vox-tapeecho-preamp. whats missing?

[winterheadphone]

I'm trying to record my voice through a 201 and then into my API 3124 HiZ input in real time. it's sounding really noisy. I've researched it a bunch and a lot of people talk about re-amp boxes. Would that help me or is it just a DI that I need?

Sorry, I know this has been discussed but I couldn't find the exact scenario anywhere.

[sergiodeblanc]

Hows about using an insert?

[jmoose]

I assume the 201 you mention is the space echo, not a Beyer 201 mic? I've never plugged a mic right in the thing... can't imagine it'd be all that great sounding and might even be high impedance! Dunno. I'd plug the mic into the API and then feed the space echo line input via an aux send or Y-split and record the dry & echo signals to different tracks.

[winterheadphone]

Singing into the RE201 sound amazing!! You should try it. The problem is that when I go out of the 201 into the HiZ input on the 3124 there is a gnarly buzz. I'm sure it's an impedance issue. Just not exactly sure what tool I need to rectify it. Anyone?

[jmoose]

If its "buzzing" then its not impedance... more likely electrical ground. Signs of impedance issues would be hiss, white noise and possibly at worst case a loss of level and some unpleasing distortion.

RE201 in working order should have no problems taking and feeding a +4dB line level signal from anywhere to anything. Buzz? Could be a bad cable, bad power, bad routing and/or gain structure on your end... but most likely is ground or some other malfunction.

Bottom line is you should be able to make it work without a DI box or reamp box. Is all your recording gear on the same AC circuit?

[winterheadphone]

Hey jmoose. thanks for the reply. It's more like the white noise that you described. Maybe with some buzzing too. The thing operates normal when plugged into an amp. I tried plugging all of the stuff into the same circuit and it didn't change anything. Any other thoughts?

[riotofred]

If your mic has an XLR connector you will need to use a DI box to drop the ground on one of the pins (buzzing) and correctly match the imp. Use a decent DI and then use a 1/4 inch cable back into the mic or inst level inputs on the tape echo.

If your mic has a 1/4 connector then you might have a better match into the mic input on the tape echo...although depending on the imp of the mic you might have a really hard time getting a decent level without maxing out the pre on the re-201.

Hope this helps.

[winterheadphone]

Does it make sense that the buzzing happens even when I leave all the inputs empty?

[Blix]

Placing the 201 after the mic preamp would be a much better solution I'd think.

[jmoose]

Originally Posted by winterheadphone

Does it make sense that the buzzing happens even when I leave all the inputs empty?

Yeah kinda. One of the shops I frequent has a 201 that's pretty damn quiet but its also been gone through & serviced top to bottom. Still I'd plug the mic into that very nice and expensive API preamp and then feed the space echo via the "PA" input which is the line level in... signal flow 101!!

[winterheadphone]

Thanks for you help guys. I figured out last night (after buying DI) that it was the instrument channel making all the noise. Even though I wasn't using it it was still very much effecting the signal. Thing is, I had somebody put the Billy Zoom's Jfet mod in. He must have done something to cause this extra noise. Time to find someone who can service these in my new city.

Thanks again.