Triggers into line-in?

[JeffTD]

Been kicking this idea around in my head for a bit, but I've not been able to test it.

Basically, I've got unused line-ins, but not mic pres - could I run a trigger into the line-in and then boost the gain of the signal within the DAW and have it be fine? I'm not worried about how it sounds, since it's a trigger splat, but I can't imagine the noise floor being brought up a crap ton, or at least enough to ruin the point of running triggers in the first place?

 

[Ermz]

The noise floor of most converters is around the -100dB range, and more for the better types. It'd have to be a hell of a low-level signal for you not to be able to pull this off so... you have my blessing.

 

[P-E]

I don't see how that wouldn't work.

 

[guitarguru777]

Ya jeff I have actually done in back in the day when I had a Layla card. It does work

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Yup, I've done it too, and it does work fine.

 

[jeid]

I was considering the same thing. Thanks for asking the question!

 

[Trevoire520]

Yep, triggers tend to have a pretty hot output anyway so they'll be fine going into line in's.

 

[JeffTD]

Tiiiiight this saves me some money/inputs!

 

[egan.]

I've done it and it works.

 

[arv_foh]

I tried before I had an appropriate amount of pres and I always had problems with the softer hits not being triggered at all.