Laptop and Active Bass

[DONZI97]

I think this is the best place for this question, Mods move me if needed.


Anyway I have a macbook that I practice and record sometimes through. I have been using a passive P and plugging right into the the audio input of the Mac with a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter. I use that because I get zero latency, and sounds good, someday I will get some sort of interface/mixer. So yesterday I got a new Stingray and am wondering if having a hotter signal due to the 9v preamp will screw anything up?

[bassmasta94]

I did this same thing with my Ibanez SR500 active bass, and it didnt seem to do anything to it. That i have noticed

[pnut166]

I plugged a Jazz Deluxe into a computer this way. No problems

[atheos]

Line inputs are high impedance. Basses and guitars are high impedance, thus there's no problem. AFAIK active instruments are the closest to line level signal so they should work the best. Mics and mic inputs in mixing consoles are low impedance and that's why we need DI boxes.

[DONZI97]

Thanks!

[Nick Kay]

Originally Posted by atheos

Line inputs are high impedance. Basses and guitars are high impedance, thus there's no problem. AFAIK active instruments are the closest to line level signal so they should work the best. Mics and mic inputs in mixing consoles are low impedance and that's why we need DI boxes.

Not quite, dude. Line input: usually around 10k to 20k ohms. Instrument input: 500k to 1M ohms. Microphone input: 300 to 2k ohms. There's exceptions to those guidelines, but that's the most common range you'll find.

Admittedly, an active bass usually handles lower loads just fine, but it's misleading to suggest that the difference between line inputs and instrument inputs can just be swept under the rug.

[m_bisson]

What software do you use to record?

[DONZI97]

Garageband for now, just to fool around and send bass parts to bandmates, nothing serious.