The mic preamps in most audio interfaces are very clean and smooth which is great. This just gives you something a little different.

[@MrMallum]

@@AudioTechTV Thanks for that mate! Keep up the good work 🎼🎹🎤🤟🏻

[@MrMallum]

@@AudioTechTV You burning the midnight oil? Where are you situated?

[@jonathansherman2039]

Can you connect this preamp to the focusrite SOLO?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes you can. It’s only a single channel preamp so it won’t be a problem. Just connect the line out from the preamp to the line in on the solo and you’ll be good.

[@lovezachx]

@@AudioTechTV so it would be okay to do that with regular xlr cables? because one the focusrite solo the line input is only an xlr port.

[@lovezachx]

@@AudioTechTV i don’t believe you could use a 1/4” cable on the solo line input

[@AudioTechTV]

On the Scarlett solo your line input is input 2. You connect your trs cable to that and don’t push the instrument button in.

[@AudioTechTV]

@@lovezachx yes the Solo’s line input is a TRS cable. Input 1 on the solo is your mic preamp and XLR only. Input 2 is TRS and can be switched between instrument and line.

[@bernardusdhana]

i want to ask, what can damage a preamp

[@AudioTechTV]

Obviously physical things like dropping it or something like that could damage it. The only interface that I've had that stopped working was due to where I had it stored. It was in a very damp basement for several years and I wasn't using it. When i went to try it again, it no longer worked and looked like there was a lot of corrosion on it. I'm sure things like sudden electric surges could wreck one too, just like any electronic device. And maybe if you plug in a high powered speaker output from an amp or powered mixer, that might do some damage to it. I've never tried it though. If you have an interface or preamp that has stopped working it could be faulty. These things happen with electronics. If you're talking about an actual stand alone mic preamp, it could have a tube in it that might be blown.

[@mohanshiva_musical]

U need DI box???

[@AudioTechTV]

No.

[@johnsuggs7828]

hitting the phantom power on multiple devices shouldn't damage anything. the phantom power from each device is in parallel to each other. That means that no matter how many of them are turned on, it will always be 48v. That all being said, I generally don't do that anyways.

[@IAmAMartialArtist]

Why wouldn't an XLR work when connecting the pre amp to the interface?

[@AudioTechTV]

The xlr will work but you would be connecting the external preamp to the interfaces mic preamp so the impedance would be off and you would get any coloration from the internal preamp too. But using an xlr will work as a connection if that’s all you have at the moment.

[@johnczar9007]

you are agreat audio engineer

[@tomkent4656]

Why would you want both? The Focusrite has amplification built in.

[@AudioTechTV]

There are a few reasons why someone would want this. The first is to add some variety and character to your sound. The next reason is this external preamp can provide more gain so if you have a dynamic mic that needs a lot of gain like a Shure SM7b or SM57 then you might want an external preamp that offers more gain than built in mic preamps. The next reason is preference. Some users may not like the sound of the built in preamps on their audio interface so they will add an external preamp that gives them the sound they want.

[@AudioTechTV]

@@apostolicway2604 you don’t absolutely need an external preamp for it. You can use your Focusrite 3rd gen and get decent results. I would suggest starting with your audio interface preamps and maybe later on you can add an external mic pre as you get more into it. It if it sounds good when connected directly to your audio interface, why bother.

[@doej3944]

Great video, just what was needed, no added waffle to reach the "golden" 10+ minutes mark.