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Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line inp)

Postby mbb100 » 31 Mar 2017, 06:39

I've been reading through many different posts which seem to give different answers, but here's my particular setup and my modest needs....

What is the best line routing for my Stage 2 in the home studio environment? - I also want to run my microphone into my audio usb at the same time.

1) If I use a Scarlett 6i6 or a UR242, should I run unbalanced Stage outputs 1&2 to the mic pre's inputs (usually in the front of the audio usb device) to give the sound some boost, or the line inputs in the rear with a line level shifter like ebteck? Running the Nord directly into the rear line inputs gives me low volume levels that even when turned up sound hollow. You can see the difference on the db meter in software, but more importantly the quality of the sound suffers)

2) or should I get a small mixing board like a Mackie 402VLZ4 to put in between the Nord and the audio USB rear line inputs?

3) or do I want something like a Scarlett 18i6 so I can have enough mic pre's for my Stage and my mic?


Would any of these setups be more useful outside the home studio at a minor gig as well?

thanks in advance. - M
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Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line inp)


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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby maxpiano » 31 Mar 2017, 08:15

I use a Motu Ultralite and I use Line inputs for the Nord Stage but (yes) I need to raise the gain around +9dB to get a good level; if the 6i6 and UR242 do not allow you to increse the gain of line inputs then probably a good small mixer is the easiest solution (unless... you want a reason for upgrading your audio interface ;-) )
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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby KyleM » 01 Apr 2017, 03:40

mbb100 wrote:I've been reading through many different posts which seem to give different answers, but here's my particular setup and my modest needs....

What is the best line routing for my Stage 2 in the home studio environment? - I also want to run my microphone into my audio usb at the same time.

1) If I use a Scarlett 6i6 or a UR242, should I run unbalanced Stage outputs 1&2 to the mic pre's inputs (usually in the front of the audio usb device) to give the sound some boost, or the line inputs in the rear with a line level shifter like ebteck? Running the Nord directly into the rear line inputs gives me low volume levels that even when turned up sound hollow. You can see the difference on the db meter in software, but more importantly the quality of the sound suffers)

2) or should I get a small mixing board like a Mackie 402VLZ4 to put in between the Nord and the audio USB rear line inputs?

3) or do I want something like a Scarlett 18i6 so I can have enough mic pre's for my Stage and my mic?


Would any of these setups be more useful outside the home studio at a minor gig as well?

thanks in advance. - M



What's up man? I have a 6i6 as well and i use line inputs 3&4 and initially had the same problem however while using the Scarlett Mix Control software I change the setting for those inputs from "Low Gain" to "High Gain" and it solved the problem. if you elect to get a small table top mixer I would recommend the Alto ZMX122FX it has 2 stereo inputs and built in FX and it's just been really great. I've had mine 2 years with zero problems.
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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby mbb100 » 01 Apr 2017, 04:32

KyleM wrote:

What's up man? I have a 6i6 as well and i use line inputs 3&4 and initially had the same problem however while using the Scarlett Mix Control software I change the setting for those inputs from "Low Gain" to "High Gain" and it solved the problem. if you elect to get a small table top mixer I would recommend the Alto ZMX122FX it has 2 stereo inputs and built in FX and it's just been really great. I've had mine 2 years with zero problems.



I had tried that with an older 8i6 and Mix Control but the high gain setting seemed to introduce a lot of hiss, and my headphones and monitors did not sound as good as direct from the Stage.
On my 6i6, I had used Focusrite control, and using mic level instead of line, also did not sound as good and had slight hiss. The sound is just 'emptier.'

I have had the best sounding results using the mic pre inputs 1&2.... which made me think that pre amps, either in a mixer, or upsizing to an 18i6 for 4 mic pre's, would be what I need.

What am I doing different from every other Stage owner who has a small home studio?
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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby KyleM » 01 Apr 2017, 06:38

Honestly now that you mention it... the 3/4 inputs aren't as warm as the mic pre's. I think I might go with something like the Audient interfaces next time. My brother has one and it's great. To counter the headphone jack Colin problem I put a small $30 headphone amp in the path. So it comes of if the jack and into the amp. Or sometimes I use the alto and come outt of the focusrite into the alto and have my headphones hooked up to that mixer then it's super loud. Focusrite must not be great for keyboards. He 7i6 pisses me off because of the spdif inputs which are useless. I might try to find an adapter I can conver those to RCa or something l.

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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby mbb100 » 01 Apr 2017, 20:41

KyleM wrote:Honestly now that you mention it... the 3/4 inputs aren't as warm as the mic pre's. I think I might go with something like the Audient interfaces next time. My brother has one and it's great. To counter the headphone jack Colin problem I put a small $30 headphone amp in the path. So it comes of if the jack and into the amp. Or sometimes I use the alto and come outt of the focusrite into the alto and have my headphones hooked up to that mixer then it's super loud. Focusrite must not be great for keyboards. He 7i6 pisses me off because of the spdif inputs which are useless. I might try to find an adapter I can conver those to RCa or something l.



It's not just a Scarlett issue. I have the exact same sound quality issues (line 3/4) vs (mic pre's 1/2) on my Steinberg UR242... it's not as warm and bassey.... so I thought it must be a live level issue... I know it's not a stereo/phase cancellation effect. i wish I were sophisticated enough to be able to generate spectrograms...

Can any of you sound pro's pinpoint what is going wrong? I bought an Ebtech LLS-2 Line Level Shifter to convert the Stage approx -10db unbalanced to +4db balanced and with balanced cables ran that to the line input 3/4, and it seems to help, but only if the UR242 is set to think that it's getting a -10db signal (when it's set to receive a +4db signal the level is as low as ever.... then it sounds the same as the pre's 1&2 with zero gain - which makes me thing the (3/4) UR242 is amping it somehow on this pathway. Still... pre's 1&2 with a little gain sounds better.

I don't know what the proper next move is.... just get a something with pre amps... and try to return the Line Level shifter?
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Re: Confused about Stage and audio usb inputs (pre's v line

Postby mbb100 » 01 Apr 2017, 20:46

....... I should add that none of it sounds as vibrant as the Stage going directly to my monitors (M-audio Bx5's)
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