Not sure how to hook up mic pre...

use the output from the ART to the alesis GUITAR/LINE INPUT and put the switch on the MIC/LINE. 

use balanced cables if possible.

you don't use the ART as a direct soundcard - it's just a preamp, so you still use the alesis and you don't connect the ART directly to the computer at all;.  it will not act as a soundcard.

hey frank  - the art prompaII has XLR balanced or 1/4" unbalanced output.

Thanks guys... I'm gonna' look at something different... I'll be back for your help... thanks again....

Beagle

ohhey

Beagle


hey frank  - the art prompaII has XLR balanced or 1/4" unbalanced output.

Yeah, I know that. I have the older gold one.  I just didn't know if the Alesis 1/4" inputs could do balanced or if they are unbalanced only. The manual doesn't seem to say.

DOH!  sorry!  I thought you mean the ART manual!
 
rampdog - you said you're going to look at something different - why?  what are you looking for?  if you're looking for a preamp which DOES have a USB connection then you're going to cause yourself a lot of grief if you try to use it and the Alesis at the same time.  if you're looking for a replacemnet for the Alesis, then that's OK.  but don't try to use 2 soundcards at the same time unless they're designed to be used that way (most low end ones aren't).  they have 2 different clocks and they will not sync with each other.

Hey Beegs... Well, how about this unit...
http://www.guitarcenter.com/ART-DPS-II-Stereo-Tube-Preamp-with-Digital-Out-102498649-i1125071.gc
It has digital outs... How would I connect this? Would I just connect it to my Alesis interface? Would they be compatable?

Beagle


Billy - you don't have digital I/O on your Alesis to connect this via digital link, so buying it would be a waste of money for you.  the ART TPS II which is the same unit except it doesn't have digital out is cheaper and wouldn't be a waste of money for you.

but you would hook it up the same way as the ART PRO MPA you listed above - by connecting an audio cable between it and the alesis.  so as far as how you USE it - it's exactly the same as the ART PRO MPA.

as I said above, you don't want to get a unit that has USB connection or digital connection as an added cost because you can't use it with the alesis.  and unless you get a full soundcard instead of just a preamp to replace the alesis then you still need it for output and recording.

Thanks Beegs... Looks like you just saved me some money... I think I'll order it and give it a go... Guitar Center has a good return policy and I do have a gift certificate in need of use....

Beagle


order which it?  the MPA?  or the TPS?  not the DPS, right?

Well... I was going to order the TPS like you suggested but now I'm getting conflicting views and am awaiting an explanation... This other forum seems to think that the DPS with digital outs is the way to go... I will wait till I hear their resoning...  I'll let you know... Unless you know something more that I need to know.... I'm sure you know my setup by my signature and also all the help you've given me over the past few years... Thanks Beegs...
Woof

well - I was wrong.  I looked at your alesis I/O 2 and didn't see it before but it does appear to have SPDIF.  you do have the Alesis I/o2 and not the I/O2 express, right?

if so then the DPS will connect via SPDIF from it to the alesis and work that way.

you will need to buy an SPDIF cable as well if the DPS doesn't come with one (probably not)

Excellent, your good to go, I have heard the Art are very nice sounding rig for the money. I have the baby brother I use as a DI box. Most of those studio  pre amp's are like well over $1,000 but it is one of the best investments if you are trying for something better.
It is a very critical component and what is mostly lacking from the majority of audio interfaces. Just because it's an XLR jack on the front don't mean diddly squat!  I have always used the digital in/ out on my M-Audio FT pro because I own a Yamaha 01V. The pre amps on the M-Audio are unusable to me. For live recording I do use the pre amps  on my Tascam us1641 from time to time and they are actually half arse decent for miking drums and guitars. Wouldn't use them for vocals. 

Have fun with your new toy, I'm envious :)

yes that's correct.

for recording in sonar, you will have to find the alesis SPDIF as INPUT to your audio track, but that should be a no-brainer.

you've come full circle back to the original problem I warned you about.  don't try to use 2 soundcards at the same time.  if you connect this as USB then it will be used as a 2nd soundcard and if you try to use it and the alesis at the same time you will have clock sync issues.

you can use this unit without hooking up the USB if you want, you can connect it using SPDIF into the Alesis or conventional using cables into the Alesis, but using this or any USB device at the same time as the alesis will give you problems.

It's got a USB port , but a search of the ART web site shows nothing about any drivers for it. Without proper drivers it will be a hassle. There's even a forum with people complaining they can't get it to show as a stereo device and the ART people are telling you to go to  windows control panel.?? ( lame)  It costs money to write drivers so some company's cheap out. They would be very smart to write drivers for this stuff,  it would give them better credibility.

I notice it has BNC jacks awesome!

There's no problem using the SPDIF, If you look in your list of drivers in Sonar they will already be there, With my Fast Track pro they share channel 3/4.  The Tascam has them as there own channels 15/16. A warning too, When I use the SPDIF there is no headphone monitoring of input from the Fast Track. I think because the signal is digital they would have had to add a D/A to the headphone bus. {EDIT _ Oh I see the Alesis has a switch for this so good}   In the end the Fast track is just a adapter box from SPDIF to USB and the drivers needed to make Sonar happy.Otherwise  I never touch the thing.

But if you buy the Art and use the SPDIF, your interface is almost out of the equation. Only thing in the way of first class recording is the Alesis drivers and it's ability to handle MIDI input. I have read a few times regarding complaints about Alesis drivers, not sure if you personalty have had  issues. If not then great. Unless you are after more inputs, I would buy the Art first. The Alesis looks like a nice little unit with all the right features. 
Basically the way ( I think:?) it works is:
An analog signal is processed by a pre amp which will then output a certain "quality" of optimized signal. I'll put my money on the Art. This signal now needs to be converted to digital so it can be sent via USB ( firewire) into the computer.
I would only guess that the quality of the A/D converters is on par for both the Alesis and the Art. This is subjective and could be researched further.
The trouble is, if you wish to use the Alesis converters, you have to run the analog signal into it's XLR pre amps or the line inputs. Without knowing the quality of the analog circuits inside there, you stand a chance of degrading what the Art did to the signal. Therefore why bother. 
But once in the computer the Software needs stable drivers to manage the digital signal. Stable word clock and all sorts of stuff I do not understand are at work here. We all know what happens in the absence of good drivers with Sonar. Seems a lot of software can run fine with low quality drivers but not our beloved Sonar.
The posts about trying to make a USB mike work are testimony to this. They, like the Art designers, assume that Windows will just figure it out. Fine for a pod cast but not serious DAW recording.
If there's one thing I've learned after a year hanging out on this forum, it's a clean well oiled computer and audio interface DRIVERS!

PS- I hope you have read the other thread here where they are comparing Pre amps, The Art gets a low review. It is one of the least expensive however.