How to properly record a pure line level signal from a Focusrite Scarlett Solo from active/passive bass for a further pro reamp?

[CaptainBeyond]

Hi

I have a rookie questions so at the very beginning I would like to ask for your patience and simplicity in explaining.

I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen Interface from which I would like to record a pure line, distortion free signal into the audio editing software on my computer that further I would like to professionally reamp in a studio.

The mentioned audio interface got two inputs, first is a front one with a „instrument” button switch and the other one is a xlr mic input in the back of the device. Both are regulated by the knobs increasing the signal gain. The second one got additional switches „48 v” and „air” that Im not quite sure what stand for.

Do I understand correctly that both record a line level, high quality and distortion free signal which I want to record? Both signals will be balanced, stable and equally adequate quality without hum and distortion and ready to be pro reamped without any additional tasks? These are just a different inputs for giving the different possibilites giving the same perceived result effect in the end? First one is for the guitars and the second one for a microphone, keybords etc?

Or should I go all the way the balanced, xlr input and thereby, if I understand correctly, plug my guitar to the DI box via jack cable and then plug the di box to the interface back input via the xlr? Or would it be an unnecessary hassle, and wasting money on additional device (DI box)?

To be honest when I plug the bass guitar to the first input and press the „instr” button the signal quality is perfectly clean to my ears all the time.

In both circumstances which cable should I use to plug the instrument to the devices? I own a standard instrument jack cable that I plug to the amp and for now just plugged it to Scarlett. Is that ok? Cant honestly understand the difference between TRS and TS cable and not sure which one I have atm and which should I have. Does it really matter? I own a Monster Prolink bass cable. Which one is this?

And the last question, how should I approach to record a pure line signal for a reamp from a bass guitar with an active electronic and pickups? Should I just turn all the tone control knobs off and make the signal fully flat? At the moment I use a fully passive bass but planning to switch in the future.



Best wishes

 

[DVDdoug]

Plug it into the front and set to "instrument". That's a regular guitar input. (Guitar pickups are unbalanced high impedance.) Your regular guitar plug is TS (2-contacts =Tip/Sleeve).

A TRS connector has 3-conductors like a headphone plug. With a headphone it's left, right, and ground. It can also be used for balanced connections (like an XLR cable which has 3 connections).

48V phantom power is for studio condenser microphones and it should only be available at the XLR input. "Air" is a slight high frequency boost. It should have little or no effect on bass. I think it's supposed to be for vocals.

You don't need a DI box. A DI box can be used if you don't have an instrument input.

bass guitar with an active electronic and pickups? Should I just turn all the tone control knobs off and make the signal fully flat? At the moment I use a fully passive bass but planning to switch in the future.

Whatever sounds best to you! Don't overdrive the interface into clipping (distortion) unless you like the effect. I believe the Solo has LEDs that turn red for when it's clipping. And I'm not sure if the knobs go down to zero so you MIGHT have to turn down the volume on the bass to prevent clipping.

 

[goat76]

The problem with the instrument input in many cheaper audio interfaces is the lack of headroom, making them sensitive to clipping. For that reason, I have had better results using external DI boxes, 100% dedicated to that specific task.

There are quality differences between DI boxes, which can be seen when looking at the recorded waveform. You want the recording to be as clean as possible, with preserved dynamics.

The best DI box I have used is Rupert Neve Designs RNDI, but it's quite expensive and you will probably be fine with something cheaper if you are not satisfied with the built-in instrument input in your audio interface.