problem with delta 1010lt (i'm probably just an idiot)

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eeb

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The record levels are rediculously hot. I have to turn the pre amp gain on my mixer to almost nothing.. then i have to go into the control panel for the 1010 and turn the inputs down to almost nothing.. This can't be normal... what am i doing wrong.? It's still fairly new gear to me.. my last interface was a firepod (it died on me) so this is kinda nothing like it...


i'm using a yamaha mg-12 mixer.. the two xlr inputs on the 1010 aren't going through another pre.. the jumpers are set at the default (from what i understand is mic level.)
 
bump- no thoughts??


I can still get usable levels but it takes alot of tweaking and mic placement (not always in a good way.. i find i'm sacrificing the sound I want to get a usable level.. )
 
Open the M-Audio Delta Control Panel. Should be an Icon for it on the bottom right of the task bar if you are a Windows user. Click the tab Hardware Settings. Look for the section Variable Signal Levels. Try setting outputs to -10dbv and see if that helps.
 
yea, it sounds like a level mismatch.

Make sure you are coming in at line level and that the inputs are expecting line level.
 
maybe i'm getting a little confused here.. the output and the input should be at the same level? I thought the output would be used for monitoring and wouldn't have a direct effect on the input level.. right now my output levels are much higher than the input levels.. (i do this so I can monitor what i'm recording properly (or maybe not properly) )

from my understanding
output level means how much volume you're sending to your outputs (which are going to my amp then the speakers)
input level means the actual signal being recorded..

am I wrong in assuming this/?

if that's all it is then i am indeed an idiot.
 
eeb said:
i'm using a yamaha mg-12 mixer.. the two xlr inputs on the 1010 aren't going through another pre.. the jumpers are set at the default (from what i understand is mic level.)
Click to expand...

This means that the 1010lt is boosting your signal and acting like a mic pre. You want to change the jumpers over to line level.
 
it's acting like a mic pre on all 8 channels???

if i switch to line level then I would need to run the first two channels with another pre? I thought the jumpers only affected the two xlr ins (the only ones with build in pre's)
 
Check out Page 7-8 of your manual. The jumpers affect the operating level of analog inputs 1 & 2.


if i switch to line level then I would need to run the first two channels with another pre?
Click to expand...
I don't know what you're talking about, dude. I thought you were using the pres in your mixer? What you ideally want to do is go from microphone to mixer mic input, adjust mic trim/gain on mixer while fader is around unity, cable from mixer line output to 1010lt line input (which is why you either need to change the jumpers or use the RCA inputs). Depending on what kind of signal your mixer is outputting, you may want to pay attention to the Hardware Settings tab of the Maudio software control panel, where it says Variable Signal Levels--All Inputs, and decide whether it needs to be set at +4dBu or -10dBV, again depending on what your mixer outputs.
Hope that helps.
 
eeb said:
i'm using a yamaha mg-12 mixer.. the two xlr inputs on the 1010 aren't going through another pre.. the jumpers are set at the default (from what i understand is mic level.)
Click to expand...

There it is.
 
Right, he says they aren't going through another pre, but I am betting he doesn't understand that the pres on his mixer count. Leaving the jumpers at mic level adds like 30db to the signal, which would explain the overloading.
 
You also Might be recording at too hot of a Level, I generally record at -20db and if I record at 0db I get bad clipping and the signal is too hot....

Just a Thought...:D
 
okay i'm getting even more confused here..


let me spell this out to make sure that i'm clear (because i think most of the confusion is coming from me not explaining myself)


line 1 and 2 are xlr inputs.. there is no mixer.. nothing going in there.. only the microphones.

i am using a mixer for 3,4,5,6,7,8.. using the pres on my mixer. from what i understand you HAVE to use a preamp for the rest of the channels

from what i understand the jumpers on line 1 and 2 work the only pres on this card. Default is set to mic level which is what it's at now. You can switch it to line level which by what I understand makes the channels the same as the rest (meaning you'll need a pre) Reggie, i don't understand how the pres on my mixer could count unless the jumpers affect all of the channels not just 1 and 2 (i am using ALL of the channels simultaneously)
 
important to note that ALL the channels are overloading not just 1 and 2


here's an example.. i posted a really rough track of us playing live (the 3rd song) (please excuse the poor playing.. this is really new and with a new drummer.. we wrote it just before I recorded it live off the floor)

www.myspace.com/poorlydrawnbirds

anyways the snare is the most obvious thing that's overloading.. you can hear it distorting on some hits.. the pre on my mixer and on the card is almost down to nothing.. never had this problem before.. the mic is a sm57 about 2" or so from the skin. I could probably still turn down the pre a bit but it just seems kinda rediculous
 
Sounds like maybe you have a bad card?
There is also some other setting in the delta control panel about consumer vs. pro settings - I think that changes the inputs back and forth between -10 to +4 .
Don't quote me on that, but you should check into that. That's the only other thing I can think of, besides maybe your drivers being corrupted (which is kind of a stretch).
 
shit.. i hope it's not a bad card.. although i'm sure i still have warranty for it.

I'm gonna mess around with it some more tonight.. hopefully it works out
 
With my Delta 1010lt I have to use Inline Pads on some of the Channels because some of my Pre"s have a Gain Range of 20db-52db so the lowest I can set these pre"s to is 20db which still overloads the Delta.....

What db level are you recording at???
 
Ah, OK that clears things up a bit. I guess you are just sending too much signal to the poor little card. Try changing the Variable Signal Level to +4 for the inputs and see if that buys you a little room, even if it is technically incorrect. Unfortunately for you, the "pres" on channels 1 & 2 of the card don't really have trim controls so you will either need to get some inline pads for your mics or put quieter signals on those channels.
 
thanks for all your help.. I'll get to the bottom of this.. When I really try as it is now I do end up getting usable levels.. but it's a little tricky.. i just figured something wasn't quite right.

overall i'm not overly impressed with the 1010lt.. I'm kicking myself for not ponying up the extra cash to get the regular 1010..
 
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