Mic/Inst/Line IN or Analog IN

[mercysakesalive]

I'm transferring some old analog four track cassette recorders into Reaper and I'm trying to decide whether I should be using the analog in's (line inputs) on my Motu 828ES or the mic/instrument/line input's on my Motu 8M.

1. Do the mic/instrument/line inputs color the signal at all?
2. Does the line inputs on the 828 color the sound less than the mic/instr/line inputs on the 8M? I'm thinking because it goes through a preamp stage the signal is further processed?
3. What dB range should I be aiming to hit on the meters?

Thank you.

[HCMarkus]

Use the Line Ins unless your cassette player doesn't have adequate output to drive the Line Ins to adequate levels. That said, coloration that any input may impart is inconsequential when dealing with a Cassette Master.

Record @24 bits and leave at least 6-10DB headroom. In all honesty, when recording from a Cassette, level hardly matters, as long as there are no overs; Noise +THD from a cassette is waaaaay higher than what your interface A to Ds deliver.

Master digital files to desired EQ/Level using plugins.

[mercysakesalive]

Thats an excellent answer. Thank you.

[HCMarkus]

Thats an excellent answer. Thank you.

You are welcome