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mixer input question


IA76

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Hi

 

A couple of newbie questions:-

 

Should there be any difference in quality between a mic being plugged in to the XLR input & the line input?

 

Is it ok to have a mic connected to the XLR input & the line input on the same channel at the same time?

 

Thanks

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Is it ok to have a mic connected to the XLR input & the line input on the same channel at the same time?

 

... no that won't work properly either. You can connect them, but you will need to select by switch which to use.

 

I have come across some 'budget' mixer where the mic and line inputs are both active at the same time. The line input is simply reduced in level and is then mixed in with the mic input with no input switching. However, it's still not a good idea to use both as the unbalanced nature of most budget line sources will mess up the mic's balanced input plus you have no separate control over the two levels.

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Always plug mics in via the XLR, never jacks. While there are some bits of kit (particularly some cheaper preamps and some super-budget mixers) when this can be done, it's still bad practice. All good mixers will have low impedance (microphone) level inputs on the XLRs, and high impedance (CD player, keyboard etc...) level inputs on the jacks.

 

Further to this, many microphones require phantom power to work properly, which is only available on the XLR connections, NOT the jacks.

 

Very few desks have 'switchable' inputs until you get past a certain price point. Maybe you just need a bigger mixer?

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The best way to do that would be to buy a small mixer to mix the two mics to one channel.......but you might be better looking into buying a mixer with more channels (obviously you need to be careful not to send phantom power to the second desk).
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NO. To start with, with a dynamic mic, there isn't an issue with plugging into the line socket, just be aware it has higher input impedance so you will need more gain to get the same level as that of the corresponding XLR. It isn't good practise but it works, there is no difference in quality within itself, however remember you will be driving the preamp harder with the line than the mic socket if the given output level of your source device remains the same so there may be a lack of headroom on the preamp. Cheaper preamps may also colour the sound when driven harder.

 

As for 2 mics intput 1 XLR socket. Again, NO. This in many respects is worse than the other way of doing things. You have 2 low impedance devices (2 mics) driving 1 high impedance device (it's a low impedance input but its still much higher than the output impedance of the mics). Current takes the easiest route and as such you'll get 1 mic driving the other mic. This CAN cause alot of problems. Some people have been known to get away with this, but its often hit and miss and can colour the sound considerably. It's therefore not ideal.

 

I'd suggest a mixing console with the correct number of inputs.

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