828es Bypassing 1 and 2 Preamps-Front Panel Inputs?

[pchicago]

hi Folks..
Just got an 828es..got it up and running last night -bit of a setup on this unit.
The thing sounds great..can't believe how high it punches-price vs features. I can say that
I'll never get into the depth of mixing and routing software..but it's impressive.
Converters sound very balanced and sweet.

I've got a few things to learn but immediately Im wondering if it's possible to do a complete bypass
of the Preamps in the 1 and 2 inputs on the front panel?

Seems in this day and age things would be setup to be able to do it?
I've been searching the manual and online and im not finding anything
Anyone have route to this?

thanks.

[pchicago]

Figuring at this point the Preamps on the two front panel inputs on the 828es are not by-passable..

....?

[CharlzS]

Because of this note in the manual I think the preamps are bypassed when using TRS/TS cables:

☛ Do not connect a +4 (line level) XLR cable to
the front-panel inputs (because of the preamps).
Use a quarter-inch input instead.

[mikehalloran]

Because of this note in the manual I think the preamps are bypassed when using TRS/TS cables:

☛ Do not connect a +4 (line level) XLR cable to
the front-panel inputs (because of the preamps).
Use a quarter-inch input instead.

This is standard with units that have CombiJacks on the front.

With some interfaces, any of those inputs are labeled Hi-Z or Instrument function as DI boxes instead of Line Ins. This is not an issue with the 828es since you can adjust the input level accordingly. From the manual:

all analog outputs offer 32-bit trim in the DAC, also adjustable in 1 dB increments. You can save your trim configurations as a preset for instant recall.

[pchicago]

thanks for responding , guys..

If I use a quarter inch I'll be in a fairly high impedance situation for a mic tho...?

I'd think that my mic signal level would very low as a result of the hiZ and adding gain would bring the noise floor up with it....?

[CharlzS]

I would not have guessed that you wanted to use a mic without a preamp. Can you give more info on what you're trying to do - why you want to bypass the es preamp when using a mic?

[mikehalloran]

thanks for responding , guys..

If I use a quarter inch I'll be in a fairly high impedance situation for a mic tho...?

I'd think that my mic signal level would very low as a result of the hiZ and adding gain would bring the noise floor up with it....?

Do not use a 1/4" for your microphones unless you have vintage Hi-Z mics (I have a few but haven't used them in over 50 years). You have only two mic preamps:

Connection ........................ Input Output
Analog (balanced 1/4 inch TRS) .....8 ........8
Mic/Guitar inputs with preamps...2 -
XLR main outputs - 2
Headphones output - 2x stereo
ADAT optical 16 16
RCA S/PDIF 2 2
Total 28

[HCMarkus]

I would not have guessed that you wanted to use a mic without a preamp. Can you give more info on what you're trying to do - why you want to bypass the es preamp when using a mic?

This.

[pchicago]

I would not have guessed that you wanted to use a mic without a preamp. Can you give more info on what you're trying to do - why you want to bypass the es preamp when using a mic?

Hi CharlZ..

I use a range of outboard rack preamps almost always..

Many interfaces out there have built in preamps on their inputs that can be easily bypassed so folks can
use outboard preamps instead..pretty common situation.

The 8 inputs in the back of this unit do not have built in preamps so that's easy..

But..this Motu is half depth unit and it's buried pretty deep in my full depth rack gear..


Sometimes it's nice to sit down and plug in fast and start working..front inputs great for that.

I would not have guessed that you wanted to use a mic without a preamp. Can you give more info on what you're trying to do - why you want to bypass the es preamp when using a mic?

This.

See above Markus...very common situation -folks out there in the aways asking how to bypass built in preamps on interfaces..
These preamps in this Motu aren't too bad...huge improvement over the older Motue pres..which were a bit foggy..
But it's nice to have a few different colors and stature options..

[HCMarkus]

So, you will be using separate Mic Preamps... That was the missing piece of information.

If I use a quarter inch I'll be in a fairly high impedance situation for a mic tho...?

The above just got us confused. Level and impedance will not be an issue when feeding the 1/4 TRS front panel inputs via a stand-alone mic pre.

[pchicago]

i was assuming that if you go into the front input combo jack with 1/4 inch that it switches the input into very high impedance for guitar and bass? no?

[CharlzS]

Here are the settings recommended in the manual. Line level +4 output on TRS from your outboard preamps should be good.

Combo Jack Summary.png (20.18 KiB) Viewed 1360 times

[pchicago]

Thanks CharlZ..
I'll try that and those..appreciated..

Need to tart on USB because I tried to fire up the 828es using USB this morning (been using Thunderbolt)
and noine of my recording will load when the unit is connected Via USB..
Works fine in Thunderbolt..
In USB, All Applications try to load and then they hang with a spinning beachball..

LogicX, Reaper, even Garageband..

Computer is seeing the 828 in USB..checked all that..usually USB is a piece of cake as far as behavior goes..