Question

Hi,

So if I set my preamp levels on the DP88 I'm going to have my mic signals out through both ADAT and Direct Outputs at the same time, right? What happens to the Direct Output signal when I hit the Direct button on the front panel? From my understanding of the Block Diagram on the manual, the Direct button stops feeding the AD from the mic preamps but not the Direct Output. I can't say if the mic preamp is disabled or just bypassed for the AD. If the mic preamp signal is still active and spitting out through Direct Output this means I could actually use it as a balanced SEND to line level outboard and the Line Inputs as balanced RETURN, am I right?

And I understand the Direct button bypasses the preamp circuit altogether, but can I still control and make changes to the preamp when the Direct Line Input is active?

Cheers

Answer 1

Signal to AD will always pass to the Direct Line Outs at the same time.

AD and Direct Line Outs are "post" Direct Button switch.  

Audio recorded in your DAW and to Direct Line Outs are determined by the Direct Button.

Direct Button OFF:

XLR input audio will pass to AD and to Direct Line Outs.

Mic Input ( XLR Bypass ) will override the XLR inputs on the DP88 but route the same.

Direct Line Inputs route nowhere.

Direct Button ON:

Direct Line Inputs route to AD and to Direct Line Outs.

XLR and XLR Bypass connections route nowhere.

Answer 2

According to the published block diagram (https://pae-web.presonusmusic.com/downloads/products/pdf/DP88_OwnersManual_EN_07062016.pdf) the mic signal would still be routed to the direct outputs pre line input switch. What the block diagram does not show is whether the power to the preamp circuit is still on. Since the meter is post line input switch, the only way to tell is to test it (or for Presonus to chime in here- nudge nudge). I’m very curious about this because finding an A/D with inserts is nigh on impossible, and I’ve got a Presonus ACP-88 that I’d love to insert.