Audio 101: The differences between Mic and Line Level Signals
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- In the audio world, we deal with all kind of different signal levels coming from a wide variety of equipment. These signals can be harmful to the equipment if wired incorrectly.
Knowing what signal levels come from certain pieces of gear will keep your equipment safe from incorrect signals and lengthen the life of that equipment.
We'll talk about four major signal levels in this video; Mic Level, Instrument Level, Line Level, and Speaker Level.
Have a question about Presonus Studio One? Ask in the comments and I'll make your question into a video for everyone else to learn from!
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#miclevel #linelevel #audiosignals
dude... I have only listened to 48 seconds of your video so far and you already have the best answers going on out of all videos that I found. Thank you so much for helping us beginners!
Thanks for demystifying this! Such a clear explanation, saved me from googling many sites for an explanation.
Glad it was helpful!
very informative and crystal clear info. thanks a lot.
Damn, it’s rare to find someone that is good at breaking down a subject in a ELI5 manner. Very good explanation! Thank you for this!
Simple, but well explained Tutorial Tim.Thank you for your time.
You are welcome!
Thanks for clarification!
VERY well made, thanks brother! peace
I have watched a lot of videos trying to find this information. THANK YOU for explaining this!!!
You are so welcome!
Best explanation I have come across about level signals. Thanks.
You are welcome!
Fantastic video. I often will do voice recording with a mic into something like a Clarett and take the analog out into my zoom recorder, so I am in essence sending my zoom a line level signal and it's an Audio Interface of sorts, same with when I record a mix out of my mixer on my Zoom recorder. So I agree with you on being careful because it's a lot of signal going into another preamp because the input is line level, but my question to you is whether this is a potential problem or not the best way to do it? I feel like if I do it while monitoring my signals that I end up with super low noise because bother devices are low noise and I use low amplification on the Clarett and the Zoom F4 or F6. Am I missing something here?
Excellent presentation of the material!
Glad you liked it!
Solid vid hope all is well
Nice explained :)
Microphones are basically a little speaker in reverse vibrations (voice) hitting the spk cone will make a tinny voltage on the speaker terminals (very tinny) line levels have circuitry where the voltage is higher - in other words mics have no circuitry and line level does
Great stuff man.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thumbs up! Is line level 0dBVU on a VU meter?
Hey Tim could you advise a safe way to plug synths and drum machines into a XLR input?
I would add a DI box inline to change the line level input to a mic level input. Here's my video about DI boxes! ruclips.net/video/-q6sJttWdLA/видео.html
When I plug in my guitar to my interface and use the Instrument level button instead of line, it’s much much louder, actually too loud and noisy to use, even when the gain is at 0.
Hi man.how can I lower an headphone output to safe level of mic input?
I would like to do live streaming on facebook while biking and playing music on background using another phone or mp3 player.
Thanks.
Question: is there a way to reduce a line level out (mixer) to a mic level in (cheep video camera)? Even at the line levels lowest setting it creates hiss and no room for adjustment.
You need attenuator cable from mixer to your camera.
What is I plug an instrument level to an mic or the other way around, what will happen?
So if you are wanting to record guitar direct from the guitars Amplifier to capture that sound, would you go out from the line out on the amp direct to the line level input on the Daw,( not the instrument inputs ) is that correct ?and with out a DI box. Thanks Tim
If that were the case, I would put a microphone in front of the guitar amp and record that. But, in your question, you could come out of the line out from the amp and go into a line input of an interface, yes.
@@TimTalksAudio Thank you Tim i understand this better now, i thought that was the case, but needed just to clear it with you.
Thanks for the clear explanation. One thing still is confusing me though: how do you know if any given device or equipment is instrument or line level? like keyboards, synths and especially guitar pedals.
Guitar pedals are designed to go infront of an amp (or through the FX loop) and built to maintain instrument level signals, but pedals can also handle line level. Typically, any other output from a source (keyboard, outboard gear, etc etc) will be line level.
@@TimTalksAudio thanks for clarifying!
I have a question when recording from a source how is it that people are able to get a recording from a speaker output? Plugging in directly to the speaker / monitor …Do you use line or Mic on your recording device?
Depending on a number of different factors, if you are coming out of a powered mixer, you could use the monitor output, but ideally you would want a line level output from the device you are trying to record.
Please what level should i use for recording a sound from a mixing console into the audio interface using 1/4 Jack or XLR cable which is connected to the pc via a usb? The audio interface has line level input and mic level input and instrument level input. so now from the mixing console to the audio interface input levels which one will be approriate ? Thank you.
From a mixer to a usb interface, you’ll want line level.
@@TimTalksAudio thank you
Do active pickups on a guitar count as a preamp? Meaning, can I plug an active guitar directly into a line-input of an audio interface?
Active pickups are not the same as a pre-amp. You can plug your guitar into the line in of your interface, but you're better off using a Hi-Z input if you have that available, or a DI box into the mic input of your interface.
Hi Tim,
If I am taking the audio out from a mixer (aux out) and putting that into a different mixer, do I need to run it through a DI first?
You shouldn’t. The output of mixer one is line level, so just pop that into line level ins on mixer two and you should be good to go!
@@TimTalksAudio Stop with the bullshit. The information you're giving people is absolutely ridiculous. The person asking you the question knows a lot more than you do. What you are telling him is OK to do, could damage his equipment. The primary function of a DI box is not to change levels, its used to convert balanced signals to single ended operation. The 2 modes of operation are not compatible. If one of the components that he wants to connect is running in balanced mode, and the other is single ended, the way most cables are wired will create a short circuit the moment you make the connection. You are literally taking 2 + and - wires and combining them while there is power running through them.
It might also be a good idea for you to learn what a preamp is. Line level signals don't need a preamp? What exactly do you think a mixing board is? What's even more amazing is you can pull the information I'm giving you right out of a textbook. You're in no position to give anyone advice.
Do a signal to noise ratio
I've added this to my list of videos to make, so be on the look out for it in the next few weeks!
Does a guitar amp head convert an instrument-level signal into a speaker signal for the cabinet?
In very simple terms, yes. Of course it’s doing a TON more, but the end result is a speaker level output.
Hey man, talk about de essers..you need one
Hey man, thanks for the feedback. I'll take it into consideration.
@@TimTalksAudioit really wasn't bad at all. Don't listen to this guy.
Hi Tim I have just bought a new Shure M57 to record a bass amp and cannot get a acceptable signal, I have to turn up the gain knob to full max to even get a peep out of the mic this is a focusrite Clarret, usb (no pad) using XLR cable input set to instrument does this require a pre amp booster like a cloudlifter,what do you suggest is the problem? regards Stephen
Hello Stephen. Genereally speaking, dynamic mics MIGHT need a lot of pre amp gain to get a strong enough signal if the source is "too low". First thing to try would be to turn the bass amp louder to push more air. If you can't turn the amp louder for whatever reason, then yes, I would suggest getting something like the cloudlifter to help bump that input gain up. Also, if you're not doing so already, try recording a DI signal as well with your bass amp. That opens you up for a TON of creative flexibility with the bass!
@@TimTalksAudio Thankyou Tim yes I can turn up the amp push more air good thinking I noticed on one of your earlier shows you had 3 bass tracks blended in your composition, would be nice to see what tones ,gain etc you blended and why, and how they sat in the mix after plug ins as they sounded great.
It would be helpful if you included some graphic illustrations.
This is/was an older video, but as I make more informative videos like this, I'll add in some graphics to help! Thanks for the suggestion!
hi mic, im trying to use behringer model d in studio one but does not seem to work can you please help??? please
Here's somethings to check. You can connect the unit via USB to your machine for sending and receiving MIDI signals. To record the audio from the unit, use a 1/4" cable from the unit's "HIGH" output to a line level input of your audio interface. It's a mono source so you'll only need one cable and to make a mono channel.
Tim. It's Tim
Hi,
(1) Is it okay to connect the output from a 50-watt guitar amplifier headphone port to a line-in input port on a mixer?
(2) Also, is it okay to connect the output from a 50-watt guitar amplifier headphone port to a line-in input port on a PC sound card?
When I did (2) the PC sound card quite literally got fried up.
But for (1), the mixer didn't get burnt up and everything functioned normally.
What's the difference actually between the two scenarios?
Afterall both had the same signal from the headphones output port going into a line-level input port.
1) You could, headphone outputs are typically stereo and line inputs are mono, so you'll have that draw back.
2) same answer as before. also, you'll most likely have less control of the input gain for the PC sound card. at least with the interface/mixer, you can add a pad or adjust the input gain.
The difference is just as i stated, the input card of your PC doesn't have gain control, so they pre-set it to a level, and if your device outputs more then that, you'll distort the input.
@@TimTalksAudio Thanks for your reply and the clear explanation. Very much appreciated.
“You do not want to take a line level signal and plug it into a pre-amp. You could do a lot of damage.”
If I use my line out of one amp (to use its sound) and connect it to the return of the effects loop of another to use its power amp...
Is the “return” amp 2 line level or pre-amp level?
The reason I ask this is because I know the conventional way is to go from “send” of amp 1 into “return” of amp 2... but I found it sounded better if I used “line out” from my first amp instead of using “send.”
I just want to know if I’m risking damaging my equipment if I continue doing this so I can stop.
The FX send on an amp would be instrument level. The differences between voltage on instrument vs line should be close enough that you wouldn't cause damage. Also, the return on the 2nd amp, may or may not have a return preamp, so check the manual of the second amp, but it should be a point in the signal path after the preamp, but before the power amp.
I wish to reduce the intensity of the output signal from My Analog Audio Mixer... externally, without scaling down the volume control of Mixer. Is it possible? Because the output would be fed to an android mobile phone’s headphone socket via a specially made TRRS Plug for FB Live Singing with music. At present, the output signal is overloading the Mobile phone and distortion is happening. In order to reduce distortion, I use an amplified Monitor Speaker at the output of Mixer to Monitor my singing and keep the volume of Mixer output to a bare minimum. Please help 🙏🙏
Look for what’s called an “in line pad”. A pad is a device that can reduce the level of a signal. Typically pad reduce signals by -10 or -20db. Have the output of your mixer plug into the input of the pad and the output of the pad plugged into your mobile. That should help avoid overpricing the input of your mobile.
Something like this... amzn.to/3esS87T
Can I run a instrument lead from the line out from the back of my 100w Ashton head to the Hi z input on my powered Mackie mixer?
What happens if I plug condenser mic directly into house speakers
Nothing, A condenser mic needs 48v Phantom power and a PA will not supply that. If you have a mixer in line that can supply the 48v, then you can use it as a microphone through the PA, but be careful. Condenser mics are more sensitive and need more work to not cause feedback in a PA system. It's certainly possible to do, but for small PA's it's harder to clean up the signal with out completely chopping up the frequency spectrum to use it without feedback.
So i have a camera with two XLR inputs AND a Mic input (3.5mm jack). The controls on the camera has a switch for MIC or LINE. When i plug somerthing into my camera via the Mic input (3.5mm) is it best to use the LINE Level option?
And If i use any of the XLR inputs on my camera. is it best to use the "MIC Level" option?
One time at a church event. I plugged into their soundboard. they had an XLR out that i could plug into my camera. So i plugged it in and even though their levels were good on the board, and my camera gain levels were good.. I was getting distorted sound. Could it be that the XLR input i was taking into my camera was set a the LINE level? and it needed to be on MIC? or.. maybe it was on MIC and it needed to be on LINE..... oh man im so lost. ahhaha. Appreciate the video! I definitely understand more than i did before lol.
Not all cameras are the same, but I think for your camera, it has two input options and the mic/line selector is for BOTH input styles. The answer comes from the device you are plugging into the input. Of course, if it's a microphone, then MIC level, but in your example of the XLR from the mixer, that was a LINE level signal and the XLR input should have been set to line to accommodate! Good luck on future shoots!
@@TimTalksAudio oh man thank you so much for your reply!! I will definitely be sure to check that next time. I honestly didn’t think it did anything/ignored those controls.. the issues I’ve been having makes sense now. Cheers.
Your explanation of dBV vers dBu is wrong. The only difference is the reference level, it is nothing to do with "fluctuations", dBs are still the same power ratio whatever the reference. Professional line level is not +4dBu, that is only the external calibration level that corresponds to 0VU on a VU meter on a mixing console or tape recorder. The actual signal levels can vary up to the power supply voltage, e.g. with +/-15V supplies the maximum input and output levels before clipping would be about +21dBu. On digital systems the reference is 0dBFS i.e. relative to Full Scale which is where the ADCs clip and that varies, but is often around +22dBu and a "0VU" level is artificially set to be between -10dBFS and -20dBFS according to how much headroom is needed. Consumer interfaces running on a 5V psu will have a lower 0dBFS, read the specs carefully for maximum input level.
Talking head syndrom.
This guy is absolutely clueless. He doesn't even know the basics. Almost every word that comes out of his mouth is wrong.
This is a mess. You are not knowledgeable enough to discuss this.