Clipped effects in Phonic Helix FW

[Tomayo1]

Hi Chaps,
I originally posted this in recording techniques but it was completely ignored, so I guess it was in the wrong place.

I have just invested in a Phonic Helix 12 Firewire mixer and, so far I'm very happy with it, but...
I've been recording an Ozark steel bodied resonator guitar through an MXL 67 and, since I was using the onboard reverb as a guide and liked the sound, I decided to record the Main Left signal as well so that I could mix it in.
In order to prevent the FX from overloading I have to turn the feed to it (from the mic channel) way down low and can only get a pretty small signal from the Main L as a result. It's not the end of the world (I can use a plug in reverb) but I really liked the sound and hate the idea of loosing resolution by bringing the primary signal down to match it. Am I doing something stupid here, or does the FX module on the mixer really have a much smaller dynamic range than mic channels?
Cheers all.

 

[ssscientist]

since I was using the onboard reverb as a guide and liked the sound, I decided to record the Main Left signal as well so that I could mix it in.

Could you clarify exactly what your signal path is into your computer?

I've read the above sentence about 6 times and I still can't figure out what you mean by it.

 

[Tomayo1]

Sorry,
Microphone - Phonic channel 1 - Firewire - Cubase LE track 1
Phonic channel 1 - Aux 2 EFX SND - internal FX - Master Left -Firewire - Cubase trk2

I'm then running the two audio signals side by side in the Cubase mix. The problem is that I have to turn the Aux 2 send on the mic channel down very low, since the resonator is quite percussive and produces big peaks which overdrive the fx module. The resulting signal on track 2 in Cubase is of very low amplitude.
I'm sure I'm doing something stupid, but the manual didn't seem to help. I also have the return from Cubase routed into the monitor/headphones where the mix sounds fine. Maybe I just need to push up the master fader (for the stereo out) turn down the channel fader for the mic (it doesn't affect the FW output anyway) and then figure out the monitor mix in Cubase.

 

[ssscientist]

If this is the mixer you have, you should be able to send the reverb from the channel path by using the Aux send and controlling the amount of the reverb that gets routed into Cubase along with the guitar by adjusting the level of the Aux Return knob which is in the master section right under the tap delay button.

The mistake you are making is trying to take two tracks at once from one source. One track balanced well is all you need in this case. The Phonic mixer is more capable than you think it is and you should read the manual that came with it.

 

[Tomayo1]

Thanks, I think you've solved the problem, but not in the way you think!
Yes, that is the mixer and the manual sits next to it looking well thumbed.
If I understand you correctly you're suggesting that I use the Main o/p signal only, since the channel signals go directly to FW and are only affected by the preamp gain. I wanted to route the dry signal as well in case I decide that I want to treat it differently once I get other instruments in the mix (it always seems a shame to lose the "primary" sound). However there's no reason why I shouldn't set up the level on that, route it to cubase and then forget about it. As long as it's ok for level there's no need to monitor it.
If I only monitor the main output I'll be able to set that up as you describe. On the other hand I could route a pure FX signal to the main o/p, create the monitor mix in Cubase and then have total flexibility to mix the two later. On the third hand, I could just route it as you suggested and have confidence in my getting right first time.
I guess I should have explained all that first time. Lesson 1, get the question right.
Many thanks again for the help.