When to use the hi-z input setting on my interface?

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gswitz
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2013/06/09 09:18:18 (permalink)

When to use the hi-z input setting on my interface?

My interface (RME UCX) has 2 1/4 plugins that have a hi-z setting. I'm still trying to work out when to set this setting in the software for the interface.
 
So, I know to use the hi-z input when I'm playing my electric guitar and set the input to hi-z in total mix.
Do I do the same when plugging in an acoustic-electric guitar with a battery powered microphone inside the guitar?
What do I set it to for an input from a direct box?
When do I not set it to Hi-Z?

I notice that the Hi-z spec for the RME UCX is 470 K ohms.
Some direct boxes have higher values than this. Should I introduce a direct box in the middle in order to take advantage of a higher value like 800ish K ohms?

Sorry for the beginner's questions.

StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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    gswitz
    Max Output Level: -18.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5694
    • Joined: 2007/06/16 07:17:14
    • Location: Richmond Virginia USA
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    Re: When to use the hi-z input setting on my interface? 2013/06/09 18:27:10 (permalink)
    I found two answers...
     
    one here...
     
    and one is this...
    • Basically, you want your Z (impedance) either equal or much      greater than the output Z of the box sending the signal. Usually      for high-bandwidth signals (not analog audio, but definitely digital audio) you want the Z's equal, and they will usually be 50 or 75 ohms.
    •       For typical audio, you probably want to send into the highest Z you can. Higher Z on the input device will make you more noise      sensitive, so if you have noise pickup issues try the low-Z setting. Low-Z will eat more power from your output device, so may reduce battery life, though I would think not by too much. Using low Z may reduce the volume you hear, so if it seems like the volume is too low, go back to the high Z setting. If unsure, use high-Z input since the output device may not be designed to work well into low-Z and may distort.
    •       If you have an electric guitar w/piezo pickups without an internal amp, use high Z for sure. If there's an internal amp of some kind, either will probably work, may well be designed for low-Z. would      need to see the manuals to be sure.
    •       470k is plenty of input impedance - no need to jack that up with      anything else.
    •       Hope that helps-
    The other is this...
    http://www.gollihurmusic.com/faq/30-OHMS_AND_IMPEDANCE_FROM_THE_INPUT_PERSPECTIVE.html

    StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
    I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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