audio level meter matching

P

Papoola

New member
Not sure if placed in the right place I re-post here this msg
Tks for the attention and help

Dear Experts, I am trying to learn the home studio skills and found your
help extremely helpful.
I am actually homerecording my synthetizer into the PC.
The signal flow is the following:
Synth - outboard A/D-D/A converter MindPrint - Toslink - RME digital
audiocard .
Recording software is SONAR XL.
As a starting point I record MIDI tracks of my synth via a USB MIDI unit ;
at this stage
I recorded 4 midi tracks (one by one) and so far not having matched their
levels as they are simply MIDI. The idea is to properly adjust the audio
level any moment later on in the process.

Now, having dried up the polyphony capacity of the synth and more important
the 4 indipendent MIDI channel of the synth (A/B/C/D), I decided to start
transferring a couple of the midi tracks as audio files inside SONAR to free
some MIDI capability.

First question: is this common practice or what would you do right now?


Following the AD/DA converter instructions and to have the best A/D
conversion in term of bits I adjusted the converter input knob just a step
before its clipping level (a red led)
Doing so the input level of SONAR (with Sonar channel level at 0) goes
totally above the meter clipping level.

What is the common practice in this situation ??

Shall I maintain the A/D converter right (just slightly before clipping) and
reducing Sonar track level (below the Zero level) or shall I reduce the A/D
input level to keep the Sonar track meter at 0 ??

I guess that the first solution is better as I would have the best bit
conversion isn't ??
I also guess if SONAR leveling is accurate enough or if shall be
tested/tuned in some way.

Tks so much and in case need more details I will come back . I just tried to
keep it short !
 
You want to record as HOT as possible without clipping.

So, adjust the A/D unit to just-before-clipping, then set the levels in Sonar (you already had the concept......... ;)) .
 
Great stuff to read

Hey I will defenetely learn this time. Tks so much for your kindness
One last doubt, couldn't be that some input/output specs are giving the trouble ??
I know that RME audiocards are a good match with this converter, so I guess this should be fine.

I noticed that the A/D inputs accept both XLR and Jack plugs.
it states XLR=MIC, Jack=line

The cables connecting the synth to the converter are jack ended (into the synth) and XLR ended to plug to the A/D converter. Cannot be that this makes the mess??
Sorry for the stupid question ??
 
Digital meters can be a little screwy sometimes and they aren't always that accurate. I would go with the Mindprint meter as you have been doing and if the recordings sound good then you should be okay.

One cause for a difference in clip indicators is that the meter can be set to clip after a certain number of clipped samples. You probably wouldn't notice 2 or 3 clipped samples but at around 7 or more it can be noticeable. It could be that the Sonar meter is set to show clipping after fewer clipped samples than the mindprint.

"Jacks" are usually referred to as a 1/4" jack or plug. There are also balanced (3 pin) and unbalanced (2 pin) 1/4" plugs. You are using the right connector for your keyboard so that shouldn't be causing any problems.
 
additional tests

Hey, i checked the inputs.
Even being the same connector the specs are different:
XLR : balanced, input 10kohm, sensitivity -17,5dB, gain 35dB
jack: unbalanced,input 47kOhm,sensitivity -47dB,gain 53dB

In fact i connected the left of the synth with XLR and the right with a simple Jack.
Adjusted the A/D to the best input (just before clipping), doing so:
XLR put Sonar at clipping and the Jack much below clipping.

All this with audio track input of SONAR at 0 level.

Question:
Which one to use, jack or XLR ?
Consider that in case of jack I should increase the track level in Sonar and with XLR I should strongly reduce it.

Tks for the patience in replying
 
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