Impedance uncertainty&patchbay confusion

[jasongray]

Hello,
I've been reading this board for a few weeks now, and I've got a couple of questions that maybe someone could help me with.
First off I'm pretty new to recording( that is on anything other than tape 4-tracks) I've been reading about impedance matching, and the rated levels of pro vs consumer stuff, ie -10 vs +4 db. Does anyone know how to determine what these ratings are for any given piece of gear( yes I read the manual, just didnt understand it ) I have a yamaha mg10/2 plugged into a m-audio 2496. Do these two match? My second question is if anyone knows where I might locate some patchbay wiring schematics or examples. I got a wire-it-yourself patchbay for $15 and thought I'd give it a go. It seems that that's a little more difficult than I would have thought!

Any response would be most appreciated!

 

[mshilarious]

Hello,
I've been reading this board for a few weeks now, and I've got a couple of questions that maybe someone could help me with.
First off I'm pretty new to recording( that is on anything other than tape 4-tracks) I've been reading about impedance matching, and the rated levels of pro vs consumer stuff, ie -10 vs +4 db. Does anyone know how to determine what these ratings are for any given piece of gear( yes I read the manual, just didnt understand it ) I have a yamaha mg10/2 plugged into a m-audio 2496. Do these two match? My second question is if anyone knows where I might locate some patchbay wiring schematics or examples. I got a wire-it-yourself patchbay for $15 and thought I'd give it a go. It seems that that's a little more difficult than I would have thought!

Any response would be most appreciated!

You are not asking about impedance, but signal level, which is actually the nominal voltage a unit outputs/expects. The Yamaha is +4dBu, which is the pro standard. The 2496 is switchable between -10dBV and +4dBu.

If you read the specs on the Yamaha website, way down on the bottom under "MG10/2 Output Characteristics", you will see the nominal output levels listed as +4dB. They left off the 'u', which is annoying, but you can see elsewhere they say "dBV" when they don't mean "dBu".

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA...7900%26ATRID%3D20%26DETYP%3DATTRIBUTE,00.html

I also note that the Yamaha has an RCA out that is -10dBV. If you use that, just set your 2496 accordingly.

 

[rpe]

Jason,

Do a google search on "Hosa Model PHB-265 patch bay owners manual". I'm not endorsing the product but it does give a good explanation of the wiring for a patchbay.

rpe

 

[jasongray]

You are not asking about impedance, but signal level, which is actually the nominal voltage a unit outputs/expects. The Yamaha is +4dBu, which is the pro standard. The 2496 is switchable between -10dBV and +4dBu.

If you read the specs on the Yamaha website, way down on the bottom under "MG10/2 Output Characteristics", you will see the nominal output levels listed as +4dB. They left off the 'u', which is annoying, but you can see elsewhere they say "dBV" when they don't mean "dBu".

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA...7900%26ATRID%3D20%26DETYP%3DATTRIBUTE,00.html

I also note that the Yamaha has an RCA out that is -10dBV. If you use that, just set your 2496 accordingly.

Hey,
Thanks for the reply!

You know, the funny thing is that as soon as I read your post, I looked at the yamaha manual again, and there it is under input/output specs, and rated level. Guess I just needed a kick in the pants in the right direction As for the -10dbv out, does it make sense to you that the output that they recomend you plug your recorder into, is the only "consumer level" output?
Actually, it doesnt really matter as I have my sound card plugged into the aux sends for the time being. As for the 2496 manual, I think I'll need to read that 20 or 30 times before I'll understand it
Once again thanks for taking the time to answer my silly questions!

 

[jasongray]

Jason,

Do a google search on "Hosa Model PHB-265 patch bay owners manual". I'm not endorsing the product but it does give a good explanation of the wiring for a patchbay.

rpe

Thanks for the reply!
Good call! that's a great refrence, I'll be digesting that for a while!

 

[Simman]

It's worth noting:
The m-audio 2496 only allows you to swith the Output level NOT the input level (BTW- That's why I think the card sucks ).

 

[mshilarious]

As for the -10dbv out, does it make sense to you that the output that they recomend you plug your recorder into, is the only "consumer level" output?

Yeah, because any consumer tape deck or CDR is looking for that level. Whereas the main outputs are designed to feed power amps.

 

[jasongray]

It's worth noting:
The m-audio 2496 only allows you to swith the Output level NOT the input level (BTW- That's why I think the card sucks ).

Err, nevermind

 

[jasongray]

Yeah, because any consumer tape deck or CDR is looking for that level. Whereas the main outputs are designed to feed power amps.

Ah, makes sense.