Instrument Level Signal?

[vmartell]

Hello

A basic question, but google did not give me a straight answer - yes/no

Is the output of a cheapie dyniamic MIC an instrument level signal?


Thnx in advance for your help, time and patience for the stupid newbie question!

V

[Dozius]

The output of the mic will be less than line level and need a pre-amp if that's what you mean by 'instrument level'.

[vmartell]

The output of the mic will be less than line level and need a pre-amp if that's what you mean by 'instrument level'.

More specifically, I have a dynamic mic with a 1/4 jack that goes into the input of my sound interface which has a switch between line/inst... so I am wondering what to set it to for my cheapie mic...


Thnx!

V

[C00kie]

More specifically, I have a dynamic mic with a 1/4 jack that goes into the input of my sound interface which has a switch between line/inst... so I am wondering what to set it to for my cheapie mic...

Neither.

"Line" is a signal of about 1 V at a low impedance of 600 Ohm at the output and 10kOhm at the input. CD players, radio tuners, mixers, etc etc etc use this level.

"Inst" is about 20dB softer than that, and usually at a high impedance (Hi-Z) of 1 MOhm. Typically this is to be used for electric guitars and bass guitars.

What you have there is a microphone. It's signal is even softer than instrument level (about 40dB below it) but with a fairly low impedance. You'll need a proper mic preamp to amplify it to "Line" level. Most mic preamps use XRL inputs, and often don't have 1/4" TS jacks. So you might need an adapter.

What interface do you have?

[edit]I've read you have a small UB802 mixer. This can be used as a mic preamp. You'll need a XLR-TRS adapter though to fit the 1/4" plug into the proper XLR mic input...

[vmartell]

More specifically, I have a dynamic mic with a 1/4 jack that goes into the input of my sound interface which has a switch between line/inst... so I am wondering what to set it to for my cheapie mic...

Neither.

"Line" is a signal of about 1 V at a low impedance of 600 Ohm at the output and 10kOhm at the input. CD players, radio tuners, mixers, etc etc etc use this level.

"Inst" is about 20dB softer than that, and usually at a high impedance (Hi-Z) of 1 MOhm. Typically this is to be used for electric guitars and bass guitars.

What you have there is a microphone. It's signal is even softer than instrument level (about 40dB below it) but with a fairly low impedance. You'll need a proper mic preamp to amplify it to "Line" level. Most mic preamps use XRL inputs, and often don't have 1/4" TS jacks. So you might need an adapter.

What interface do you have?

[edit]I've read you have a small UB802 mixer. This can be used as a mic preamp. You'll need a XLR-TRS adapter though to fit the 1/4" plug into the proper XLR mic input...

Thnx for your reply!

1) Thnx for your reply - Now I get it... now, I have my mixer connected to the interface input (1/4 Mic -> 1/4 Mixer -> Interface input) and changed the type from "line" to "mic" - hopepfully I did not damage anything... is that possible?

2) Focusrite Saffire

3) I did not realize the Pre-amps only work on the XLR connection... that's most likely my problem - the Focusrite also has mic preamps, however, I wanted to use one interface/control point - the mixer, since I have other instruments in there...

4) Can anyone recommend a book/website where to learn all this stuff?

Thnx again for your help...

V

[C00kie]

now, I have my mixer connected to the interface input (1/4 Mic -> 1/4 Mixer -> Interface input) hopepfully I did not damage anything... is that possible?

Uncommon... Most times stuff gets damaged by feeding too hot levels, which is nearly impossible to do with a mic.

But hold on, where did you change type to mic?? The outputs of your mixer carry LINE level, so the inputs of the Saffire should be set to LINE also and not MIC. If line levels are sent to an input that expects mic levels, then yes you can break it. You'll probably first notice distortion when setting the level

Focusrite Saffire

That unit should be able to cater all three: XLR inputs on th front to plug in a mic. TRS inputs on the back to plug in Line or Instrument, with switch.

Can anyone recommend a book/website where to learn all this stuff?

Manuals are usually a great resource. Especially those for Mackie gear. Entertaining to read, while not missing good technical info for the newbies.

Here's a Mackie manual of a mixer that's very like yours: http://www.mackie.com/products/402vlz3/ ... LZ3_OM.pdf

[vmartell]

now, I have my mixer connected to the interface input (1/4 Mic -> 1/4 Mixer -> Interface input) hopepfully I did not damage anything... is that possible?

Uncommon... Most times stuff gets damaged by feeding too hot levels, which is nearly impossible to do with a mic.

But hold on, where did you change type to mic?? The outputs of your mixer carry LINE level, so the inputs of the Saffire should be set to LINE also and not MIC. If line levels are sent to an input that expects mic levels, then yes you can break it. You'll probably first notice distortion when setting the level

Manuals are usually a great resource. Especially those for Mackie gear. Entertaining to read, while not missing good technical info for the newbies.

1) Aaaaghh... Now I am scared - I will check as soon as I get home... although if anything I fed a line level signal to the input on instrument level mode on the Saffire... I have hopes that the Saffire is smart enough for auto-switch...

2) Thnx for the links!

V