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Old 03-17-2017, 02:54 PM   #1
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Default Looking for optimal way to DI guitar via Emu 1212m

Hobbyist. Currently going through a 90s Boss GT3 into my Emu 1212m. It works but I need to use a limiter in Patchmix, and I think I've overloaded the GT3 a couple of times, as I've heard some nasty distortion here and there. I'm thinking a DI box might be simpler and therefore better.

Concerns with the GT3:
possible coloration of tone. Might be overworrying
extra gain stages and settings in the GT3

Concerns with a DI box
can spend anywhere from $20 to $200
might not be necessary or do anything differently, so any price is money wasted

I could go buy a $20 Behringer, but maybe a cheap box wouldn't be any better? I dunno. Sorry about the lack of clarity. I'm not sure what I want it to do, so I'm not sure if I want it.

What does a DI box do well? What doesn't it do?
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Old 03-17-2017, 03:40 PM   #2
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Is the output of the GT3 line level?

Does the output control on the back help?

It looks like the 1212m only has line level inputs, so you will need a mic pre.

Are you trying to Make the GT3 sound better (not peak), or not use it at all?

The limiters in patchmix are digital and work after the A/D conversion, so if the inputs are already clipping the converters it will not help eliminate the distortion. You will need to reduce the analog input level going into the 1212m to elimitate the clipping.
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Old 03-17-2017, 04:11 PM   #3
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Thank you, that's helpful. That makes me think that a good thing to do would be to set levels in the GT3 to never clip going into the Emu. yes?
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Old 03-22-2017, 04:44 PM   #4
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Thank you, that's helpful. That makes me think that a good thing to do would be to set levels in the GT3 to never clip going into the Emu. yes?
Absolutely, nothing you can do down the line from that can really fix it, and it would be nasty digital clipping. Each interface is different, and some might be more forgiving then others, but that is the general guideline.
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Old 03-22-2017, 04:52 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zappsunzorn View Post
Is the output of the GT3 line level?

Does the output control on the back help?

It looks like the 1212m only has line level inputs, so you will need a mic pre.
It has a low impedance output comparatively and more than enough output to drive a line input (obviously) and a preamp is going in the wrong direction here. Adjust the output so it doesn't clip which should be possible since all the way down should be enough.

The only thing a DI is really going to do here is cause insertion loss which is a weird way to reduce level. What the OP needs to do first is properly set the output type in settings of which there are several. See the manual here.... https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/GT-3_OM.pdf
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Old 03-22-2017, 04:57 PM   #6
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Not wanting to rock the boat but why will he need a mic pre?
GT3 out will be line level and EMU input will be line level.
Mic pre is for mics!
I think you must mean a hi z input for DI?

I have an 1820m and if you can figure out the EMU routing matrix you're a better man than me!
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