Jack of Alderaan
New member
Until recently i was using Garageband on an old mac with a line input so i used to plug the mic into a mixer, use its preamp then straight into the laptop. I could adjust the level both with the mixer and also Garageband's input level.
Last month i was able to get myself a brand new laptop and a proper audio interface. So now i have a macbook air m1 and a SSL2. I was trying to record some drums the other day with an AKG C214, the levels were good on the SSL2, hitting between -20/-10db on the interface if my memory is correct (only the max green lights, no yellow or orange). But on Garageband the soundwave looks a bit small, like taking a bit less of half the space before it clips. So without thinking too much about it i tried to increase the input recording level on the DAW only to find out that now it's greyed out and i cant use it....
From what i've read it seems that this is normal and i can only adjust levels with the interface, not the computer. Is this correct? Which leads me to another question: so how do i adjust the level now? I could slightly turn up gain on the SSL2 so it hits the yellow spot but i don't think it's gonna make a big difference and i run the risk of overloading. Perhaps i shouldnt think in terms of signal/noise ratio because it's digital? Maybe the soundwave is fine and i shouldnt worry about its amplitude in the DAW since this is not analog? And just use comp then manually turn up the track volume in Garageband if necessary?
Last month i was able to get myself a brand new laptop and a proper audio interface. So now i have a macbook air m1 and a SSL2. I was trying to record some drums the other day with an AKG C214, the levels were good on the SSL2, hitting between -20/-10db on the interface if my memory is correct (only the max green lights, no yellow or orange). But on Garageband the soundwave looks a bit small, like taking a bit less of half the space before it clips. So without thinking too much about it i tried to increase the input recording level on the DAW only to find out that now it's greyed out and i cant use it....
From what i've read it seems that this is normal and i can only adjust levels with the interface, not the computer. Is this correct? Which leads me to another question: so how do i adjust the level now? I could slightly turn up gain on the SSL2 so it hits the yellow spot but i don't think it's gonna make a big difference and i run the risk of overloading. Perhaps i shouldnt think in terms of signal/noise ratio because it's digital? Maybe the soundwave is fine and i shouldnt worry about its amplitude in the DAW since this is not analog? And just use comp then manually turn up the track volume in Garageband if necessary?