Hey-
When you guys record with a Sansamp RBI how do you record it?

I can think of a few ways...

1.) 1/4" Sansamp out --> high quality DI --> mic pre?

2.) Sansamp XLR Direct Output w/ -20dB pad --> high quality DI --> mic pre?

3.) Sansamp XLR Direct Output w/o pad (i.e. Line Level) straight to tape/digital?

Thanks!
cjac9

Hey-
When you guys record with a Sansamp RBI how do you record it?

I can think of a few ways...

1.) 1/4" Sansamp out --> high quality DI --> mic pre?




the 1/4" out is already pretty low impedance, not as low as the xlr but still low enough to NOT need a DI box unless you were really needing to use that output and wanted it balanced, so you should be able to go direct to pre without a DI. however, I wouldn't use this output, I think its designed to go to an amp as an 'effected' version of the signal.



2.) Sansamp XLR Direct Output w/ -20dB pad --> high quality DI --> mic pre?



by padding the signal you do bring it closer to mic level, but it is still very loud, and as stated before your impedance is pretty low already on this output so there is no need to use a DI (remember, DI's just change the impedance and balance the signal, that is all! theres nothing to say you need one to go into a preamp!). This output is also balanced already, of course!

-20Db is a pretty strong signal to send into a pre amp, shouldn't matter though, as long as you don't crank anything.



3.) Sansamp XLR Direct Output w/o pad (i.e. Line Level) straight to tape/digital?



This is what I would use, unless you have a really really nice preamp you will not gain anything by padding it down and then bringing it up again with your pre. The line out signal is the correct impedance, and a robust, balanced signal. silly thing is a lot of line inputs are 1/4" so you may have to get a converter fem.XLR>1/4"TRS and make sure you line in's are balanced. they should be...

The sans amp RBI is a good box because it accepts a wide range of signals and gives out a good range of signals, it does away with the need of a DI box and a mic pre while still keeping the signal sounding pretty good when going back to an amp.

It also does quite well at accepting line level signals (padded down a bit) on its input for reamping, and sounds good without a re-amping box or passive DI in reverse. very flexible and sounds great!

thanks Charling, very informative!