I get very frustrated with the StudioLive mixers because, although they are digital devices, they have no ADAT or S/PDIF digital inputs. So I think there is no way to connect your DBX channel strip (assuming it's a 376) digitally to the mixer. You would have to use a TRS-TRS lead from the analog output of the DBX to go in through a mixer line input and thus through the mixer's pre-amps.

The only other option would be an unbalanced feed into the insert return. This route would by-pass the pre-amps.

Boswell, post: 394003 wrote: I get very frustrated with the StudioLive mixers because, although they are digital devices, they have no ADAT or S/PDIF digital inputs. So I think there is no way to connect your DBX channel strip (assuming it's a 376) digitally to the mixer. You would have to use a TRS-TRS lead from the analog output of the DBX to go in through a mixer line input and thus through the mixer's pre-amps.

The only other option would be an unbalanced feed into the insert return. This route would by-pass the pre-amps.

Hey BoswelL

Thanks. I was afraid that was the answer. BTW yes it is a 376...

Am I correct in the assumption that an unbalanced feed into the insert wouldn't be acceptable? It would likely add a fair amount of noise... I guess I will take the S/PDIF out of the 376 and go into my still existing sound card, a Delta 192. But I know no way of having inputs from two different sources in Pro Tools or the other DAWs. It means a program restart to change in PT. Too bad

Thanks again. Boswell!! I appreciate the help.

An unbalanced feed is quite acceptable in these circumstances. If you were using a long cable it might be more susceptible to hum and noise than a balanced feed, but running unbalanced will not make any difference to the musical quality of the sound. Because the unbalancing would be at the 376 output, you would lose 6dB of level, but this can be compensated for in the SL.

However, the required cable is a bit of an oddball, as it needs the tip and sleeve of the TRS jack on the 376 to go via the inner and screen of a coax cable to the ring and sleeve of the TRS insert jack on the SL with no other contacts connected. You could make this up from adaptors and other bits, or you could wire up a short special-purpose cable yourself.

Ah, you are in the UK Boswell, I wondered if you were a fellow insomniac, but it's 10:30 AM where you are - 2:30 here!
:-)

Thank you for your help. I can easily build a cable with both leads wired to the tip on the SL end.. I have lots of homemade balanced cables that I can adapt.

However I just heard from a support guy at the place I bought my 2442. He is claiming that using the 1/4" balanced input on the SL bypasses the pre. I think it bypasses the analog trim/gain structure at minimum. I can then choose to turn off all of the digital processing on the channel, and accomplish what I set out to do. Interesting. Will have to give it a run through.

Well - thanks again. The alarm is going to go off in 4 hours, so I guess I better try to get some sleep

Joe

Yes, he's right. I have just looked at the 24.4.2 block diagram and it shows the line input coming in after the mic pre-amp. So I think a simple TRS-TRS cable into a line input is going to be the easiest, and much the same sonically as going directly into the insert return.