It might be that your Zoom is outputting line level and your amp is expecting instrument level. Putting a DI between them should resolve that.
Behringer Ultra-DI DI400P Professional High-Performance Passive DI-Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KUA8G6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SpdyFbY6HZ8EK
Awesome, thank you for the advice. What's the difference between the Palmer PDI09 and a cheap $20 Behringer?
Edit: looked up the difference between an active an passive DI. The guitarists definitely will want an active DI if we go down that route instead of investing in more mics.
The original 2i2 didn't have enough headroom to cope with high-output pickups. I believe that the second generation has a much better hi-Z input. If you do need a DI box, you can buy a basic unit for about $20.
I've already got Logic, which as I understand is a great option/competitor to Reaper, though some of my windows-using friends swear by it too!
I also already have an input/DI for sound box, sorry if I made that unclear in what I called it. I have the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, which connects via USB. What I was wondering was if per my concerns about a clean signal through that from my guitar, I could help things by buying a product like this one to change my guitar signal to a mic-level XLR connection before routing it to the Scarlett box.
I can say i recommend the Focusrite 2i2, as that is what i have, and use. It works dandy, and does everything you need it to. On the note of preventing clipping, you can get a DI Box which will allow you to pad the signal, without going to the next step up. Generally DI boxes seem to be recommended, as they help your interface recieve a more controllable signal from your guitar. Glen Fricker has a video on why a DI Box is a good idea, and how your situation may not need it. one. For the record, since you are using EMGs, I personally would opt to have the DI box.
Regarding the the 4i4, i would recommmend it if your keyboard has a MIDI interface, as you should be able to hook it straight to the MIDI in of the 4i4, give you more options when working with the keyboard, but if saving a buck is the goal, it is not necessary.
Hi, Ive been wanting to play rocksmith, and was wondering if this setup would allow mic audio into my pc.
-Grounded di box that I will plug my guitar into
-Female xlr to 3.5mm jack which I plan on feeding from di box into line in
-Unaltered signal from di box into amp
I already asked in the Rocksmith sub but no response, so I'm wondering if general guitar cable knowledge would confirm if I would get audio into my pc or not.
Is this the only thing that you use for you setup, or do you also have an audio interface/DAC ?
Hello, sorry to pick your brain again but I'm still having some issue here. My current set up is as follows: Roland Fantom X8 keyboard -> 1/4 inch cable (3ft) -> Behringer Passive DI Box -> XLR to TRRS Smartphone Adapter -> HTC Desire Eye . I confirmed that the XLR to TRRS adapter follows the CTIA standard which I understand should work with the HTC (Android) phone. I tried simply recording video with the phone's built in camera app, however the phone is only picking up ambient noise using its built in mic. I tried recording audio only using the phone's "voice recorder" tool, with the same result. When I test record my voice using a headset with in-line mic, I have no problems. So my guess is that there is still some issue with the XLR to TRRS adapter. Is there something that I'm missing?
DI Box might help they can get rid of that 60Hz hum and can be had for like 20$ on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KUA8G6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2LJO9DVFFV357&coliid=I3COH6EA7UDDW4
A standard instrument cable is a quarter inch Tip-Sleeve Connection. It is an unbalanced cable. Which is fine for use with instruments obviously, but can lead to electrical interference, ground loops, and loss of signal over long lengths.
When you use a DI you want to use a balanced cable, basically a cable that is has a ground connection. The two most common kinds of balanced cables are XLR, and quarter inch TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve). TRS cables look almost identical to instrument cables.
This explains the difference: http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/whats-the-difference-between-ts-and-trs-cables/
This is probably way more in depth than you'll ever need, but it is a good reference: http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/cable-buying-guide/
Edit: To Clarify, when I say DI I mean using a DI box like this http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-DI400P-BEHRINGER-ULTRA-DI/dp/B000KUA8G6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417904828&sr=8-2&keywords=DI+box
If you are talking about just plugging your directly into an interface, an instrument cable will work just fine.
Basically you will need a couple of things:
All told you can probably spend less than $300 and have a solid setup for most things you would do.