• Registered: 2012-05-09
  • Posts: 11

Topic: Babyface, bypass preamp

I have read that the on RME Babyface the internal preamps cannot be bypassed - they can only be set to "unity gain" (gain at 0) which the RME forum admins (here) claim do not make any negative change to the sound.


On the despriction page of the babyface under Technical Specifications I can see:

Input AD: 2 x XLR (2xMic/Line). servo-balanced.


so does the RME Babyface have line inputs? If yes doesn't this means that plugin an external mic
preamp in the line inputs would automatically bypass the preamps?

  • Knut
  • Knut
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 1,618

Re: Babyface, bypass preamp

The Babyface provides line level inputs, which work also as Mic level inputs - thanks to the integrated preamps. Input 2 can also work alternatively as Hi-Z instrument input. This is nothing special, every manufacturer do it this way.

Mic, Line and Instrument Level – What’s the Difference?
Wikipedia: Line Level

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2010-09-10
  • Posts: 60

Re: Babyface, bypass preamp

Since many preamps nowadays are stepped versions that change values depending on the used gain range combined mic/line preamps can be built that have the same quality as if there was a separate mic and line input.

I don't know exactly if it is the same on RME devices, but I suppose it is like that.