Nika, a "mic vs. line" pre-amp question.

[d-dmusic]

How much are line level signals affected by the quality of the pre-amp.
For example, is it "worth it" to upgrade from a Mackie 1604VLZ to a 1604VLZ Pro when most of what I do is MIDI (line level stuff)?

[d-dmusic]

I forgot one other thing that I wanted to add to that question.
I read elsewhere that even with the new 1604VLZ mic-pre's, that the original 8BUS Mackies were still "better" sounding because of the "discreet" mic-pre's vs. the circuit board style of mic-pre's found in the compact VLZ series.
Opinions ?

[Nika]

David,

Good questions.

The VLZpro's are using Mackie's new XDR preamps, but from my understanding these are only mic preamps and the line level inputs are unaffected. The line level signal definitely goes through some analog circuitry, but I'm pretty sure that none of this on a Mackie board is gain staging, and thus, op-amps wouldn't be needed.

Therefore, if line level is all you're using, you should be find with the original VLZ model. Mine, after all, isn't even that. My only line mixer is an original MS1202.



I hope this helps!
Nika.

[Ted]

I may be wrong, but as I understand it the line inputs on all of Mackie's mixers go through the microphone preamps as well. That's why people recommend running into the insert points on the compact mixers, or into the tape returns on the 8-bus consoles...to avoid any extra coloration the preamps may impart.

Anyone know for sure?

-Ted

[TeeCee]

What I can tell you from having owned both of these versions of Mackie's 1604 (not as much as you might hope):

1) Running my AKG D3700 (dynamic) through on of the mic pre-amps gives it much more volume than is possible using an XLR to TRS adapter and going into one of the line inputs.

2) The VLZ Pro has more gain range than the VLZ. At least 5dB higher from memory, don't remember how much lower. By higher, the text on the mixer shows it as being capable of taking up to a -45dB signal. IF you look at your VLZ, it should max out at -40dB. The hottest signal it can accomodate to bring to what they must expect to be the proper level appears to be +15dB, the lowest setting on the gain knob.

I would expect that means that both the mic and line preamps have been changed. If they are the same preamp, they have different entry points into the preamp circuit (and Mackie's simplefied schematic that I believe they include with the mixer may show this). Or you could call them and ask.

[Ted]

Running my AKG D3700 (dynamic) through on of the mic pre-amps gives it much more volume than is possible using an XLR to TRS adapter and going into one of the line inputs.

Right, that's what you'd expect. I didn't state it in much detail (mainly because I don't remember the specifics), but as I said, I believe that the line inputs go through the same preamp that microphones do; the line inputs are just attenuated so they can take a hotter signal (and likewise wouldn't be a good match for your microphone).

-Ted

[treidm]

just bumping this to top.