Expert: Wayne Tapia - 10/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi, i have a lexicon omega, i'm using acid pro 5,which i think is way better than cubase, well, i'm just more use to acid pro 5,how do i hook-up a digitech 2120 pre-amp to it?...can i take the left and right outs from the preamp and run them into the back of the omega or do i have to use the inserts on the back?

ANSWER: I'd try both ways and see which sounds better. I'm thinking the inserts may be a better choice because the regular input wouls be adding another gain stage (and more chances for unwanted distortion).
You won't damage anything since everything is line level signals, so try both.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi wayne, thanks for the info, i'll try it, i also have another question: how do you use the inserts? i have several of the cables-1/4" on one end and two 1/4" on the other, they are marked tip and ring, what goes where? are you familiar with digitech 2120 vgs pre-amp? can you explain in detail? thanks for your help....andy

Answer
The Y cables are used for effects loops typically. Not having any Lexicon gear, I'm not sure if  the inserts are set up as a "send/return" configuration, but I'll go with the assumption that it is (consult your manual).

The single TRS plug to 2 TS plug cable is used to have sends and returns on the same cable. This helps free up space on mixing consoles by only having a single jack handing the job instead of two. Most rack mount effects have separate inputs and outputs - you'd put the "send" plug into the input on the fx unit, and the "return" on the output. The single TRS plug goes into the "insert" jack on the console.
The tip = SEND, the ring = RECEIVE, and the sleeve is the common ground.

If the 2120 does not have an effects loop, use a standard 1/4" cable from the output of the 2120 to the insert of the Lexicon.

More info about the finer points of this type of signal path fun can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insert_(effects_processing)