-10 dBu and +4 dBu

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Pier Calacino

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I hope this is the correct forum?

Does it make any difference, or much difference which you use in conjuction with other gear?

I am using a DAW but some of my out board gear has selector shitches for -10dBu and +4dBu.

What should it all be set at? I am guessing -10 ? Because it's not a total pro set-up?

Thanks
Pier
 
If not all of your equipment is +4, and some is selectable, then keep them all at -10.
 
Thanks Sennheiser,

What does it do to the audio signal if you have some things at -10 and others at +4?

Do you get distortion or just different audio levels that you have to adjust anyway?

thanks
Pier
 
You should try too run all your gear at the same operating level.

If they all CAN run at +4, then run it all at +4. If say you have one piece that runs at -10 and cannot be changed to +4, then change everything else to -10. You will run into problems trying to run both operating levels.

Where you could get away with it is:

If a -10 device is feeding a +4 device. Say your mixer output is at -10 and you say have a compressor on it's output that is set to +4, well, aside from the fact that you would need to lower the threshold of the compressor A LOT to get any gain reduction, you would at least not be running too hot of a signal to the compressor.

But reverse that, mixer +4 out, compressor in -10, well, you would be hitting the compressor with a VERY hot signal and it might distort! You will want to avoid that.

Most gear these days will run at +4, even on it's unbalanced I/O's, but it is a good idea to make sure. Some gear has balanced and unbalanced I/O's, and sometimes, the unbalanced I/O's are -10 and the balanced are +4, with no way to select a different operating level for the unit. Some gear has a "global" operating level switch that effects both the balanced and unbalanced I/O's.

Hope this helps a bit.

Ed
 
Ed,

Your explaination does help!

Thank you for your Time!

Pier
 
Ed,

Thank You. That is about the most clear and concise explanation I have come across.

You may care to advise on the following:

Console Tape Sends (Direct Outs)......-10dBV.......this can be changed on the channel pcb's to +4

PreSonus Comp......-10dBV / +4dBu...............switchable

Fostex D160 Recorder......-10dBV

Yamaha REV5......-20 / +4dBm...............switchable

Digitech Effects......+4dBu

OK, I'm getting confused by 1; dBV/dBm/dBu........are they all basically one and the same?
2; The REV5's nominal levels don't give me a -10 option.

Instinct tells me to run anything I can at -10, the REV5 at ??? and obviously the Digitech is stuck at +4. If I set the REV5 at -20 I guess I will just have to watch how much signal I feed off the Aux Sends, otherwise set it to +4 and wind the fuck out of the Aux Sends:D

regards,

Chris O :cool:
 
ausrock said:
Ed,

Thank You. That is about the most clear and concise explanation I have come across.

You may care to advise on the following:

Console Tape Sends (Direct Outs)......-10dBV.......this can be changed on the channel pcb's to +4

PreSonus Comp......-10dBV / +4dBu...............switchable

Fostex D160 Recorder......-10dBV

Yamaha REV5......-20 / +4dBm...............switchable

Digitech Effects......+4dBu

OK, I'm getting confused by 1; dBV/dBm/dBu........are they all basically one and the same?
2; The REV5's nominal levels don't give me a -10 option.

Instinct tells me to run anything I can at -10, the REV5 at ??? and obviously the Digitech is stuck at +4. If I set the REV5 at -20 I guess I will just have to watch how much signal I feed off the Aux Sends, otherwise set it to +4 and wind the fuck out of the Aux Sends:D

regards,

Chris O :cool:
Click to expand...

First off, I know of no way that a patchbay can change the operating level of ANY audio device. This is not possible because that audio devices operating level is set by the OP Amp on it's I/O's.

Second. Ahhhhhh...Yamaha and their very weird -20!!! Treat that like you would -10 if you need to make a -10 connection.

Next. Yes, it sound like since your recording machine is running at -10, you will want to set your outboard preamps to -10.

Now, with your Yamaha, you possibly could set it to +4 IF the consoles Aux or Effect sends are +4. Get it?

The idea is make sure that ANY connection you MIGHT make that both the output of one device and the input of the other device are at the same operating level. It is really that simple. Operating levels and "balanced/unbalanced" are two different things in most cases. Sometimes, a device I/O might only work with a certain operating level, like the balanced I/O might ONLY be +4 and the unbalanced I/O might only be -10 and they won't have a way to change that. Other devices, like a lot of Behringer gear, allow you set switch the operating level via a switch, and setting it to either -10 or +4 set's it on both balanced and unbalanced I/O's on the unit.

I can't think of any more clear of a way to explain it all. Sometimes, to get the right match up's you might have to purchase XLR to TRS connectors and what not to make the proper connections.

It is a good idea to read your manuals thoroughly for their explainations about what operating levels are on each of it's I/O's.

Ed
 
Ed,

I couldn't figure where you got "patchbays" from when I originally read your reply, but I just came back to re-read this thread and realised what caused the misunderstanding..........

Quote;......."Console Tape Sends (Direct Outs)......-10dBV.......this can be changed on the channel pcb's to +4"

"pcb"=printed circuit board................In my S/craft Spirit Studio 24/8 there is the factory endorsed option to modify each individual channel internally.

Regards,

Chris O :cool:
 
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