help with low volume on output

[sqwire03]

Hey All
I'm trying to set up Cubase SL on a PC (P4 2.4 GHZ, 512 MB, 160 GB with 4 x 4 audio interface and 2 x 2 midi interface). When I'm monitoring an audio signal to record, the volume is nice and loud and not distorted. But when I play back what I've recorded the volume drops at least by half. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Even boosting the gains on the cubase mixer (or compressing the levels) does not make what I've recorded sound like it does when I'm monitoring the sound before recording it. Has anyone experienced this? Any help is much appreciated.

 

[apl]

Did you post this question before?

Usually the signal being recorded is routed through different controls than the signal being played back. You should be able to turn up that track to taste after it's recorded.

 

[sqwire03]

my apologies. I posted in the cubase forum but figured my question was better suited for the newbie section as I am definitely a newbie. I understand that the signals are routed differently and I have it set up properly. My problem is within the software I believe. Boosting the gains make no difference in either the software mixer or hardware mixer.

 

[apl]

Boosting the gains make no difference in either the software mixer or hardware mixer.

Very strange. I wish I could be of more help. Are you sure you're turning the playback up?

 

[sqwire03]

I'm sure I'm turning the playback all the way up. Figures something like this would happen to me and no one else has experienced it. I guess that makes me special.

 

[Tifstorey]

sounds a bit odd...are you sure the channel your routing the recording through is turned up nice and high? When your monitoring the signal before your recording and its 'nice and loud' where are you looking exactly? These kind of problems usually turn out to be the simplest.

By the way, what sound card are you using?

 

[sqwire03]

I'm using the M14 audio interface which came with the Cubase System 4 bundle. I'm looking at both the VU meter in the mixer when the monitor button is activated and looking at the VU meters on the front panel of the audio interface. Everything looks good, all lit up and not hitting the red on either and sounding nice and loud. Just when I play it back it's like I did not have the gains up at all. I've turned off the monitor and disabled the record buttons during playback too to make sure that wasn't the problem.

 

[Ingoloid]

Not really sure if this would do anything, but, is there anything in the Windows Sound/Audio properties that you can turn up? Line In, etc.? Preffered Devices?

 

[Tifstorey]

What speakers are you using?

 

[sqwire03]

I have not checked the Windows Sound Audio set-up. It's worth checking thanks.

I'm using M-Audio Studiophile DX4 monitor speakers (I believe). The same things happens when using headphones.

 

[Farview]

Instead of turning up the playback, turn down the interface that you are monitoring when you play. You can always get more volume monitoring than you can playing back. Turn down the monitoring. Then turn up the control room volume to compensate.

 

[sqwire03]

So simple yet makes a lot of sense. I'll give it a try. Thanks Farview.