Hi, Matt. Unfortunately I have all the actual pick up specs on my old laptop which is packed away right now so I'm kind of guessing based on appearance, memory and the descriptions on Seymour Duncan's website. I actually misspoke on the Hotrails thing. I believe it is actually a Cool Rails and it is in the neck position. Here's a link... http://www.seymourduncan....output/cool_rails_for/ It is possible it is actually a Hot Rails but I seem to recall something about Cool Rails in the description of the axe when I bought it. The middle pickup is a lot trickier to identify but I THINK it is this Quarter Pound Staggered SSL-7 http://www.seymourduncan....utput/quarter_pound_s/ I personally don't like that one very much. It is noisy and kind of low output and I'd like to replace it perhaps with another humbucker as odd as that may seem. The bridge pickup I THINK is an SH-4 but again it is hard to tell. http://www.seymourduncan....h-output/sh4_jb_model/ I hope that helps you get at least an idea of what I have. Even if those aren't the exact models they are probably very close to what I do indeed have based on their descriptions. I appreciate the input (ha! get it? Input?) and all your help. I'm not really OVERLY concerned as I'm assuming the the line in option will do what I need but it sounds like you want to check this out for yourself so if I can give you any more details I'll do what I can and let me know any results or thoughts on your end. Cheers, Matt. You rock.

@lawajawa... Hi again. Yeah, I'd kind of like to avoid having to buy something else and I am really liking the tone I'm getting with the Scarlett. I guess I just play a little too hard. It's just a touch too hot. If I could bring it down even the tiniest of amounts it would be right in the perfect range.

Okay... this is really weird. I've got everything set up again. When I use the high z setting WITHOUT recording enabled everything is fine. In fact the levels stay right in the perfect range with no clipping. The meter doesn't even show any variations unless I stop playing. Same deal when using the line in setting (except it sounds a little muddier but it is a barely audible difference). With BOTH hi z and and line in settings the trim knob does nothing. No increase in signal... literally nothing. It stays around -6 db. As soon as I hit the record enable button on the track things change. The meter actually starts showing different levels the the harder or softer I play and the trim button DOES seem to affect the track input meter on both hi z and line in settings and on the hi-z setting it is again clipping even with the knob turned right down (which is why I posted this and what I described above). When I switch to line in the meter drops drastically and I have to turn up the trim knob about a quarter of the way to get it to -12 to -6db. It sounds good and workable enough to me using the line in and gives me more control so I guess this is what I'll be doing from now on until I maybe figure something else out. The difference in tone might even just be in my head it is so slight. So yeah... problem solved but I am a little curious why the difference between having record enabled and not having it enabled makes it behave so oddly. I kind of thought I could set my levels without the track armed but I guess not. So much to learn. Anyway I just wanted to update ya'll on my findings especially for Matt. Cheers.

Hi Beepster,
is it possible that the distance between the PU and the strings 
on your guitar is to small? 
I´m using here an Seymour Duncan SH4 -PU (Dean Paula) with my saffire pro 40 Hi-Z input /pad knob enabled(that´s why I asked you if there is one on your interface). it sounds good.

Can you not adjust the Hi-z/line gain via the Mixcontrol?
The preamps do seem a tad hot at times but usually I just plug the guitar direct in without using a DI box and have the gain on around 3, seems to keep the levels low enough to avoid clipping, but high enough to record a nice clean signal. Also, may be worth bumping a compressor before the input to the scarlett, to help even out any inconsistencies in pick-up height or hotter string/picking/attack.

I have the 8i6, in all honesty as much as I like the interface, I hate the mixcontrol software. Really can't get a config I'm happy with (seem's way over complicated for what my needs are tbh, and lack of time and understanding of it doesn't help)

Hi, Pragi... I COULD lower the pickups but I don't think it would be enough. Also I wouldn't want to effect the tone for when I'm plugged into an actual amp. The line in setting seems like it is going to do the trick although I won't be able to check it out any further now because I wrenched my back right after my last post so no more guitar playing until it settles down. It's a real pisser. Love the hat BTW. :-)

@biglongy... Unfortunately there is no actual input trim in the MixControl software. Aside for the HiZ and Inst. setting button all the other stuff does is change monitoring levels. Not the input to the DAW. I find this a little odd but I guess that's how things are done. It'd be nice if there were actual GUI based trim knobs within the software but I'm sure there is a reason there isn't. As far as the complexity of the MixControl software I find it to be pretty straightforward but I read the manual all the way through. I'd recommend it if you can find an extra half hour to read and digest it. Cheers.

Hi Beepster, so get well soon!

Beepster

 I guess I just play a little too hard. It's just a touch too hot. If I could bring it down even the tiniest of amounts it would be right in the perfect range. 

I think Pragi is right.  You might want to try lowering your pickups a bit.  In regards to it changing your tone, if the pickups are too close it can actually affect your tone in a negative way, so lowering could be an improvement sonically.  If you don't like the change, you can always raise them back to the original height.  Also, when the pickups are overly close to the strings, it can over accentuate hard attacks making some notes stick out (and possibly clip).  


MixControl does not have control over the input gain, so what you get in your DAW is straight from the A/D.  In your case, it doesn't really make sense to trim the signal down in the digital domain if it has already clipped at the conversion stage.  If you are suggesting MixControl have a digitally controlled analog gain control, this would cost a lot to implement which of course translates to higher retail price.


I hope your back feels better soon.


Best Regards,

Hi, Matt. Thanks for the advice and well wishes. I've been using the Line In setting and turning up the trim knob to a little over 2 thirds of the way to full and it's sounding good so far without any clipping. Another fellow here recommended I use my old mixer to control my inputs as well (which I thought wasn't appropriate for plugging in guitars and stuff but he knows what he's doing) so I might try that when I have more room. I've got a whole bunch of old gear and methods to experiment with but for now while I'm just learning X1 I'd rather just plug straight in and play until a get a better handle on things. Take care and thanks again for all the great support. Cheers.