Taylor ES 1 into XLR on 11R?

[rob wots]

does anyone know if it's ok to plug an expression system 1 into the mic XLR input?

[Stig Eliassen]

No. To use the mic input of the 11R, run the signal through a DI first.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/...standingES.pdf

[rob wots]

Originally Posted by PT Lover

No. To use the mic input of the 11R, run the signal through a DI first.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/...standingES.pdf

ok, thanks very much for your help

[rob wots]

i hate to be a pain about this question but tbh i'm still confused. i'd read understanding the expression system several times before i posted the question, it's partly that that has me confused.

The ES also is designed to be “Pro Ready,”
which means it can be plugged directly into a “bal
-
anced line level input” such as an input on a mixer
using a TRS to XLR cable. The result is a higher signal
level, which translates into the ability to drive long
cable distances without any frequency loss, due to the
low impedance of the system. With this application,
you can plug directly into a stage snake or recording/
mixing console without the use of a direct box.

isn't a stage snake going into a mic input?

i also googled before i asked here and to add to the confusion i found this video of bob taylor plugging an ES equipped taylor into the mic input of a mackie mixer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEVJLNB1ZNw

if i use a TRS to XLR cable is it ok to plug it into the mic input? could it damage my 11R in any way?

[nst7]

It sounds like you can use it either way. I don't think it will damage anything to go into the mic input. If you're not sure, then make sure the volume knob on the Taylor is turned all the way down, as well as the gain on the 11R XLR input. Then gradually adjust both of them up. You may find a happy medium using both.

However, it would be easier to just use the guitar input on the Eleven Rack, since that is in fact a DI, and that's what it's made for.

Better yet, skip plugging it in at all, and use a microphone to record your Taylor. The sound you get will be far superior to any DI'd sound.

[Craig F]

OK, the guys in the video is an idiot the first knob is active gain control (a little knowledge is dangerous thing, I so want to give them 5 across the eyes)

the balanced line (TRS to XLR) is a mic level, low impedance signal not a line level, low impedance signal (50mV vs. 1V)
the TS to TS unbalanced is an instrument level, high impedance signal (~500mV)
low impedance can drive long runs, high impedance should only be used on short runs

so yes you can use the Mic 1 XLR input and set the Gain Control the way the idiots set the "trim control"

all that said, nst7 is correct a mic will sound better than a pickup 99.999999% of the time on an acoustic

[rob wots]

Originally Posted by nst7

It sounds like you can use it either way. I don't think it will damage anything to go into the mic input. If you're not sure, then make sure the volume knob on the Taylor is turned all the way down, as well as the gain on the 11R XLR input. Then gradually adjust both of them up. You may find a happy medium using both.

However, it would be easier to just use the guitar input on the Eleven Rack, since that is in fact a DI, and that's what it's made for.

Better yet, skip plugging it in at all, and use a microphone to record your Taylor. The sound you get will be far superior to any DI'd sound.

thank you very much for your reply. yes ok i'll make sure everything is turned down.

i will be using a mic and pre as well but i want to record the ES to blend in (if needed) i have tried a regular cable into the guitar input but from what i read you get a better sound from the ES using the TRS to XLR.

i'll give it a try later and do a comparison. thanks again :)

[rob wots]

Originally Posted by Craig F

OK, the guys in the video is an idiot the first knob is active gain control (a little knowledge is dangerous thing, I so want to give them 5 across the eyes)

the balanced line (TRS to XLR) is a mic level, low impedance signal not a line level, low impedance signal (50mV vs. 1V)
the TS to TS unbalanced is an instrument level, high impedance signal (~500mV)
low impedance can drive long runs, high impedance should only be used on short runs

so yes you can use the Mic 1 XLR input and set the Gain Control the way the idiots set the "trim control"

all that said, nst7 is correct a mic will sound better than a pickup 99.999999% of the time on an acoustic

ok, thanks for explaining. it's the whole line level/mic level low impedance thing that i find a bit confusing, i'm not as well up on the terminology as i should be.

i will be using a mic but i'd like to see if i can get a better sound for blending in with the main mic sound using my TRS/XLR cable rather than plugging into the guitar input with a regular cable. (my acoustic recordings lack clarity)

thank you very much for your reply. now i know it won't do any damage i'm off to experiment :)

[Craig F]

Do Not turn the 48V phantom power on
that will most likely do damage

[rob wots]

Originally Posted by Craig F

Do Not turn the 48V phantom power on
that will most likely do damage

thanks for the reminder, i made sure that was switched to off.

i did a few test recordings today, pad switched to off too. i got a decent recording level averaging around -18 -20 with my guitar vol on 3-ish and using no gain on the eleven rack. the bad news is it sounds no better than plugging into the guitar input using a regular guitar cable, in fact i prefer the guitar input sound..it was worth a try though :)

thanks again everyone for the help and have a good weekend.