I'm not sure if the distinction between "line amp" and "mic preamp" is critical here, so I think it makes the most sense to break this down into two related questions:
1) is there another interface on the market (aside from the MH LIO-8 which I have now) that has analog line amps on the inputs so that I can control the level as much as +30db (ish, I could work with less) and even drop it by as much as 10db before it hits the converters ?
2) as far as input impedance is concerned, should I worry about using a mic pre built into an interface to do relatively small amounts of amplification on the way in for my line level signals ? (this I suppose would mean losing the ability to drop a few dbs from the signals on the way in, but I could live with that if it works otherwise).
What I am hoping to do is get something that lets me do what I do now, from another manufacturer, because I've had issues with MH. I use 42 db fixed gain mic amps and passive EQs pretty much exclusively (despite not being the technically inclined person you might imagine with have a rig like that), so the MH line amps are handling makeup gain for the EQs and also boosting some lower output signals . That makes the variable line amp the only place I can electronically control signal level upward.
I have googled various interfaces but none seem to have this. If I have to buy something with full blown mic pres that I will not be using as mic pres, I guess I need to check all their specs to see how little gain they can add when you are going through the pre. I was just looking at one that starts at 10db, which would be more than I need sometimes.
1) is there another interface on the market (aside from the MH LIO-8 which I have now) that has analog line amps on the inputs so that I can control the level as much as +30db (ish, I could work with less) and even drop it by as much as 10db before it hits the converters ?
2) as far as input impedance is concerned, should I worry about using a mic pre built into an interface to do relatively small amounts of amplification on the way in for my line level signals ? (this I suppose would mean losing the ability to drop a few dbs from the signals on the way in, but I could live with that if it works otherwise).
What I am hoping to do is get something that lets me do what I do now, from another manufacturer, because I've had issues with MH. I use 42 db fixed gain mic amps and passive EQs pretty much exclusively (despite not being the technically inclined person you might imagine with have a rig like that), so the MH line amps are handling makeup gain for the EQs and also boosting some lower output signals . That makes the variable line amp the only place I can electronically control signal level upward.
I have googled various interfaces but none seem to have this. If I have to buy something with full blown mic pres that I will not be using as mic pres, I guess I need to check all their specs to see how little gain they can add when you are going through the pre. I was just looking at one that starts at 10db, which would be more than I need sometimes.