steve_e1


Thanks both. Just to make sure I'm not misunderstanding, can I recap:

One suggestion is to use the two XLR inputs. This would involve buying a jack adapter for the guitar inputs - something like this?
 

yes, that would work.

Alternatively I could use a preamp to interface between the guitars and the 1010LT? Presumably then, a preamp has a quarter inch jack socket to plug the guitar into, and then an RCA output to connect to the 1010? Is there a chance you could link to an example of this kind of equipment?
 

yes, there are recommendations on my website.  however, most preamp outputs do not have RCA plugs.  standard recording I/O is typically either 1/4" unbalanced, 1/4" balanced or XLR.  RCA is actually standard for consumer equipment, not recording equipment, but RCA does show up in recording equipment occassionally.  you'd typically need a 1/4" to RCA adapter for using the preamp output to connect to the 1010LT's RCA inputs.

Finally I could use a line level mixer. Again I guess that this would enable you to plug one or more quarter inch jacks into it, and have the output connected to the soundcard via RCA jacks? Again, would it be possible to suggest a make or link to an example? At the moment it feels like I keep missing a vital ingredient and not being able to get going.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

yes, and again, you'd likely need an adapter for 1/4" to RCA.  and again, I have recommendations on my website.

57Gregy


Uh oh. Prepare for the explanation of balanced/unbalanced.

I was going to wait and see if he caught that...

Steve,
 There are many interfaces available for connecting a number of different signals to your computer. Many interfaces provide for a number of different types of inputs and outputs. We typically break them down by signal types, digital and/or audio signals. Since this forum really doesn't deal with video or other RF signals, I'll limit the scope to signals represented in the audio range.  As Musical Engineering hobbyists, we must consider these factors when purchasing or upgrading an interface for our computer.

In the digital realm, there are typically 3 formats  that provide digital input/output signals: Each of these interfaces have prescribed details as to how the signals are conditioned for communication to the targeted receiver. In other words, they follow a specified protocol.

There is S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace) which comes in two versions a 75ohm coax or fiber cable. This typically only carries a single stereo audio signal and is now widely available for high quality applications.

There is also ADAT which can handle 8 audio channels simultaneously down an optical cable. These are not very prevalent any more but still provide a niche for high quality multi-channel applications.

Further, there is MIDI which provides an interface for musical instruments to transfer events (not sounds) to the computer or another instrument source for sound creation.

On the other hand, in the Analog world, our options are bit more open. Since our signals are not preconditioned to work over a specific protocol, the user must consider the conditioning of these signals. There are a number of important issues involved with mating signals to analog inputs which the interface may or may not provide for. At a minimum, most interfaces like to work with signals at line levels. Different microphones as well as guitar and bass Pickups and keyboards all provided their signals under various conditions.  Many interfaces provide pre-amplifiers as well as phantom power to help condition microphone signals to line levels that most interfaces require to process the signals for your computer.  The pickups on Guitar and Bass also need amplification to get them to the required line-level but not to the same extent as a microphone might. The same interfaces which provide preamps for microphones usually provide the ability to switch or use these same preamps for guitars or basses. Keyboards which provide analog signals most often provide a preconditioned line-level which may or may not require additional signal conditioning.

There are many types of interfaces out there and some are specifically designed to deal with guitars and microphones such as the LINE-6 POD interfaces. These also come with Signal Processors which can add color to your signal such as distortion, delay, chorus, flange, envelope filtering, Amp simulators etc... And they will provide at least a 1/4" input for your guitar and microphone.

There are other interfaces which simply provide for line-level ins and outs, such as the Behringer UC202. It's simple design assumes the user will precondition their inputs typically with an un-powered mixing board which provides the phantom power and line leveling preamplification required to get the signals up to the required line-level.

Each of us must consider what we plan on recording ( Instruments ) and what we need to get these different instruments to the line levels necessary to record them. There are a variety of ways people choose to record their guitars. Many choose to plug right into their interface with built in preamps and record direct. Some like to add specific effects using a POD -like approach which adds simulated characteristics to their signal. There are many who feel that to get the tone they want requires mic'ing their guitar amplifier.

Thanks for that detail Tap, much appreciated. I'll need to sit down quietly in a dark room for a while to absorb it!

if all the outputs directly from guitars, pre-amps, line mixers etc are 1/4" plugs, why do soundcards such as the 1010LT only provide RCA sockets in their breakout cables?

 
That's a good question. In the case of the 1010, I assume they expected that the user would have a mixer. My Yamaha mixer has RCA jacks for both the record and monitor outputs. I run the record out to my CD recorder, the monitor out to my receiver.