Need help with connection of audio interface to channel strip.

Hi Folks.
Can somebody please help me with this connection?
Below schematics of my audio interface and external strip.
I want to use the studio strip on insert. Which cable do I use? The "Y" cable to input / output to the strip or "stereo like" single cable from insert of interface to insert of channel strip? If it is a single (non "Y") cable, what type of cable it is? Is it a standard balanced 1/4" TRS - 1/4" TRS or it is something else?

It had been many years since I used one of these strips, lost all my marbles

Thank you in advance,
Misha.

Plug into the audio interface insert. That bypasses the audio interface preamps which aren't necessary since the external strip will use it's own preamp. The audio interface insert is a balanced input which is wired the same as an XLR cable. You can use an XLR cable with a TRS 1/4" adaptor or a regular TRS cable into the audio interface insert.

Charlie,
Thank you.
Mic will be plugged to the interface directly (so it will be using interface preamps).

My understanding, signal will travel through interface preamps/gain->going to the strip, then-> finally to Asio driver.

Just to confirm, a single TRS cable, Audio Interface INSERT to Strip INSERT would do the trick?

Please let me know, if I got it right. Thank you!

Your signal path would be mic plugged into the external channel strip mic input and set all of your levels as you want on the external channel strip. Plug into a line level output on the channel strip and plug the other end of the cable into the audio interface insert plug. This will provide a direct signal path from the channel strip to the audio interface ADC and bypasses the audio interface preamps completely.

The external strip is a duel input channel strip correct? I only see the back and assume it is. However, the signal path you just posted is putting the mic input through the audio interface and preamps, taking the audio interface output and sending the output signal into the channel strip line level input which if you are doing your routing that way, you are using the channel strip as an effect the same as if you were going to use a compressor, reverb or delay. You can do that but in my opinion, that will not give you the best routing signal path regardless if you are using the channel strip for only compressor, eq, or other dynamics or effects and not using the channel strip mic input. The Y cable you mention in your first post is for using the channel strip receive a send/return signal from another external device and if your intended use for the external strip is effects, then the Y cable is not your best option. That would be the single, 1/4" plug from the channel strip output to one or two inputs on the audio interface. But that insert is designed to 'insert' an additional effect into the channel strip signal path and not insert the channel strip into another device signal path. My instructions detail inserting the external strip into the audio interface signal path.

The routing I describe above is opposite of what your reply post routing is and may not provide the correct effect you are trying to accomplish. Before you plug anything in, let us know how you intend to use the device and maybe also identify both the audio interface and external strip. Both routings will work, but they give different results.

Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#

Mic will be plugged to the interface directly (so it will be using interface preamps).

It's possible the channel strip preamp is better than the audio interface preamp. They are undoubtedly at least equal in quality. In either case, the signal path will be better to place the channel strip first in the signal chain unless you are doing it through the audio interface first for a specific audio effect outcome.

My understanding, signal will travel through interface preamps/gain->going to the strip, then-> finally to Asio driver.

No, if you route a single TRS/TRS cable from the audio interface send/return path (insert) to the channel strip insert, it will send the audio interface output signal to the channel strip incorrectly. A TRS cable is going to match T-T, R-R and S-S which results in The audio interface -T-'send' routing to the -T- on the channel strip which is also the channel strip 'send' whereas you need the signal to go to the channel strip 'return' which is the input. That's why you need a Y cable. But you also need separate input and output path from the channel strip to do that.

You can plug the cable to the first click when inserting it into the audio interface which will give you a signal path from the audio interface output (send) to the channel strip input (return) but you will not have a return back to the audio interface.

Just to confirm, a single TRS cable, Audio Interface INSERT to Strip INSERT would do the trick?

No, see above...

A single TRS or TS cable will work to take the channel strip line output into audio interface insert by plugging the cable only to the first 'click' position on the audio interface input. That provides the channel strip end -T- (send) to the audio interface -R- (return) and the signal goes straight to the ADC of the audio interface. Using this technique, you will plug your mic into the channel strip mic input and not the audio interface mic input.

Charlie,
First of all, thank you for your time! I was actually hoping you would reply to this

Sure, most intuitive setup would be as you described with placing the channel strip first in the signal chain.

The only thing is, I believe my audio interface preamps are better than the ones on the strip. I have Arturia Audiofuse interface, they use what they call DiscretePRO mic preamps, which in my opinion are pretty descent piece of hardware for pro-sumer level gear. The strip is Joemeek OneQ Master Studio Channel Strip.

I do get it how to place the strip first in the line.

My question is how to use it as insert. As I suspected, and you confirmed: TRS cable is going to match T-T, R-R and S-S so standard cable would not work. I thought they would have a "reverse polarity" type cable to handle straight from INSERT to INSERT. That what got me confused! I guess it is not used such way

I assume the only way to use the strip properly as insert FX would be a Y cable.

Thank you.

Yes. The way to use the strip properly as insert FX is to use a Y cable or custom made TRS/RTS cable. The TRS plug will go into the audio interface using a Y cable. The audio interface T-(send) will go to a line input of the channel strip and a line output from the channel strip R-(Return) will return to the audio interface from the Y side of the cable.

It's easy to make a custom TRS plugs cable for your set up by reversing the T and R on the plug to the channel strip side of the cable. The audio interface T-(send) would terminate to the R-(return/Input) plug on the channel strip and the R-(return/input) on the audio interface would connect to the T-(send) from the channel strip plug.

Thanks for your kind words hoping I would reply. Glad to do it and I hope all works out for you. Both devices are quality pieces of gear and you should have no loss of quality issues routing the channel strip as an insert. I believe you will get the cleanest audio signal using one or the other preamps and not both. Using both preamps could easily overdrive the output.

Charlie,
If I have enough parts, I will try to make the custom made TRS/RTS cable, for some reason I could not find one pre-made. Otherwise, I will just get the "Y".

Thank you for your time!