OK so I am running into my analog board with VU meters (8 buss) into my presonus firestation. it seems like that levels on the VU are higher than the levels im getting in cubase (with faders set at unity) with the presonus. on top of the presonus there are small adjustments for the A/D converter line levels I assume that i need to turn these up a little to make the levels a little more even just want to make sure that i get them all even don't want to have some A /D that are 'hotter ' than others any suggestions on how to do this?
Calibrating input levels
- Thread starter Randy5235
- Start date
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Sounds like you have a gain structure mismatch.... VU meters will typically read far LOWER than digital peak meters.........
Blue Bear Sound
New member
i read the article and honestly it was a bit over my head 
lemme explain my chain if i may
mic->tascam 388 this thing has 8 buss out (rca) which i run into the 8 inputs (1/4') of the -> presonuis firestation->computer(running cubase or logic)
the presonus has an adjustment for each of the 8 line level inputs i havent touched them yet (kinda afraid too ) i just ran this test for you.. I sdpeak into the mic and the VU on the tascam holds steady (singing la.....)at about -5 (on the VU)my meters in cubase are showing me about -15
I am assuming that i need to turn the little adjustments to increase the level on the presonus??
I have a test tone cd maybe i should use that to make sure they are all even. does this sound right or am I way off..
lemme explain my chain if i maymic->tascam 388 this thing has 8 buss out (rca) which i run into the 8 inputs (1/4') of the -> presonuis firestation->computer(running cubase or logic)
the presonus has an adjustment for each of the 8 line level inputs i havent touched them yet (kinda afraid too
) i just ran this test for you.. I sdpeak into the mic and the VU on the tascam holds steady (singing la.....)at about -5 (on the VU)my meters in cubase are showing me about -15 I am assuming that i need to turn the little adjustments to increase the level on the presonus??
I have a test tone cd maybe i should use that to make sure they are all even. does this sound right or am I way off..
Blue Bear Sound
New member
ok.... first off VU meters are not the same as peak meters... VU meters will 'generally' read several db lower than peak meters on high-transient material.
Easiest way is to calibrate is to send a steady signal thru the 388 that reads 0db on the VU meters (with a steady signal, peak or VU meters read pretty much the same)...
If your gain structure is matched - ie, +4dbu output to +4dbu input, or -10dbV output to -10dbV input , this will likely correspond to something very roughly like -15dBFS on your software's meters (depending on where the manufacturer calibrated their metering point).
If you have a gain mismatch of say a -10 output to a +4 input, your meter will read about 12db LOWER because the -10 output signal you'd be sending is about 12 lower than what a +4 input expects. In this case, if you have the option of a -10 input on your interface, you should use that instead - OR - you can simply use the preamp gain to increase the signal level at the expense of some noise due to the gain structure mismatch.
The idea is for the your signal level to be even all the way thru your signal chain so that you aren't boosting level unnecessarily to compensate for input/output level mismatches. The trick is discovering what "normal meter readings" actually are given your signal chain! What I described above *should* get you in the ballpark though - enough for you to get familiar with your gear interfacing.
Easiest way is to calibrate is to send a steady signal thru the 388 that reads 0db on the VU meters (with a steady signal, peak or VU meters read pretty much the same)...
If your gain structure is matched - ie, +4dbu output to +4dbu input, or -10dbV output to -10dbV input , this will likely correspond to something very roughly like -15dBFS on your software's meters (depending on where the manufacturer calibrated their metering point).
If you have a gain mismatch of say a -10 output to a +4 input, your meter will read about 12db LOWER because the -10 output signal you'd be sending is about 12 lower than what a +4 input expects. In this case, if you have the option of a -10 input on your interface, you should use that instead - OR - you can simply use the preamp gain to increase the signal level at the expense of some noise due to the gain structure mismatch.
The idea is for the your signal level to be even all the way thru your signal chain so that you aren't boosting level unnecessarily to compensate for input/output level mismatches. The trick is discovering what "normal meter readings" actually are given your signal chain! What I described above *should* get you in the ballpark though - enough for you to get familiar with your gear interfacing.