-10 & +4

[nate_dennis]

This may be the wrong place to put this . . . but I'll give it a shot.

I have read refferences to something being "+4" or "-10." I have no idea what this means. Do any of you care to enlighten me? Thanks in advance.

 

[Farview]

There are two standard line level references.

+4dbu and -10dbv

look up 'line level'

 

[nate_dennis]

I understand the following statement. . . "The most common nominal level for consumer audio equipment is −10 dBV, and the most common nominal level for professional equipment is 4 dBu."

but how does that affect the purchase and use of gear? I'm trying to understand it's application. Maybe I'm just missing the point. . .thanks.

 

[Farview]

When you are trying to interface equipment, you want it all to be the same line level.

In other words, buy all +4 gear or all -10 gear. You can interface unlike line levels, but it is a pain in the butt because -10 gear is too quiet to drive +4 gear and +4 gear will have to be turned down in order to not overload -10 gear.

 

[nate_dennis]

but mics and guitars don't matter in this case right? So mostly we're talking about preamps, mixers, etc. What about speakers/monitors? thanks for all the help.

 

[Farview]

It only pertains to line level devices. Mics are mic level, guitars are instrument level, speakers are speaker level.

Now, if you have powered monitors, they are line level. (the speaker level signal is between the amp and the speaker. In active monitors, the amp is in the speaker cabinet.)