Okay, so now I'm confused...

[pikingrin]

I am using a Tascam FW1804 interface. It has 4 mic/line inputs at a rated +11dBu spec per the manual. The other 4 inputs are line inputs at +4dBu. The new compressor I just got, along with a guitar processor/preamp that I have had for a few years have buttons on the back to select either +4dBu or -10dBv output. This has got me pretty cornfused here. My signal chain for my new compressor is to go Mic pre->compressor->interface (inputs 1-4 preferably). What do these -10 and +4 references mean, how do they interact, etc... How would I go about making the connections??

I have been running on a pretty simple setup and have had no kinks until this damn compressor showed up... I just want to get it hooked up right so I don't screw my equipment up... HELP??

 

[ssscientist]

The -10 dBv output level is considered a consumer level while the +4dBu level is a professional level. Since the line level inputs on your interface specify +4 you should use the +4 output level for both devices you have now and any device offering that option you may buy in the future.


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[pikingrin]

The -10 dBv output level is considered a consumer level while the +4dBu level is a professional level. Since the line level inputs on your interface specify +4 you should use the +4 output level for both devices you have now and any device offering that option you may buy in the future.
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Damnit, all these numbers confuse me...

I guess it only makes sense, seeing how -10 is not anywhere close to +11??

I just don't know what the dBv and dBu are trying to designate, and it bothers me. Whoever said "The more you learn the less you know" said it best...

 

[Massive Master]

The +11 part might be a failure point (clip).

 

[pikingrin]

Okay, well what does dBu / dBv mean?

 

[notCardio]

Here's what you need to do

The important thing is that you match them up as much as possible, so:

You go from your pre, selecting the +4 option as output from the pre, to the input of your compressor, which should also be able to take a +4 line level input, select +4 as the output of your compressor, and take that into one of the inputs on your interface that you said accepts +4 line level.

Pre (output+4) ==> comp (input +4, AND output +4) ==> interface (input +4)

You're OK. Just make sure that the output of one stage is set to matche the input of the next stage. I'm relatively certain your comp will take a +4 input, because usually the input to a comp is coming from the output of a pre or mixer, most of which are, or can be set to, +4.

I gotta go now, but I'll try to check back (prob tomorrow) to see if you've got it.

Happy compressing!

 

[pikingrin]

The important thing is that you match them up as much as possible, so:

You go from your pre, selecting the +4 option as output from the pre, to the input of your compressor, which should also be able to take a +4 line level input, select +4 as the output of your compressor, and take that into one of the inputs on your interface that you said accepts +4 line level.

Pre (output+4) ==> comp (input +4, AND output +4) ==> interface (input +4)

You're OK. Just make sure that the output of one stage is set to matche the input of the next stage. I'm relatively certain your comp will take a +4 input, because usually the input to a comp is coming from the output of a pre or mixer, most of which are, or can be set to, +4.

I gotta go now, but I'll try to check back (prob tomorrow) to see if you've got it.

Happy compressing!

Hey, thanks for the input here. I understand that I need to match them up, but what about the first 4 mic/line inputs?

What I want to do, since the first 4 inputs (the +11's) are XLR/TRS combo receptacles, is connect my outboard pre's in on the first 4 inputs and the next 2 (+4), using TRS cables instead of XLRs, and leave the last 2 for direct recording via my PODs. I don't know. I guess I'm just a bit anal about logistics... I would like to have everything connected in a certain order, so I can keep track of it better.