5.8 Stereo Input and Insert Cables/Connections
A 1/4” TRS plug can alternately carry an unbalanced stereo audio signal over a
two-conductor cable with a shield, which applies to “Aux In” and the “Insert”
TRS jacks on the Omni. A TRS plug on one end with two mono TS plugs on the
other is in fact a stereo cable, and is sometimes referred to as an “insert cable.”
Keep in mind that the Aux Ins are stereo inputs. A stereo 1/4” TRS plug to two
1/4” mono TS plugs will work for connecting most MIDI sound modules into
the Omni Aux Ins, but you may have to purchase a cable for your particular
needs. This same cable will work for most outboard gear used with the Omni
“Inserts.” See the section, “10.4“ for more on this.
5.9 Line Levels vs. Mic/Instr Levels
Microphones and guitar pickups typically emit a low signal level, requiring a
“pre-amp” such as those found in the Omni Mic/Instr Channels 1 & 2. The
Omni Mic/Instr inputs provide up to 70dB of gain on the XLR mic inputs, and
up to 50dB of gain on the high impedance inputs.
This is enough gain to bring the signal up to the +4 line level at which the Omni
is capable of operating. The Delta card can be set to three line level references, -
10dB, “Consumer” (which is –4dB), and +4 dB, which is the default. These
settings can be found in the Delta Control Panel Hardware Settings page, under
“Variable Signal Levels.” Refer to section 10.3 for more information on setting
levels.
Most other signals are already at line level, and can be plugged into Omni Line
Ins 3 & 4. Different equipment, however, runs at different line levels. Check your
device’s documentation to see what line level it runs at, and set the Delta
“Variable Signal Level” to that setting. If you use the Line Ins on the Omni and
find that you’re not getting adequate record levels, you can try lowering the
“Variable Signal Level” setting. You can also experiment with using the Omni
pre-amps, which you might find gives some line level signals a little needed
“punch.”
5.10 Virtual Tracks
Often, instruments such as MIDI gear that is being played by a sequencer, is not
recorded onto the recording device. When not recorded, these MIDI tracks are
referred to as “virtual” tracks. MIDI instruments playing through the Omni Aux
Ins, therefore, are virtual MIDI tracks.
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