Delta 1010lt troubles

  • Thread starter Thread starter RideTheCrash
  • Start date Start date
Alright, so I'm not sure what the heck was changed back when my dad had originally given me a hand, but I think he was looking at the mic level one. As it currently stands, track 2 is half the volume of the rest of the channels, and channel 1 is probably still lower than channel 2.

So with the pad being mentioned, I think the manual kind of makes sense now. These are my options.

1. Mic Level (+30dB gain)
1A. Mic Level (attenuates +30dB by 11dB (i.e. +19dB gain))

2. Line Level (+14dBu peak (+4 mode))
2A. Line Level (Changes Line Level to +3dBu peak (+4 mode))

Then it says:

"NOTE: Illustrations 1a and 2a show a variation on the mic level setting and the line level setting, respectively. If you find that your signal is too hot using the +4dBu selection in the Delta Control Panel's "Variable Signal Level" section of the Hardware Settings page, then try these alternate settings."

Well my equipment is running at -10 I guess. I just want the volumes of channel 1 and 2 the same as channel 3, and want to get it right the first time so I don't have to keep opening up my computer.
 
Sorry for the constant posting, last question: It says if I want to change the jumpers so I can used a balanced +3dBu device, I can. But what if my stuff is like -10 and probably not balanced?
 
i took a look at the manual. i had forgotten about each channel having two jumpers.

for line level, the manual shows two settings for +4 mode. the first setting having a 14dbu peak and the second setting having a 3dbu peak. i'm not positive but i assume that if you set the jumpers to +4 with a 3dbu peak and set the input gain slider in the delta control panel to -10dbv, the input will be set for -10.

i agree, the manual is kind of confusing.
 
Yeah the manual isn't a whole lot of help. But since my current levels are low compared to the rest of the channels, should I put it on mic level? I just want channels one and two to match 3-8.
 
Are you using the pres built into it, or are you running through a mixer's inserts/direct outs?

If you're using the built-in pres, set it to mic level with no pad. In that case, plugging a mic into the card will match plugging it into your mixer for the other channels.

If you're using pres in your mixer and are just patching it into an insert or direct out like any other channel, you should set it to line level, no pad. Then it will exactly match the other channels.
 
Okay thanks just making sure. I was just wondering because they are lower right now so I figured if I had switched them and they were too low...but hey whatever.

I'm tapping into my inserts so I guess I'll go the line level route.
 
did u get the jumpers set correctly? are inputs 1 and 2 the same level as 3-8 now? just wondering.
 
I have to wait unfortunately. My computer is opened up, I'm just waiting for my help. In the next few hours I'll be able to let you guys know.
 
I'm confused. We set both two line level and they are still lower, but at least the are both equal. I think it's how I'm testing, Maybe it's because I patched directly into the channel 1, instead of using my board I don't know. I don't know if the fact there is an unbalanced adaptor in the signal chain makes it lower.

Fortunately, as I type this my bassist is on his way over with my microphones, so I should get a better test. If they are still low, I'll try the mic pad, or normal mic, I don't know, whatever brings it up.
 
No luck. I had to go to work so it's taken me a while. I'm still getting half volume. I took two omni condensors and the board reads them at equal volume. I placed one mic on a normal channel (3) and the other on channel 1. After fighting to get channel one to pick up anything, I got half volume.

Now either I guess I can switch it to mic level/or pad or...I don't know. I think it lies within my adaptor being unbalanced? Perhaps?
 
I'm a bit confused with what you're saying but I'll warn you right now, the Delta 1010LT does NOT have phantom power, so do NOT try to plug condensers into it. It will not work, and I've heard you could damage the mics that way.

If you set the channel 1 and 2 to Line level the signal should be equal to all of the RCA inputs (assuming you left all the variable signal levels at 0 db).

I had mucho difficulties recording electric guitar with the 'preamps' on 1 and 2 with a regular dynamic mic, so that's one reason to avoid using them in the mic level setting. Alas, my current mixer doesn't have enough inserts and busses to run them all on that setting. I would also need to make an adapter XLR male to RCA male as you did.
 
No no, I'm not running my condensors directly into them, otherwise I wouldn't get any sound. The condensors are plugged into my mixer.

Mic > Mixer > Soundcard

I think it must be the crappy 2 adaptors I have to use that is cutting the signal in half. Because 1-2 isn't equal to 3-8 still.
 
It's very possible that the adapters do it. I have somewhere a XLR to 1/4" adapter that changes Hi-Z to Low-Z and sommat (I think), and converts from TRS to TS (for sure).

I don't really know what Hi-Z and Low-Z are, but I do know about TRS and TS. I don't think that going from TS to TRS should lower the volume any, but perhaps it does, and your variable signal levels need to be adjusted.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by variable signals, but I assure you everything is set to the same level. I don't know what this adaptor is, it says Unbalanced Lo-Z *and* Balanced Hi Z on it.
 
Alright for those who care, I sort of solved it. I tried putting the jumpers to mic level but that obviously way to loud. So I put it on mic pad and it was still a bit too loud so I adjusted the faders in the Delta control panel and managed to even them out. Now my problem is I think one of my adaptors is dead (always something) so I'm looking into other things I can use to hook it up for now.

Edit: One of the adaptors wasn't equal to the other, one was mono and one was stereo or something, but I fixed it.
 
RideTheCrash said:
Alright for those who care, I sort of solved it. I tried putting the jumpers to mic level but that obviously way to loud. So I put it on mic pad and it was still a bit too loud so I adjusted the faders in the Delta control panel and managed to even them out. Now my problem is I think one of my adaptors is dead (always something) so I'm looking into other things I can use to hook it up for now.

Edit: One of the adaptors wasn't equal to the other, one was mono and one was stereo or something, but I fixed it.


I think you need xlr male to 1/4" male cables to make the right connection.
 
I just emailed M-Audio tech support about this. I also left a link to this thread so maybe they will respond here. Here's the email:



My mixer inserts are 1/4" unbalanced. I want to send the unbalanced signal from my mixer inserts to inputs 1 and 2 of the 1010LT card. I have the jumpers on the 1010LT set for line level. Will the pad jumper need to be set to bring down the line level?

I have asked around and no one seems to know what the proper cables or adapters to use would be. What is the correct way to hook this up?

There is a thread on the forum of Homerecording.com where some of us are trying to figure this out. If you have time, please check it out:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=168613

Thanks in advance for any info on this.
 
Well I sent them an email a few days ago, and they just said to call them, but I won't bother...'cause I have it working now, even if it's a little different than what it should be set to. I really want a RCA to XLR cable but good luck to me finding one around where I live.
 
you could make one pretty easily if you have and know how to use a soldering iron.

oh yea, i did call m-audio but got tired of waiting.......about 20 minutes.
 
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