amp or DI for recording with Lexicon Alpha -> DAW?

[swartzfeger]

Hi all,

Recording Noob here. I've been doing research, and this end of my bass knowledge is definitely my achilles heel.

Ok, so a few months back I start writing seriously, bought Logic, having fun, acquiring gear, etc. I bought a Lexicon Alpha as an interface because of the XLR. I'm an idiot, but i assumed that it sounds better and, when I'm ready for it, it will be something I would want.

So, with my Geddy Jazz (passive) and Lexicon Alpha I was getting low recording levels. So I picked up a Behringer BDI21 with an XLR out and got moderately better quality running that through to the Lexicon. Had a busy schedule for a few months, recording and its attendant issues went on the back burner.

Fast forward to today -- I have a new Bongo bass (active) coming tomorrow and I really want to nip this recording quality thing in the bud.

I currently do not have an amp. For recording purposes, would I be better off (initially, at least) buying a bass amp with an XLR out or getting a DI?

The cheapest amp I'm finding with an XLR out is a Fender Rumble 150, $350 -- strictly from a quality standpoint (not considering actually micing the cab) -- would I be better off spending that $350 on a quality bass DI?

Another consideration would be getting something like the Apogee Duet to replace the lexicon alpha.

I'm just kinda confused right now... I have weak links in a recording chain and not sure what I should spend my $300-$500 on -- an amp with XLR out, a DI, or an interface like the Apogee Duet with a high quality pre.

Input (no pun intended!) or advice appreciated!

 

[DuraMorte]

You should be fine plugging the new active bass straight into the Lexicon. There's a gain knob on the inputs for a reason.
Another thing to keep in mind is, your signal should be coming in at around -20 to -18dB; don't crank the gain so that you're up in the -3 to -6dB territory. That will overload the analog front-end of the input, and cause muddy, grungy distorted sound.

 

[swartzfeger]

You should be fine plugging the new active bass straight into the Lexicon. There's a gain knob on the inputs for a reason.
Another thing to keep in mind is, your signal should be coming in at around -20 to -18dB; don't crank the gain so that you're up in the -3 to -6dB territory. That will overload the analog front-end of the input, and cause muddy, grungy distorted sound.

Thanks, DM. I really need to get familiar with fundamental recording techniques because I would've assumed I could've taken it to -1 with no issues.

Are you recommending -20 to -18 because the Lexicon (or any other entry level interface) have front ends that can be easily overloaded? Or conversely, would a higher quality interface give me headroom to push it harder?

 

[dumant]

The -20/-18 dB rule applies to any audio interface as well. When recording at 24 bits, and even with an entry-level interface, the usable dynamic range is much larger than what you need. As DuraMorte says, avoiding peaks above -6dBFS is a way to avoid transient clipping at the AD conversion stage, and will not cost you anything in terms of sound quality.