Hi everyone,
I am considering upgrading my preamp situation in the near future. I currently have an Mbox and I am now realizing the limitations of the onboard focurite pres. I have done a lot of reading here and plan on buying one of the several recomended choices btween $700-1000 (speck, Great River , hamptone etc...)
My question isn't which one as I've read lots of opinions on that.(though I may ask for more application specific opinions soon)
I want to know whether running a new higher end pre through the line inputs on the Mbox is going to be a liability. The Mbox has the XLR/1/4" combo inputs, and the line inputs are attenuated. I am guessing they run through at least part of the pre circut, but I don't know. Is this going to compromise the sonic improvement the new pre will give me?
The Mbox does have S/PDIF inputs, but there isn't much in my price range with built in converters other than the Focusrite Platinum stuff I am trying to get beyond. ISA 220 is an option but I don't know if I can afford it, the TLA 5051 is another possibilty. I can't afford a new pre and a decent converter.
Does anyone know if running through the Insert returns on the Mbox would work?
Thanx
Comments
Well, I think I was able to answer my own question. I got home
Well,
I think I was able to answer my own question.
I got home and plugged my Pod's line level output into the return insert on the Mbox and there it was as cold and sterile as ever. I have to actually give the focusrite pres some credit for warming the pod up quite a bit, without them "direct" it sounds absolutely horrid.
If anyone knows of any reason that running into the inserts is a bad idea please inform me.
I hope this will help anyone else who has a similar question.
I'll post soon for those preamp opinions :wink:
Hopeless