Using CQ18T just for preamps

CQ CQ General Discussions
1

I’m doing a 10 channel recording with a live group next Tuesday. I use an RME UFX, which has 4 built in preamps, and I also have an external 2 channel preamp, which means that I need 4 more mic preamps.

My plan is to use the CQ18T to plug in 4 mics, and then sending these channels to separate outputs into the line inputs of my RME.

Is there any reason this would be a bad idea? Anything to watch out for?

Thanks all!

2

you could just plug everything into the cq18 and have it record directly to the sd card.

why use 3 devices when one could do the job?

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3

Just use the cq18t as the audio interface to your daw. You can record all channels to your computer separately.

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4

I’m nervous have 8 musicians over, and using an interface I’ve never used before, into a laptop I’ve never used to record before. I know the RME works, sounds better, has better preamps, and I have a stereo tube preamp.

Do you think the difference between the digital conversion and preamps of the RME is negligible?

Is the CQ18T rock solid into a random windows laptop? (I was gonna bring my desktop and a mini monitor as well, but if I’m going compact, may as well go all the way.

AND, if I decide to, are there any actual drawbacks, other than convenience, to running the outputs of the CQ18T into my RME?

5

modern preamps are so quiet its crazy.

you know you can record all the individual tracks on the CQ without a laptop right? no extra devince needed.

only thing to note is the 18T does not have any HI-Z inputs.

certainly I’d get familiar with the cq18t before the event tho :slight_smile: but if you wanna go light and lean, i’d just use the cq and record directly onto it.

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6

3 different devices is making things very complicated …. Allthough RM is single interface you will have 2 more input devices + recording device. But will work fine, and you are familiair with

CQ18t and SD card (+ ipad) is very simple and straightforward

  • test at home and get familiair with, connect all mics etc and do some recordings. Also check playback. Make couple of scenes so you can switch easy between the two
  • Depending on the recording environment (space, mics, etc), I have my doubts whether you will hear difference in quality between the RME and the A&H
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7

And to answer this question as well:
If you prefer to use the 4 RME + your 2 tube preamps for sound reasons, I wouldn’t see any disadvantages in using your CQ as just a kind of microphone preamp.
Although the 4 channels would be additionally AD-DA converted, the question is whether anyone would ever hear that without a direct comparison.

But if you do decide to go with the simple recording option but still prefer the tube preamp sound: You could probably also run the corresponding channels through the tubes during post-production.
If it’s important, try this beforehand as well.

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8

I just used a CQ-18, using all 16 channels for a live venue, using a laptop as the DAW. The CQ did flawlessly. This way, I could record on the laptop DAW.

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I do this all the time: recording on the SD card as well as USB>laptop>DAW. CQ20 & CQ12. Live productions and dedicated recording sessions on location. Classical choirs, vocal groups, world music ensembles, singer-songwriters etc. Works without any flaws, excellent recording quality. Remember to choose the right sample rate on CQ and DAW.

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Ended up using the CQ18 as the interface, USB to Reaper. Also did the straight to SD card for redundancy. Turned out great! Thanks all!

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