Any Precautions Hardware-wise about USB Audio Interfaces I Should Know about?

[RedPerkele]

I've been using a simple line-in cable to connect my bass and guitar to the computer for a long time, and though I'm an amateur, I decided to invest in a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB audio interface, looking to improve both functionality and audio quality.

My intended use is: guitar/bass > Zoom G1/B1 Four > Focusrite > Audacity

However, I was wondering: is it possible (desirable? above all, safe?) to add my Orange Crush 25 before the Focusrite (with or without the Zoom), using the headphones output?

Am I right to assume USB audio interfaces are precisely about converting an analog signal to digital, and thus simply clipping if one went wild with the amp? Or is there something I need to know to protect both the Focusrite and the computer (and, it goes without saying, my bass & amp, though I can't imagine what could go wrong there )?

 

[Basslice]

Cool. I for one have never been an advocate of recording an headphone output. You can do it, but I think (1) a direct recording of the bass, or (2) using an amp with a DI out, or (3) miking the amp into the interface, are much better ways to go. A lot of headphone-out amps carry their own baggage and aren't intended to output high quality signal.

 

[Tosh]

....
Am I right to assume USB audio interfaces are precisely about converting an analog signal to digital, and thus simply clipping if one went wild with the amp?

Not really. Though that is the main purpose for an audio interface, there's often more going on inside the box. It depends on your interface. It's possible to have distortion that is not from clipping, though you will get clipping if you overdrive the inputs.

Or is there something I need to know to protect both the Focusrite and the computer (and, it goes without saying, my bass & amp, though I can't imagine what could go wrong there )?

Yes - be aware of the impedance(s) at the input stage. INSTRUMENT impedance is very high, compared to LINE or MICROPHONE. Your bass or guitar output is INST level. The input on your Zoom pedal and the Orange Crush amp are INST level. The output of the Zoom is LINE, and the output of the amp is PHONE (yet another impedance level, lower than LINE or INST). The input impedances on the Focusrite are either MIC (if you use the XLR connector) or INST (if you use the TRS/TS 1/4" connector). It doesn't have a LINE in at all. The best (cleanest) way to use the Focusrite is Bass -> Solo INST input -> DAW, and skip the other devices completely. If you feel it's necessary to use the Zoom pedal in the chain, I'd recommend a DI box on the output from the Zoom, which converts the impedance to MIC level, which is then connected to the XLR (MIC) input of the Focusrite. This will help keep your signal clean and ensure your levels are all in the correct range.

if you want to hear your playing (or playback the recording) through the amp, then go from the LINE outputs of the Solo to the AUX input of the Orange Crush.

 

[RedPerkele]

Thanks for all the useful information.

One clarification: if I use the Zoom without a DI box (so, bass/guit > Zoom > Solo INST input), is it about quality or equipment safety? In other words, will I simply have to be more careful with volumes/settings to get a good sound, or could I actually damage something?

 

[Basslice]

Thanks for all the useful information.

One clarification: if I use the Zoom without a DI box (so, bass/guit > Zoom > Solo INST input), is it about quality or equipment safety? In other words, will I simply have to be more careful with volumes/settings to get a good sound, or could I actually damage something?

I think it highly unlikely you could damage anything in that scenario. But you will need to figure out your levels so you don't clip. My advice: always run cold - especially if you are recording 24-bit. You can always boost your gain or volume later and the noise floor is so low at 24-bit you don't lose by running cold.

 

[brianrost]

is it possible (desirable? above all, safe?) to add my Orange Crush 25 before the Focusrite (with or without the Zoom), using the headphones output?

Yes, but start with volume low (like OFF) on the amp and watch the clip lights on the Focusrite while slowly increasing the level. I'm not sure it will add anything useful, but it won't blow anything up as long as you set the amp and interface levels properly.

 

[brianrost]

One clarification: if I use the Zoom without a DI box (so, bass/guit > Zoom > Solo INST input), is it about quality or equipment safety? In other words, will I simply have to be more careful with volumes/settings to get a good sound, or could I actually damage something?

You don't need a DI box with the Focusrite, period.

If you have some incredible sounding DI that costs ten times what the Focusrite does, sure see if it enhances the sound. But you don't need one.

 

[RedPerkele]

It's all clear now, thanks everyone!

 

[DirtDog]

Not really. Though that is the main purpose for an audio interface, there's often more going on inside the box. It depends on your interface. It's possible to have distortion that is not from clipping, though you will get clipping if you overdrive the inputs.



Yes - be aware of the impedance(s) at the input stage. INSTRUMENT impedance is very high, compared to LINE or MICROPHONE. Your bass or guitar output is INST level. The input on your Zoom pedal and the Orange Crush amp are INST level. The output of the Zoom is LINE, and the output of the amp is PHONE (yet another impedance level, lower than LINE or INST). The input impedances on the Focusrite are either MIC (if you use the XLR connector) or INST (if you use the TRS/TS 1/4" connector). It doesn't have a LINE in at all. The best (cleanest) way to use the Focusrite is Bass -> Solo INST input -> DAW, and skip the other devices completely. If you feel it's necessary to use the Zoom pedal in the chain, I'd recommend a DI box on the output from the Zoom, which converts the impedance to MIC level, which is then connected to the XLR (MIC) input of the Focusrite. This will help keep your signal clean and ensure your levels are all in the correct range.

if you want to hear your playing (or playback the recording) through the amp, then go from the LINE outputs of the Solo to the AUX input of the Orange Crush.

The Focusrite Scarlett 3rd gen inputs are MIC, LINE or INST. MIC/LINE switching happens automatically inside the box. There’s a toggle switch in the pan for LINE/INST.

Any headphone out is LINE level but keep in mind that there’s a small amplifier in the circuit that drives the headphones.

The Orange Crush headphone out has cab simulation built in so it may sound decent.

Just be gentle when sending the signal from the headphone out to the Focusrite. Start with the Focusrite input gain low and raise accordingly. You’ll probably find you won’t need much gain before clipping.

Depending on your DAW and depending on if you get into using amp sim plug ins, you may find yourself bypassing the amp altogether and plugging your bass right I to the Focusrite.