+4 dBu or -10 dBV ... someone plz explain

[mcr]

The RME HDSP Multiface has three different 'standardized' studio levels.

Reference .............0 dBFS @...........Headroom
Lo Gain.................+19 dBu.............15 dB
+4 dBu................. +13 dBu.............9 dB
-10 dBV.................+2 dBV...............12 dB

Can someone explain what this means? What do I use these levels for (btw, the Mulitface ships with +4 dBu as factory default).

Many thanks

 

[skippy]

It's been hashed through often- here's just one example from the search function:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31698

If you are driving equipment, and receiving signals from equipment, that is designed with reference levels of +4dBu: you do nothing. You're set. However, if you are interfacing with equipment that is desinged for -10dBV signals, you need to change the Multiface's reference level, or you will overdrive the gear.

+4dBu gear: pro and prosumer mixers, DAT decks, and so on. -10dBV gear: consumer stereo gear, entry-level home studio gear.

It doesn't matter which flavor of gear you have: all that matters is that the levels match properly...

 

[mcr]

...

thanks for the helpful link ... when I searched I didn't find a satisfactory answer to my question.

Do manufacturers of sound gear typically tell what level their equipment produces/requires?

 

[toad_uk]

Usually its in the manual or on the box somewhere but if things seem to easily distorted or you can't get enough level try changing the levels.