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Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:11 am
by mmtimezs
Hi,
I have a Motu Ultralight and and a DAV BG1 pre amp.
I'm running the DAV through the TRS input 3 on the Ultralight.
I would like to use the Motu as an A/D converter and that's all. Completely bypass the motu pre-amps.
Is this possible? It seems that I am still using the motu pres.
Thanks,
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:32 am
by Phil O
I'm not sure which version of the ultralight you have, but the mk3 has inputs 3 through 8 as TRS line level. You're stuck with instrument inputs on 1 and 2 as far as I can tell.
Phil
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:00 am
by mmtimezs
Thanks Phil,
I have the earlier version Ultralight. Same TRS inputs from 3 to 8. Are we sure these do not use the pre-amps in the Motu?
There is still a small amount of gain running through them and I can adjust the trim of these inputs using CueMix, which leads me to think that pre-amps are in use.
Am I wrong? What I want is a dedicated A/D converter, nothing more.
The Motu 8Pre lists this as a function, but the Ultralight does not, which also leads me to think I'm getting some pre through this input.
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:11 am
by nick danger
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but if you don't use any of the digital "boost" options in Cuemix on the TRS inputs, any pre-amplification should come only from your analog pre-amp.
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:21 am
by mmtimezs
Hi Nick,
Even with the gain on the out-board pre all the way down and no signal boost in CueMix, there is still some volume on the mic. I assume it must be from the Motu.
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:28 am
by nick danger
Maybe. But it also could be that "zero" on your outboard pre-amp is still providing a bit of boost.
Re: Bypass Ultralight pres and just use AD Converter
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:47 am
by Phil O
mmtimezs wrote:Am I wrong? What I want is a dedicated A/D converter, nothing more.
Well, you're going to need some sort of level control going into your converters. Whether that is active or passive on the Ultralight, I don't know. I think you can be confident that mic pre-amps are not part of the circuit for inputs 3-8, though. There may be some active analog circuitry before the A/D, but that's probably the case with any A/D on the market. I would set your input controls to an appropriate level and be done with it. If you need to calibrate that, then do so. Shouldn't be a problem.
Phil