Can I use a Neve 500 series with my RME Babyface Pro FS

[DawsonHendrix]

Basically just wondering if im able to connect a 500 series pre amp or a tube tech Cl1b to my RME babyface Pro for recording vocals, im new to analog gear.

[BertKoor]

The output of a mic preamp is usually at line level on a balanced XLR connection. You can plug that into the XLR input of an audio interface (with gain trim pot turned down)

Note that the TUBE-TECH Cl1b is a compressor, not a mic preamp. So you need a mic preamp before that, to amplify your mic signal to line level.

Also I find it quite bizarre actually that Rupert Neve says nothing about the physical connections of his boxes, not even a picture of the back!

[BertKoor]

Also, a gentle warning: if you use a hardware compressor (as part of a mic preamp) while recording already, that will complicate a few things. For instance, if during mixing you found out the compressor settings are not to your liking, then you have potentially ruined an otherwise perfect recording take. Especially if you record your own voice I find it near impossible to properly judge impact of the compressor settings in the context of the final mix. It's something that needs quite some tweaking to get optimal.

You could record without the compressor, then in your DAW send the track out of your interface, route through the compressor back into the interface and record it on another track. But for that you need an interface with more than two outputs, otherwise you cannot monitor what you're doing. I don't own a BabyFace, not sure whether you can send another track to the line outs than what's on headphone (monitor) out.

[T-CM11]

...picture of the back

[lfm]

Here is a video how 500 rack is working(was a bit curious myself seing nothing on module itself)


Looking at preamp 511 there is a led for +20 dB headroom, so I would check this out further what Babyface can attenuate line level to. Most likely settings for Babyface have that as an option. Max has been +18 dBu on some RME I had.

Often another range for levels are for knobs if TRS line input in center of XLR jack.
So might be best to use XLR to TRS cable to get best result or anything you do will be overs on Babyface if really going through preamp and not just AD converters.

So check Babyface manual how that works - range of input line or mic.

[BertKoor]

...picture of the back

Shame on Rupert, thank you Thomann

[DawsonHendrix]

thank you all I learned a ton,

with this all being said, is it going to make sense for me to even use a pre amp with the babyface or should I do purely digital recording?

[lfm]

It become digital either way you do it. It's just if amplifying microphone by either brand.

Question is if you like Neve preamps that sound is of another world than RME preamps and a reason to still use it. But if the 500 series is the choice to make that is another story. It's a rack and built to be used like that.

Unless some thought put into rack in 500 series, look for standalones.
- Neve or Portico series
- Grace Design
- Focusrite
- Universal audio
- Solid state logic

if you got a really good mike and want premium preamp for it look among those. Not that RME is bad or anything.

[DawsonHendrix]

I think I should buy a bigger setup, I want to use the 500 series Neve I guess just for the sake of it, not sure if it will sound better but i dont know much.

I need to buy a better mic too, currently in Berlin and using a rode nt1a which is pretty low quality feeling tbh.

I want ideally a TLM 103, RME Fireface, Neve 500 series as my basic setup, just wish it was easier to sell beats lmao !

[Junolab]

Have you considered sondering yourself? I use a Babyface with my diy Neve preamps in a 500 format (from sound skulptor). Absolutely fantastic. Not sure why you’d want a TLM 103 mic though. Mic is more important than the pre (especially since the RME have great clean preamps), so I’d personally spend the money for a better microphone instead.

[BertKoor]

Have you considered sondering yourself?

Sondering? Soldering? What?

[Junolab]

Have you considered sondering yourself?

Sondering? Soldering? What?

A preamp. It's pretty big in the 500-space. E.g. https://www.soundskulptor.com/en/home.php
You don't need much experience to do so. Just patience and time. You'll get a much much better setup for the money. I even built a microphone myself. Cheaper than he TLM 103, but also way better, albeit a different style (a U47 clone)

[Junolab]

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