expanding PJM I/O with more preamps/inputs

[carterobrien]

hi all, am I correct that I can link an external preamp like the Profire 2626 or Octane 8 to add 8 more XLR inputs to my PJM I/O for live recording?

I've been happy with the PJM for the most part, but it does seem to have a problem capturing a rich drum kit sound before the levels go screaming, and in any case I'd like to throw a few more mics on the kit...

[paulmitch]

You can definitely expand. I've looked into it, but haven't done it yet. The 2626 looked like a viable option, but you might not need to go that far. You won't be using it as an audio interface, you'll just be using it as a stand-alone mic pre with ADAT optical out.

I've also noticed recording drums with the PMIO, the signal is hot in a hurry. Especially with some heavy-handed drummers. I've just employed in-line pads.

[carterobrien]

thanks! would you mind telling me where I could find these pads you're talking about? I'm a guitar player/percussionist, so this is all pretty new to me (my drummer seems to have been without a volume knob!).

[sortasalient]

Originally Posted by carterobrien

thanks! would you mind telling me where I could find these pads you're talking about? I'm a guitar player/percussionist, so this is all pretty new to me (my drummer seems to have been without a volume knob!).

If you get a Profire 2626 the pads will be built in. Each of the individual gain pots has a 20 db pad on it. If you pull the knob out, you engage the pad. If you want inline pads, there's plenty of them out there. Companies like Hosa, ProCo, and Shure make em. I have some Hosa pads that are switchable between 20, 30, and 40 db. That comes in handy if you aren't sure how much padding you need. I use a Yamaha 01 V board to record drums and just light pipe it in to my Project Mix. It has pads on all it's individual inputs, and I like the Yamaha pre's pretty well. I'm assuming the mics you'll be using to record drums don't have pads built into them. Some do. I find on really hot mics that they need to be padded 30 db rather than 20 for recording drums. Your results may vary

[paulmitch]

I used the shure in-line attenuator,
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/305003.html

But as stated above, you've got lots of options.

[carterobrien]

thanks guys, I actually have a friend coming over tonight to help me get the Octane 8 pre-amp talking properly to the rest of the rig, it's got to be a massive improvement!