Need Help, Balenced DI Out not working?

[wtg203]

Hi all. I'm looking to do some cheap, basic, bass only recording. I have a Workingman's 4004 pre-amp, and I just purchased an XLR to 1/4 inch cable. My intention is to plug into my computer's line in or microphone jack (I'm using a fairly cheap soundcard, so thats all I have to work with). I've been plugging the XLR end of the cable into a port on my head marked "Output: Balenced DI", then the 1/4 inch end into an 1/8 inch converter, and into my mic/line in ports, but neither of those two is working. When I open up audaucity/audition I get no signal at all. I believe this method SHOULD work, as I did the exact same thing at a friends house, and it worked nicely. Can anyone shed some light on why this isnt working, or recomend a new method? Thanks.

-Will G.

 

[niftydog]

There are many variables in this scenario.

1. the DI output is not working or not "switched on"
2. The cables is broken or not wired correctly
3. it's output is too low to drive the PCs inputs properly
4. the PC isn't configured correctly
5. Audacity/Audition isn't configured correctly

First I'd be checking the PCs recording volume control panel and making sure that "line in" and "mic in" aren't muted or otherwise disabled.

Then, I'd be working through the config of the software to make sure it's looking at the right audio device and the signals are routed correctly.

Still no joy, then I'd be looking at the amp to make sure it's set up properly. Got anything else to plug the DI output into just to make sure it's working?

 

[wtg203]

Thanks for your help. Im certain that the cables are working, and the DI has no on/off switch. Is it possible that one of the two fuses on the back of my preamp corresponds to the DI and is blown? The preamp functions normally when connected to a speaker. My best guess is that its either software configuration or that the output cant drive the pc's input.

 

[anderbass]

Your XLR to 1/4", and your 1/4 to 1/8 adapter, both need to be stereo.(tip-ring-sleeve).
I'm guessing yours are mono connectors, and this is causing your problem.

 

[niftydog]

Not necessarily, anderbass. If you connect a balanced output to a stereo input you get an in-phase signal on the left channel and an out-of-phase signal on the right channel. Not particularly usefull, but it should work. If you use mono cables to do this, all you do is short out the right channel to ground.

wtg203, the fuses are very unlikely to be the cause. You should make sure the software end is correct. This means checking the Sounds And Audio Devices control panel, the recording volume control panel and the settings in Audition/Audacity.

 

[wtg203]

Thanks for all your imput. I did some further investigating:

I tried plugging the 1/4 end coming out of the DI into the imput of an old karaoke machine we had lying around to see if there was even a signal coming out. There wasnt. This led me to believe that something was wrong with my DI out. However, I then tried a mic with a 1/4 inch end through the 1/8 inch adapter into the computer, and STILL got no signal! (I've checked all the software and sound options, everything is opened and up and SHOULD be letting a signal through). I'm really at a loss here. It seems like the DI isnt working, AND the adapter configuration isnt working!

 

[bishopthomas]

Assuming everything is working correctly then here's how you need to set it up in order to record to Audition:

XLR out of the preamp to 1/4"
1/4" to 1/8" into your soundcard
In Audition click Options, Device Order
Click the Recording tab and make sure you have an input source selected (right hand side)
Click Use in EV to enable that input source in Edit View
You should be good to go.

If you have any problems with this method then I would look at that XLR-1/4" cable first. Is it a stereo 1/4" connector or mono? If stereo then pin two should be hot and you may need to short pin 1 to pin 3.

 

[wtg203]

I'm really not sure what the problem is. Thats the exact setup I've been using, still no signal. I've checked all the 'stupid' things, everything is "on/plugged in". All of my cables and adapters are mono. Srsly, its starting to bug me :/.


UPDATE: If anyone comes across this thread via searching and has a similar problem, the issue was my 1/4'' to 1/8'' adapter. My adapter was STEREO to MONO. I went back to radioshack and purchased a MONO to MONO and now my setup works fine. Thanks again to everyone who helped.