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API TranZformer Bass Preamp

#124
carsonchilders said:
I run a sansamp in front of my API for a little distortion/speaker simulation. Deadly combo. API does not sound good clipped really.
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I'm using my tone hammer before the API.

The signal us quite hot, sounds great run into my amp or into straight into my power amp, the XLR signal is too hot run into my focurite i/o and into computer. How is the API run to FOH or into the ccomputer, do I need to run the API into a separate DI, then send to FOH or to the focurite i/o?
 
#125
Janforth said:
I'm using my tone hammer before the API.

The signal us quite hot, sounds great run into my amp or into straight into my power amp, the XLR signal is too hot run into my focurite i/o and into computer. How is the API run to FOH or into the ccomputer, do I need to run the API into a separate DI, then send to FOH or to the focurite i/o?
Click to expand...
AFAIK the XLR signal of the API has line level, not mic-level as most DIs. So a line in channel on a mixer or interface should work.
 
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#126
Janforth said:
I'm using my tone hammer before the API.

The signal us quite hot, sounds great run into my amp or into straight into my power amp, the XLR signal is too hot run into my focurite i/o and into computer. How is the API run to FOH or into the ccomputer, do I need to run the API into a separate DI, then send to FOH or to the focurite i/o?
Click to expand...

If it is gained correctly on your input gain, it should work perfect with your gear. Use the input gain and bring it to where the hardest you'd ever play never clips. And, in my experience, bring the knob down a little more than you'd think. Now that it isn't clipping, tell the engineer to gain you at 0. You should be gained hot but perfectly and should not clip if you have done the input gain correctly. If the engineer is uncomfortable with how hot it is (understandable) tell them to put a pad on it.

If gained right your interface should work great...
 
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#128
Janforth said:
Is it okay to run the API output to my RNDI then to FOH or focurite?
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Neve says yes, but I would think about it twice. Why don't you say the FOH crew that they should use a line instead of a mic input? Same for the Focusrite, why don't you try the line level input?
I don't own the API, just the RNDI and love it.

In instrument mode, the RNDI’s high input headroom of +21.5dBU is capable of handling not only instruments, but professional, line level sources like interfaces, CD players and drum machines without a pad. This allows the RNDI to serve as a way to "Re-Preamp" any previously recorded track using your interface and a desired pre-amp. To do this, simply connect a channel output of the interface to the input of the RNDI and connect the RNDI’s output to the preamp and engage 48V. By "Re-Preamping" you can apply the tone of another preamp to the source and more accurately automate or control the drive level on the preamp.
Click to expand...
RNDI: Rupert Neve DI
 
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#129
DirkP said:
Neve says yes, but I would think about it twice. Why don't you say the FOH crew that they should use a line instead of a mic input? Same for the Focusrite, why don't you try the line level input?
I don't own the API, just the RNDI and love it.


RNDI: Rupert Neve DI
Click to expand...
I love the RNDI also. Going to a line level input into FOH should be no problem, but the XLR out of the API into the focurite was still too hot at its fixed level, I have to try the API 1/4 out to line level in of the focurite and lower the output level on the API and see if that works.
 
#132
So after really spending time with it, it's getting kind of annoying to not be able to mess with the output gain of the XLR when the output is SO hot. I cannot plug it into my Universal Audio Apollo without it overloading just barely. Putting a pad on it usually works well, but it sucks to have zero headroom left on my track when I'm at a studio session.
 
#133
carsonchilders said:
So after really spending time with it, it's getting kind of annoying to not be able to mess with the output gain of the XLR when the output is SO hot. I cannot plug it into my Universal Audio Apollo without it overloading just barely. Putting a pad on it usually works well, but it sucks to have zero headroom left on my track when I'm at a studio session.
Click to expand...

I recently got a XLR female (output from API) to TRS (input to my Focusrite interface), I can't adjust the API output, however the Focusrite line level input works great.
 
#137
Janforth said:
The signal is too hot, is there another way to do it? Plus I want to use it live, I assume I'd be able to use XLR to XLR
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I use mine for mainly live settings.. XLR out straight to power amp. Or in my case straight to a powered 2 way speaker. I take the TS out to a DI and to the mixer for FOH. I always get great feedback on my tone when using it this way.
IMG_1052a.jpg

IMG_1054a.jpg
 
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#140
carsonchilders said:
I still just give the FOH an XLR out, and tell him to pad it (or warn him about how hot it is and apologize). It's great from there. I have yet to have an instance where I could not use it live.
Click to expand...

Me either. I haven't had an issue. It's only been used a few times but it's been great so far.
 

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