When it comes to math and electronics I burned those bridges back in public school so any suggestions how to achieve the following is appreciated:
I just picked up the Boss GT-001 multi effects unit. It's a lot of fun and incredible bang for the buck - yes there are shortcomings. Anyway the current level of guitar to midi conversion through a single guitar cable is very, very cool. But it only works through the guitar cable input. I want to be able to connect a microphone to this input so I can input midi notes from unusual instruments and even by singing.
From the little I understand about DI boxes it sounds like I might need the reverse of a DI box. I don't own a DI box but would it be as simple as just turning it around, if you know what I mean? So I want to go - mic into mic pre into converter box into GT-001 guitar input.
Thanks for suggestions.
You will need to amplify the microphone's signal, so first thing you need is a microphone preamplifier. To get the impedance to where you want it, you can use a reamp box between the mic preamp and the BOSS unit; but you will have to watch the output level of the mic preamp closely so it's not coming out too hot.
Hi Eric,
probably the most cost effective and versatile solution is to buy a small mixer.
They are legion but I have found the Behringer Xenyx 802 pretty good (don't like them ripping "our" amps but their mixers are ok)
The mic pres are more than good enough so long as you don't want to use ribbons at dawn at 3mtrs and there are two output levels, around studio +4dBu and -10dBV on RCA phonos. You might also find a use for the extra line inputs? Can save clutter and re plugging.
Do NOT, I beg you go dirt cheap and buy the single mic input 502, you WILL regret the lack and I am also not sure the 502 has full 48V phantom power?
Forget all about "impedances" and matching. High Z inputs really don't care what the source Z is.
Mike Stranks wrote:One of THESE will see you right...
Sorry Mike! Did you pounce while I was typing? In any case I stand by my point that it is false economy to buy a single mic input ANYTHING!
Dave.
I tend to agree Dave
The 802 served me well without a glitch - unlike some of it's bigger brethren... but I was going for the cheapest possible that would meet the O/P's need...
I never thought I would ever need to buy a Behringer anything but this does make sense. I have a number of mic pres with +4 outputs but from what I gather from the responses is that I am looking for consumer level output, right? As an aside, about 18 years ago I purchased the single channel Earthworks mic pre which was well priced and super bang for the buck. (They discontinued the unit shortly after that but I take your point about single channels)
Thanks for your guidance - I am going through a phase of bringing fun back into music production/playing (I forgot how important it is!) and your suggestions will help my explorations! Time to get weird!!
ManFromGlass wrote:I never thought I would ever need to buy a Behringer anything but this does make sense. I have a number of mic pres with +4 outputs but from what I gather from the responses is that I am looking for consumer level output, right? As an aside, about 18 years ago I purchased the single channel Earthworks mic pre which was well priced and super bang for the buck. (They discontinued the unit shortly after that but I take your point about single channels)
Thanks for your guidance - I am going through a phase of bringing fun back into music production/playing (I forgot how important it is!) and your suggestions will help my explorations! Time to get weird!!
Eric
If the idea of buying Behringer offends you(and I can QUITE see how it could!) there are plenty of alternatives. Yamaha, Mackie, Phonic... But if you already have mic preamps all you need is an output attenuator. 12dB or so will put +4dBu OP level down to domestic neg ten but you don't need such precision, a 10k log pot in a tin with jacks in and out can be built in an evening.
ManFromGlass wrote: I have a number of mic pres with +4 outputs but from what I gather from the responses is that I am looking for consumer level output, right?
From your description, it sounds like it expects 'instrument level' which I'd suggest is more typically around -20dBu. Consumer line level is quite a lot hotter at -8dBu (-10dBV). The guitar processor's input level control mint be able to cope with a hot signal... But it might not!
If you already have a suitable mic preamp (or other balanced line level source) the issue is really simply one of converting its nominal +4dBu balanced output down to unbalanced instrument level, ideally with a ground-free (floating output) to avoid ground loop problems.
That's a classic application for a 're-amper', and the best value for money option is probably Orchid Electronics offering:
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
Yes, it might do, although it will only work with dynamic mics (or battery-powered capacitor and electret mics) of course, and the guitar processor might not have sufficient gain available if the mic is insensitive or the source is quiet.
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
Yes, it might do, although it will only work with dynamic mics (or battery-powered capacitor and electret mics) of course, and the guitar processor might not have sufficient gain available if the mic is insensitive or the source is quiet.
Handy but as Hugh says, you probably won't get enough signal. I used a couple to feed dynamics mics into the unbalanced mic inputs of a Teac A3440 and I only got just enough gain for acoustic guitar.
Rather than buying all kinds of new boxes, the first thing I would try is to use an XLR to jack cable and simply plug your mic into the effects box. While the impedances and sensitivities may appear wrong on paper, it often works.
I realise this is an old post - but I have a related query.
I have a 1x12 speaker
in front of which is a dynamic mic
It leads to (the mic input of) a TC G-Natural (pictured)
The stereo outputs of the TC go to of stereo full range speakers on either side of my 1x12
Best reverb ever.
But the TC is bulky - and I'd like to replace it with a normal size pedal.
But most pedals come with jack inputs (instrument level).
So you'd need a compact mic preamp to amplify the dynamic mic up to a suitable level for the reverb pedal. I've used the ART tube studio v3 for this kind of thing with success, but there are others.
To be honest, though, I'd stick with the TC unit if it works. An all-in-one with a single power feed has got to be easier than two units, two power feeds (or dodgy batteries), extra cables, etc etc.
An alternative to the TC could something like the A&H CQ12 mixer which has very good built-in effects and reverbs as well as excellent mic preamps, and a small footprint — but no smaller than the TC.
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
So an inline low-Z to hi-Z impedance converter between the mic and pedal should work.
A neodymium magnet mic will give a bit more output (3-4dB more) than a 'standard' mic e.g. use a Beta 57a rather than an SM57. This may be important if you haven't got a lot of make-up gain available on your full range stereo speakers.
I tried a Thomann Devine mixer, just a small 6 input job, in preference to the Behringer, and found it superior in some ways, much better build quality, sturdier knobs, just chunkier, with similar sound quality.
Hugh Robjohns wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:15 pmthe issue is really simply one of converting its nominal +4dBu balanced output down to unbalanced instrument level...
That's a classic application for a 're-amper', and the best value for money option is probably Orchid Electronics offering:
I read the OP's post and Hugh's response and realised that it's 10 years old, but co-incidentally I just purchased an Orchid Electronics Reamper for this exact use-case.
Mic preamp >> Orchid Reamper >> Guitar Pedal
It's an excellent device and like all Orchid gear (e.g. their super little active DI boxes) still very affordable at only £66 + VAT.
The only thing that may have changed in ten years is where to buy one - it used to be you could order direct from Orchid (or their shopfront on eBay) but it seems that all sales for Orchid Electronics are now covered by a company called Showbitz.
Prices have risen to reflect a retail margin since Showbitz are the outlet for Orchid Electronics standard products. I don't know if John Godsland still makes custom orders as I haven't had the need for anything for quite a while but he used to make special leads and custom variations of his standard products for very reasonable prices. He also offered PSU's for vintage mixers and other similar stuff.
I remember about 10 years ago I needed a passive balanced line level signal to run into a balanced mic level signal. On advice from this forum, I emailed John Godsland, and then two weeks later I had a custom DI box at an extremely reasonable price. I've been using it for remote recordings for the last 10 years, and it's still going strong. It would be very unfortunate to lose such a wonderful resource.
If he's retired, I hope he is having a wonderful time.
John is AFIAK still operating Orchid Electronics* he has just handed off the marketing/retail part of the business to Showbitz at least as far as his standard products are concerned. Presumably he has chosen to do so to reduce his overall workload.
* The products are available and his website was last updated yesterday.
so any suggestions how to achieve the following is appreciated:
