Mesa Boogie record out question

[Danno]

I have an old Mesa Boogie DC-3 amp that I’ve gotten to like a lot. The amp has a record out jack on the back panel that I’d like to play around with but I’m not quite sure how to use it. Would a regular guitar cable running from the amp out to a recording interface work? And would I be correct in assuming it would use a low impedance input on the interface rather than a high impedance instrument input?

 

[aleclee]

Would a regular guitar cable running from the amp out to a recording interface work?

Correct

And would I be correct in assuming it would use a low impedance input on the interface rather than a high impedance instrument input?

Correct again

Make sure to consult page 8 of the DC-3 Owner's Manual regarding speaker loads and use of the silent recording switch.

 

[CaptainMoto]

My guess is, the output from the Mesa is line level, which is much hotter then mic or instrument level.
A standard 1/4 TS (instrument cable) is what you'd use however, sending a line level to a mic or instrument level input on your interface will most likely result in distortion and could damage the pre-amp on your interface.
Best practice is to level match, meaning, send a line level signal to a line level input, mic to mic etc.
Mic levels are the weakest, instrument level is stronger and line level signal is the strongest.
It can be 1,000 time greater then mic level.

I suggest digging up the manual on your interface for instructions before you plug in.
See if it can accept line level input.

If you send a mic or instrument level to a line input, nothing bad will happen, it just might not work because the signal is too weak.
On the other hand, sending line level to a mic input is not good because it's too strong.

 

[Danno]

Thanks guys, I should be able to check it out today and see what happens. And hopefully "what happens" won't include a broken interface.

 

[PapaRaptor]

Thanks guys, I should be able to check it out today and see what happens. And hopefully "what happens" won't include a broken interface.

Just make sure you have any gain or volume control on your interface turned as low as it goes when you commence testing.

 

[Danno]

Just make sure you have any gain or volume control on your interface turned as low as it goes when you commence testing.

 

[PapaRaptor]

Sorry, it was one of my Captain Obvious moments.

 

[Danno]

Sorry, it was one of my Captain Obvious moments.

Not at all, always good to be reminded about things like that. Much better than a facepalm over a smoking wreck of gear.