Record Amp signal to Audio Interface?

P

Petros V

Apr 13, 2019
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#1
Hello peeps!

So I want to record my bass. While I can simply hook it up on my Scarlett 2i2 and set it on the "Instrument In" to get the signal, I was wondering if I could also record through my Little Mark Tube amp to get advantage of its EQ and filters.

My amp has a Speaker Out and a Line Out. Can I hook either to my Scarlett's Line in and get it going or is it going to send my audio interface flying?

Cheers!
 
#2
DO NOT CONNECT THE SPEAKER OUT TO YOUR INTERFACE!!! That would release the "magic smoke" that makes things work. The Line Out should be what you want, but also remember to set the Scarlett's input switches to match (live vs. instrument level).
 
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#3
bholder said:
DO NOT CONNECT THE SPEAKER OUT TO YOUR INTERFACE!!! That would release the "magic smoke" that makes things work. The Line Out should be what you want, but also remember to set the Scarlett's input switches to match (live vs. instrument level).
Click to expand...

Hahaha!
Thank god I don't like to experiment with these things! :woot:

Great! So the Line Out will work! Thank you bholder! :)
 
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#4
Not sure whether the amp line out is pre- or post- the amps eq section though, you'll have to try it (a safe experiment) or read the manual.
 
#5
Mismatches between instrument level and line level are kind of like "phasers on stun" - not so likely to permanently damage anything.

On the other hand, plugging a speaker / power out into anything other than a speaker (or speaker load simulator) is "phasers on kill" - guaranteed to make the magic smoke...
 
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#6
bholder said:
Not sure whether the amp line out is pre- or post- the amps eq section though, you'll have to try it (a safe experiment) or read the manual.
Click to expand...

I can select whether I want pre or post.
There's also a GND LIFT switch which I'm not quite sure what its function is.
 

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#7
Petros V said:
I can select whether I want pre or post.
There's also a GND LIFT switch which I'm not quite sure what its function is.
Click to expand...
Ok, great, set that switch to post. Leave ground lift alone unless you're having a bad ground loop buzz problem. Should be good to go! :thumbsup:
 
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#8
Might also be able to use the effects send if you don't want to deal with the line out XLR connector. That should also work.
 
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#10
You really should check the amp manual to see what "format" that effects send expects to be plugged in - 1/4" TS unbalanced, or 1/4" TRS balanced, or hopefully both (amp sorts out which automatically). Just to be safe and sure, always best to RTFM. ;)
 
#12
nilorius said:
It should have a balanced xlr out, whitch i would use.
Click to expand...
Definitely use the XLR out (D.I. out) from your amp. Easy to just run a mic cord from the amp output to the Scarlet input. When you do that, be sure to set the input level switch to line as opposed to instrument. Your DI out from the other amp will be a lot hotter signal that the signal coming out of a bass or other instrument. Normally instrument levels are not nearly as hot as line level is, so the gain structure is different for the two choices.

One other thing real quick. If your amp has a Pre-Post EQ switch, be sure to select Post-EQ so you get that amplifier's sound that you're looking for.
 
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