XLR to pre-amp to line in?

[Guest]

I am a little new to recording,
But I've recently spent some money to record drums. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 with two AT2020s, an Audix D6 and an SM57. Although I am happy where the sound is now, I've been thinking about getting some tom mics. However, all of the XLR inputs on the interface are being used. To my understanding, I can't just plug an XLR into a dynamic tom mic and use an XLR to 1/4 adaptor into a line in into the interface. The levels wouldn't be high enough. So I need an alternative around this. Short of buying a new interface which I don't want to do, could I buy a 4 input mic pre-amp and run each input separately into the interface via line in? Would the recording be at line level or would I need more gain? Also, to my understanding, an XLR signal is a balanced signal. Does this mean I would need a balanced output from the pre-amp?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I looked for other answers and didn't find many clear ones.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 1) You need to understand if you have High or Low Impedance Microphones first. http/www.radioshack.com/a3f-xlr-jack-to-1-4-plug-adapter-transformer/2740016.html
2) The Typical method for you would be using a separate mixer for your drum Mic's AND "Sub-Mixing" from the Line out to Line in of your interface. http/www.sweetwater.com/c264--Analog_Mixers/low2high
3) Basically a Balanced Signal means there is a separate Cable ground/shield (3-wire) for better RF rejection and is needed for longer cable runs... You interface/mixer will convert them internally, and all you will need is 1/4" cables between them.
There are also cable adaptors to do this, and balanced Outputs and balanced Inputs on the More expensive units... But you will NOT need this in your home studio, 1/4" unbalanced will work just fine for you.

Basically you need to know that Microphones of all types are a lower signal strength than a LINE level input on any device... and Will need Pre Amplification to reach that level.

 

[Guest]

So could I use this:

https/reverb.com/item/941475-nady-pra-8-8-channel-1u-microphone-preamp?_aid=pla&pla=1&gclid=CPqckP2B8scCFcaRHwodZW8GCQ

And then have the mics output to the interface? Im sorry, I know the mics need some kind of amplification to get to line level.

However, the pre-amp in that link only have unbalanced outputs. I'm not sure if that will work with a balanced input from the interface and te balanced signal from the mics

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... That is not my choice for you, it does not offer "MIXED" or "Stereo MIX" and Stereo Line level outputs. These options will give you more versatility for $$$ and future mixing options... that unit will only offer a single MIC amplification and a single line out for that Mic... Yes, this would convert Balanced to Un-balanced... But will not MIX 6 Microphones into a single line level output.... This is NOT what you need.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... http/www.amazon.com/NADY-RMX-6-6-Channel-Microphone-Mixer/dp/B00009W40L/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442082489&sr=8-3&keywords=rack+mixers This might be a Better Mono Line output model for your needs as it has two phantom inputs for your AT2020's. Six mic inputs and is pre-mixable, treble/bass, Master... And good reviews.