tips on recording my modular

numbertalk · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: tips on recording my modular

I've been building a MOTM-style modular, with very hot output levels of course, and am ready to start doing some writing and recording. Anything I need to know special? I plan to track direct to my computer, though a tube mic pre to try to keep the signal warm as possible. Do I need to put a mixer between my modular output and my mic pre - could I do any damage to my mic pre by inserting directly a level that high?

Thanks!

kkissinger · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:07 am Post subject:

Experience will need to be your guide -- you may be able just to connect your synth's output(s) to your equipment and all will be well.

I usually connect my modular synth to an Ebtech Hum Eliminator and, in turn, connect the Hum Eliminator to my other equipment. The reason I do this is that I had a ground loop issue that was causing hum to show up in my control voltages! That is, there was no audible hum however it there was just enough hum in the control voltage feeds that the sound became rough. I couldn't even identify it as hum at first.

Sometimes, I run my synth thru a Paia Tube Preamp to warm things up -- however, it isn't the cleanest Preamp in the world and I noise gate it to keep things under control.

numbertalk · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:48 am Post subject:

Thanks kkissinger. So it sounds like I shouldn't worry about doing any harm to either of my preamps or compressor or anything? If anything I just might not have the headroom?

RF · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:17 am Post subject:

Those modular levels are high enough that I might not be comfortable running them into an expensive tube pre-amp.

I take my modular outputs into a Mackie mixer - then to the computer.

bruce

numbertalk · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:20 am Post subject:

Ah, very good to know. This is what I was looking for, but for some reason unable to find any info on. I had a feeling this might be the case but wanted to know if it were actually necessary. Thanks!

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:27 am Post subject:

My modulars all put out a hot enough signal I go line in and have to pad it down with the trim. A mic input is way too sensitive and would be overloaded. At least in my studio.

numbertalk · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:38 am Post subject:

My mixer is the same way, but I've never tried taking the signal directly from my modular into my tube mic pre (which does have a -20db input pad) for fear I could damage it. No big deal to have to run through the mixer, but guess I was just seeing if I could avoid one extra bit of circuitry to potentially color my signal, that would be nice. I emailed the manufacturer of my pre amp to see what size the hottest safe signal to feed it would be.

Thanks.

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:46 am Post subject:

Now mind you, overloading a tube input isn't as bad as overloading a ADC, but you'd still see colouration of the signal in any case. This might actually not be a bad thing either. 20dB cut probably won't do it depending on what voltage you have coming out of your rig.

For accuracy's sake I try to come in line inputs cleanly and process using any thing available downstream. YMMV.

LetterBeacon · Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 454 Location: London, UK

I built the Thomas Henry VCA with the Line Out options, so I usually have that at the end of the patch and use the pot on it to make sure I'm not going into my computer too hot.