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Question about USB-connected and -powered preamps
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... like the M-Audio or the ProTools Mbox 2: does anyone know if these
can be used just as straight-through preamps? My band is considering
getting one of these for recording, where it would be used with a
computer. But I'm wondering whether, if the unit were supplied just with
power through the USB port, it could also be used as a portable
preamp/mixer, using the line output into a PA amp. Do they need to be
under software control to work, or do they default to a
"straight-through" mode with no USB connection?
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The older model would, but dunno about the current one.
Did you check the documentation? PDF downloadable.
Note that the only way of powering it is via the USB port.
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I could try looking at the doc, but I doubt it would cover such a
non-standard use of the unit.
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The doc for the old one explicitly discusses your "passthrough"
type of use. Haven't looked at the new one, though.
I own one, but it is lent to a friend, so I can't just try it.
I'll leave it to you to download and read the doc if this
is important enough to you.
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It *looks* as if it would function as a simple amplifier with no
interface connection, according to the manual I downloaded, but this is
by no means certain. I think I ought to call them first and make sure
before we try this. (I'd just rig up a 5 volt power supply to the USB
power and ground connections.)
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I know it gets its power via USB. My brilliant idea was to bring along a
little power supply that would plug into the USB connector and power the
unit. (The plan is to use it as an auxiliary mixer with a small PA.)
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You could try. But considering the price of a little Behringer
mixer.......
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Well, so tell me about these mixers. Keep in mind that the reason we
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Not much to tell. Behringer make a very affordable rage of small
mixers. Have a look.
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want this device is to be able to do digital recording, including
overdubbing, punching-in, etc., so it has to be supported by some kind
of digital recording software, which is why we got the M-Audio box in
the first place. The portable, straight-through use as a mixer is just a
secondary usage.
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