Calibrating Studiomaster Console

[riot100]

Hi,

I have recently acquried a Studiomaster Series 5 16:8:2 mixing console. It was in excellent condition and everything seems to be working OK. I have the 8 Group Outputs connected to a Fostex D-90 Digital 8 track recorder.

I have a question regarding calibration between these two units.

When I release the 1KHz Slate Tone Button on the Studiomaster, and bring up the group faders so a zero level is attained on the consoles Meters, the recording levels on the LED meter of the Fostex are only reading about -12.

The RCA Input & Outputs both state -10dBV in the Fostex handbook.
The Group Line outputs on the Studiomaster are mono jacks, level -10dBV.

The Studiomaster Manual states that the Factory settings for the Group Outputs are set at -10dBV, but can be changed to +4dBm.

Am I missing something going from an Analogue mixer to a Digital Recorder?
All the best.

 

[FALKEN]

yes you are missing something. all Dbs are not created equal. Digital is DBFS, Analog is usually DbV or Dbu. you are lucky it is at -12 because that is the correct level.

Think about it like this. Your console can go over 0. but your digital recorder cannot go over 0. so the top level of your digital recorder is equal to +12 on your mixer, which is probably close to where it actually tops out.

 

[riot100]

Hi Falken,

Thank you for your prompt reply and information. With what you stated, this allowed me to search on the 'Net using the appropriate terms, and find out more info.

I recorded the 1KHz Slate Tone onto the Fostex D90, and played it back to an Input channel on the Studiomaster, routed this to a group (and L & R outputs).

With input fader approx 8 and group fader at 0, then turned up the Gain control on the relevant Input channel and the level on the cosole Meter read 0.

All the best.