Peak Gain Problem

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haydencohen

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Hi Everyone,

I have a small mixer (Allen & Heath Zed 10FX) and I get it all to sound right through the headphone jack of the mixer for recording. It always stays in the green on the level indicator. All I want to be able to do is used the record out which is phono to record exactly what's coming through the desk. Whether I use the audio in of my computer or a portable recorder (Roland R-05), there's always peak distortion. It's not even that loud, it just distorts. This distortion never comes through the desk and the level indicator is always in the green. I'm probably doing something wrong with the gain levels, but I'm not sure what.

I've got a feeling I'm missing something quite straightforward.

Can anyone help? I'd really appreciate it


Hayden
 
Pulled up the pdf. By "computer" do you mean the USB? For one your record out is straight off the channels -ie can't be reduced by the main stereo fader.
Bottom line that means you reduce the levels at the channels by whatever amount it takes to stay out of the red at your recording device.
It's also not unusual for one device's output operating in the green' to be able to send higher clean voltages out than the receiving device can handle.
Presumably you're also turned the Roland's input all the way down right?
 
I tried USB originally, but it didn't sound very good. I used a phono lead to a line in port on my computer instead.

Again, this is probably down to my lack of experience.

I did turn the Roland input down, but isn't there only so much you can increase the volume by after recording? Realise that sounds like an extremely newbie question.
 
No worries. I seem to have figured something out although it's still a little quiet (after recording I'm increasing the DB so it still doesn't result in peaking)... Now I'm just trying to work out how to send the FX through USB as well. I've tried pressing and not pressing Aux-FX underneath the USB output, but it doesn't seem to make a difference
 
1) With 24 bit recording (what the Roland does) you can have low levels of recording and still master them up nicely in DAW software. -18db or so.
2) The gain on your computer soundcard is probably turned up in your computer (windows) settings causing distortion there. Plus if it is a regular computer soundcard/onboard sound... they aren't that good anyway. Try recording low with the Roland and master the sound up in your DAW software.

3) The Roland input is -7db, are you trying to put +4db from the mixer into it? Might be too hot for it? My Mixer +4 outputs are too hot for my Scarlett soundcard... I have to use the -10 (rec out) for clean sound and headroom. In your case since your -10 out from your mixer is rca you would need an rca to 1/4 cable for your roland. I am guessing your aux out(1/4") from your mixer is +4...
 
I have a ZED 10 and yes, it is a "proper" mixer in that "0" VU on the meters is at +4dBu output (even on the RCAs) . the meters show a max level of +16dB but in fact the headroom is some +21dBu and so well able to overload most "prosumer" devices.

I have to ignore for instance the Zed meters when feeding my 2496 soundcard since the latter hits 0dBFS at about +6dBu so I work only on the DAW meters.

The best option is to make up an attenuator box to reduce the level from +4dBu to -10dBV which is in fact about 12dB but I would err on the side of caution and shoot for around 14-15dB. Actually the very best way to proceed is a couple of multiturn pre sets and adjust the level such that +4dBu gives -18dBFS on the software meters.

I know it seems to the newcomer that there is a lot of "technology" getting the way of "art" but t'was always so. It is just that these days MOST of it is done for us, just odd bits that don't match when we need to fall back on basic "engineering".

BTW, the Zed SHOULD work very well as a USB interface. You need to set the levels in Windows to accommodate it.

Dave.
 
Thanks everyone,

I'll be honest, I always get a little lost with all the talk of decibels. I decreased the input level of the Roland recorder. What do you think? -
soundcloud.com/haydencohen/wickedgameshort-mp3/s-pTYRl

Hayden
 
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