[Scott Dorsey]

Sunflowermanuk wrote:
As long as the preamp isn't clipping, you might want to use it to get
whatever sound it imparts to the mic (putting a pad between the mic and
the preamp will change the loading of the preamp on the mic, which may
change the sound), and put the attenuator between the preamp output and
A/D converter input.

I considered that putting a pad after the mic pre - would these little
mic attenuators also work in that conif (on line-level signals)? If so
I guess I could make some custom leads up and run them off the
patchbay.

Yes. The attenuators will work just fine on line signals unless you
absolutely need to be running 600 ohm constant power somewhere.

You used to be able to buy attenuating patch cords too (which WERE
designed for 600 ohm constant power) but I haven't seen them for a
while. Be easy to make your own, though.

Even so, if you don't know how much headroom you have left, you might
as well just attenuate before the preamp.

FWIW I'm using an RME ADI8-Pro (into a Digi ADAT Bridge/Mix system).
It has switchable +4/-10/low gain inputs, but even on the latter it's
still too hot..

Yes, to be honest the older ADI-8 sounds better with the gain set to
the high or medium setting. I don't know why.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."