How to use an external pre with the mbox mini?!?!

[StinkyStan]

Hi,

I've recently acquired a great pre amp and I was wondering how I can connect it to my mbox mini. Is there any way to do this?

The pre amp has a male XLR output. I bought a few cables (XLR to TRS, XLR to 1/4" ) neither of these seem to work. I can't get any signal into Pro Tools whatsoever.

Here is the chain: Tube Mic -> Pre Amp -> Mbox.

Please help. I'm not sure what to do!

[JMS40]

You need an XLR to 1/4 TRS balanced cable.
Plug the TRS out from the pre into the "Line/DI Input 1" of the Mini.
Press in the Mic/Di switch... leave the Pad and 48V out.

Make sure your audio track in Pro Tools is set for Input 1.
Set your level on the external pre.

[StinkyStan]

Originally Posted by JMS40

You need an XLR to 1/4 TRS balanced cable.
Plug the TRS out from the pre into the "Line/DI Input 1" of the Mini.
Press in the Mic/Di switch... leave the Pad and 48V out.

Make sure your audio track in Pro Tools is set for Input 1.
Set your level on the external pre.

Thanks for the reply. I did everything you suggested and unfortunately, nothing has changed. When I arm the track to record, I see a static level of maybe a few dB, but I get no vocals. It's really strange.

I'm using a Rode NTK Tube mic. The XLR output of the NTK's power supply is going into my Brent Averill 1272. The XLR output (male) of the 1272 is then going to the (female) XLR to TRS and then into Line/DI Input 1 of the mbox mini. Mic/Di is engaged and Pad and 48V is not.

Am I missing anything?

[JMS40]

Any way you can verify you're getting signal with the mic pre combination prior to the Mbox?
That's a mighty impressive front end for an Mbox, by the way. :)

[StinkyStan]

Originally Posted by JMS40

Any way you can verify you're getting signal with the mic pre combination prior to the Mbox?
That's a mighty impressive front end for an Mbox, by the way. :)

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way for me to verify weather I'm getting any signal or not prior to the mbox. The 1272 is pretty simple. There's no signal level LEDs or anything like that. The only way for me to monitor would be in Pro Tools and well... it's not working.

[TOM@METRO]

Send it to the line in of your stereo system. You need to rig a phono plug but that should be no big deal. You really do need to be sure the preamp is working.

[StinkyStan]

bump. Any other suggestions?

[jmitchell1532]

I have the Mbox mini and a Presonus Tube Pre. I use an XLR from the Mike to the pre-amp's input, the a 1/4-XLR TRS from the Pre's out into the MBox's input. Everything works fine and it's a relatively cheap way to have 2 mic inputs for stereo miking whilst using the mini.

[northridgedave]

Here's what I would do.

Open ProTools. Create an audio track. Put it in record mode.

1. Verify that the mbox is operational and receiving by sending it any line level signal (a keyboard, the output of an ipod, an old boom box - you get the idea).

2. Verify that the xlr cord(s) is functional by using it to plug in any non "48 volt" working dynamic mike like a Shure 57 or 58 into the mbox.

3. Reconnect the NTK mike to the pre-amp and the pre-amp to the mbox. Power up everything (with the 48 volt switch on) and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Check the body of the mike with your hand to verify that is warm to the touch (as in the tube is heating up).

If you have a failure at any step, you have isolated the problem component.

Good luck,
Dave