Preamp as external insert - ok?

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Treefight
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2010/03/01 16:55:16 (permalink)

Preamp as external insert - ok?

I feel a "what a dumb question" coming on...  I have a couple of nice preamps that I use while recording, but I'm wondering if they can also be used as external fx inserts.  I guess it's a question about "levels" of the send, etc., which I'm not exactly clear on.
 
For example, as a general matter, is it ok to route an external insert to an Avalon 737 (channel strip with preamp, eq, comp)?  Is there anything inherently wrong or dangerous about sending a signal to a preamp (like will the preamp boost the levels too much, for example).  I ask only b/c all I've been able to find is info about sending to compressors, etc., but not preamps.  The "why" would be to use a tube preamp for saturation/distortion.
 
I'm using Neutrik patchbays if that makes a difference.
 
Thank you.

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    feedback50
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    Re:Preamp as external insert - ok? 2010/03/01 17:14:26 (permalink)
    It sort of depends on the design of the preamp. My Yamaha board has mic pres that take line level just fine, if you turn down the trim. You might have to attenuate the send, or possibly send it unbalanced into the pre (this usually attenuates the signal).

    The logic in doing this at all sort of depends on your goal. You can leverage the eq and comp, if it's something you can't get out of a plug in. If it's a "personality pre" with somewhat overdriven transformers, you might find it useful as a bus insert. If the pre is super clean, it may not be worth it as an insert. This technique probably wouldn't make up for a lesser pre (with less head room) used to record the track in the first place.
    #2
    Middleman
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    Re:Preamp as external insert - ok? 2010/03/01 21:03:03 (permalink)
    No problem at all. You can use external preamps & compression for summing as many people do.

    Your at line level coming out of Sonar and that matches your line-in on the Avalon.

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    AT
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    Re:Preamp as external insert - ok? 2010/03/01 23:25:53 (permalink)
    A mic preamp, as the name implies, amplifies a low mic signal to line level.  Putting a line level into a mic preamp defeats the purpose but will work if you want (for, as stated above, the gooey transformer sound imparted).  If the line level is too hot for the particular mic amp to handle, you can get a pad or attenuator to lower the signal before it hits the preamp.  Shure makes a model that is good and cheap for exactly this purpose.  But it would probably be better to use a line level if you have that.

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    Treefight
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    Re:Preamp as external insert - ok? 2010/03/23 11:01:34 (permalink)
    Thank you all for confirming this.  I needed the reassurance and couldn't find it anywhere but here!

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