• Registered: 2018-01-01
  • Posts: 9

Topic: Fireface 802 preamps vs line ins

Hello community and happy new year!

I have a question that have might been discussed a lot but would like to have your opinion.

Basically, I have the stereo outs of my big mixer into the fireface.

Was wondering where is better to connect it, into the line ins on the back, or in the preamps in the front?

Do I gain anything by having them into the preamps?

I would like as clean signal as possible.

Thanks

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,893

Re: Fireface 802 preamps vs line ins

See handbook chapter 8.6, 19.1 and 34.1.

I would take 2 of the "servo balanced" analog inputs AN 1-8 on the back because 

1. This is what these analog inputs are optimized for. Only there you can change the input sensitivity of the channel (Lo Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV) to assure that the highest SNR will be reached (additionally a digital gain of 0-12 dB can be applied in steps of 0.5 dB).

2. SNR unweighted is 1dB better on the Analog Ins 1-8:
Line IN 1-8: Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 113 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA
Mic In 9-12: Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 112 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA

3. by this you have still Mic / Instr / Line inputs free in the front

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • Registered: 2018-01-01
  • Posts: 9

Re: Fireface 802 preamps vs line ins

Thanks a lot!