[musicamigo]

Thanks, Audio-G .... now that you mentioned the line level
issue, I do recall that (a while ago) when I was having
the low level issues, it wasn't the mic's that first triggered
the problem, it was when I ran an acoustic pickup directly into
the 1/4" unbalanced nuetrik connector on channels 3-8.
The documentation for the FP10 does mention that channels 1
and 2 will act as an active instrument preamp
when a *non-active* instrument is plugged in.

So, after reading your note, I went back and looked over
your recommendations on how you'd run the 'quipment I've
got through the FP10, and re-routed some cables, and
tried a couple of things ...

First, I recorded a guitar riff using my existing configuration
for a base-line comparison

Then I unhooked the cheap preamp from between the AKG kick
drum mic (I mic the bass output on my electric
hybrid guitar via Bose sub-woofer) and the FP10 channel,
and sure enough, plenty of signal coming through
(and way cleaner too, I might add).

I was running the treble channel on the electric hybrid
through a modeler, then through the Bose, and then using
an XLR monitor out from the Bose into the FP10. I eliminated
the Bose from the loop, running the guitar through the
modeler, and into the FP10 channel. What I found really
interesting was that there was a "boominess" in the
first take (old setup) that pretty much disappeared when
I uncoupled the Bose from the path.

All in all, immediate improvements by *getting rid* of
stuff, not spending on *more* stuff. Audio-G ... I
definitely owe you a beer or two for the suggestions.

Some other thoughts/observations ... you mention:

>Personally I'd record each part separately

And I can certainly understand the audio reasons for
doing so. One item, though, that I'd be interested
in getting feedback/opinions on is the aspect of the
energy that happens when the musicians (in this case
a trio) are playing together Vs the potential loss of
"something" when the tracks are laid down separately.
The trio I'm playing in ... we've been together a number
of years, and there's something that happens when
we're all on our game and on target - tough to explain,
but if you've experienced it, you know there's no
mistaking it. I would imagine that learning how to
lay down your track, and still maintain the energy
is a skill that a good musician can cultivate as well.

Makes me think of Brandon's article with the list of
things required for a really good recording - I believe
the first one was essentially the musicians/tune.
And again, in the spirit of chasing down the weak
link, it's going to be interesting to see as I get
my setup tuned in better whether the improved audio
of recording separately will offset the loss of
the real time energy that happens when it's all
recorded at once. But I can also see that that mic
bleed through could be a real issue.

You also mention

>would use the TC Electronics unit for during mixing
(send the recorded vocal out of the FP10 into the box,
out of the box into a line input)

This sounds interesting - do I understand correctly
that I'd basically run a unbalanced cable from the back
FP10 line out jack (the one for the channel that has the vocal)
into the TC Elctronics box, and then from there
back to one of the line inputs (channel 1 or 2)
on the FP10? Not sure I'm grasping this one.

Sigh .. so much to learn - but again, thanks ..
I'm beginning to feel like there is hope, and
that maybe I can figure some of this stuff out.