Mic Pre question

Rod Maupin · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 2

I am a software developer and work as a consultant. One of the side businesses I have is that I create DVD training for Windows Installation program developers. I do everything from home and I go through examples and record the screen video with Camtasia Studio and then put the videos on DVDs and send them out.

Since, I was a little kid I have always admired VO artists. So, I decided to adopt some of their practices for this project. In addition, I've been a musician all my life and have a good ear, so I can't handle crappy sound. As a result, I have been working to polish the sound of the narration/teaching I do on these DVDs.

My question is this. Currently I have a Neumann TLM 103, E-MU 1616M dock/interface, and Mackie MR5 monitors. The 1616M has two mic pres that use the A/D converters in the Digidesign HD system (so says their literature). The sound is fine, it's clean, no noise, but it's kind of bland. I sometimes use Waves plugins if I have to, but lately I have been thinking about getting a decent preamp to add a different character to the voice.

What I don't understand is that some of the preamps I have been looking at only have XLR outputs. So, if I go from one of these preamps into the 1616M, then I have a choice of 1/4" inputs or the XLR mic pre inputs. I wouldn't think you would want to run from one preamp into another, so it seems that I would use the 1/4" inputs on the 1616M.

How do you go from XLR to 1/4" phono?

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Not 1/4" phono...1/4" TRS...You would buy an XLR to TRS cable. And yes, you're correct in assuming that you wouldn't want to double-pre the signal.

1/4" phono is unbalanced, TRS looks similar, but is a balanced connection (two black rings).

Emmett

Rod Maupin · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 2

You're correct, I checked the manual and they are 1/4" TRS inputs in stereo pairs.

Thanks.