Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

citizenchris099 · Post by **citizenchris099** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:57 pm

I'm using an Apogee One (which has both Mic and Instrument Inputs) Apogee ONE Features > Apogee Electronics
To record Bass Guitar into Live 8.
My question is what (if any) is the difference in recording using the direct instrument input (1/4 strait to the One) vs using a DI and the Mic input (1/4 to DI >XLR from DI to the One) ??
Right now I own a simple passive DI i picked up from G.C. a few months back before I had the One (or any audio interface that had direct Instrument input)

savyurrecords · Post by **savyurrecords** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 5:38 pm

unless that DI has a particular sound of its own then no, no difference.

3dot... · Post by **3dot...** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:02 pm

yes... yes difference..
recording through the mic input is (imo) always preferable...
arriving at the mixer at the lowest 'impedance' input possible..
and mic preamp tend to add less noise than line level attenuators...

it shouldn't really matter if :
a. you don't have a big distance from the mixer
b. your mic preamps don't sound much better than your line level "attenuator"

it should matter :
when you don't have an "high impedance" input on your mixer/recording interface

as a general rule of "gain staging" the impedance levels between the input and output should match...
otherwise you loose power/dynamics..

citizenchris099 · Post by **citizenchris099** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:28 pm

I am a hobbyist to be sure. Any and all use of my Apogee and Live is for simple practice and or recording what I would call "sketches"
Suffice to say my bass and I are never that far from the Mac/Apogee in either scenario (practice or recording)

3dot... · Post by **3dot...** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:41 pm

there should be an 'instrument level' input on there..
if not.. use a DI..
either way.. it's good!

citizenchris099 · Post by **citizenchris099** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:43 pm

Their is an instrument level which is the motivation behind my OP
whether to use the instrument input or use my DI and go to the mic input.

So far I've been using the instrument and it sounds pretty damn good to my amateur hobbyist ears.

3dot... · Post by **3dot...** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:55 pm

hehe... then that should be enough no ?

and l'll quote Dylan for the thousand time (never gets old) :
"you don't need a weatherman.. to know which way the wind blows"

citizenchris099 · Post by **citizenchris099** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:05 pm

3dot... wrote:hehe... then that should be enough no ?

and l'll quote Dylan for the thousand time (never gets old) :
"you don't need a weatherman.. to know which way the wind blows"

dig it man dig it

savyurrecords · Post by **savyurrecords** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:51 pm

Sorry for the confusion.
maybe others should read a bit more before posting.

Anyway

Like I said it doesn't matter. It is an Apogee box they make pretty good stuff. Just use that instrument input.

3dot... · Post by **3dot...** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:59 pm

Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??

Re: Recording Bass using Instrument input vs DI to Mic input??