Question regarding Output Level of VTB-1 for Alan Hyatt

  • Thread starter Thread starter Meb
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Meb

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Alan,

I recently purchased a VTB-1 preamp and even more recently bought your C1 microphone. Let me first say, that I'm extremely happy with the sound quality of both. I am planning on posting a little more of my opinion about the C1 in comparison to other microphones I've tried on my voice sometime soon. But, first I have a question about the VTB-1.
I seem to have to crank the output level almost to it's maximum in order to get the volume I want into Cubase SX. Is this normal? I'm using 1/4 inch balanced Monster Cable to go from the 1/4 inch outputs on the VTB-1 to my Layla 20 soundcard. I have the Layla's Input levels set to +4 dBu. I have the impedance on the VTB-1 set to 200 and am not using the Tube Blend section. I usually end up setting the input to about 40 or so, but then in order to get a hot signal into Layla and into Cubase, I usually need to crank the Output of the VTB-1 almost to it's max to get close to 0 db. These are not screaming songs mind you, that I'm recording, they're probably medium loud, but is this normal?

I 'd appreciate any information you can give.

Thanks,

Meb
 
Meb

I guess I'm give this a bump to see if Mr. Hyatt will see it better. But, if anyone else with experience with the VTB-1 would like to answer, please feel free:D

Thanks!

Meb
 
Well, I don't know the VTB-1 or the Layla, but it seems to me that if you set the Layla for a -10 dBV nominal input level, rather than +4 dBu, you'd need about 12 dB less gain.

If that's what you want.
 
Meb said:
Alan,
I seem to have to crank the output level almost to it's maximum in order to get the volume I want into Cubase SX.

I 'd appreciate any information you can give.

Thanks,

Meb
Click to expand...

The VTB-1 is fine for +4 output, so I am not sure how the Layla is set, but try it using the VTB-1 XLR output as its impedance is 50 ohms per leg rather than the 1/4" output at 300 ohms.

Let me know if this works better. For what its worth, we have not had one bad VTB-1 yet. No failures so I am sure the unit is fine and just a matter of proper interfacing to get what you need.
 
Thanks sjjohnston and Alan, I appreciate the replies.

Alan, I will purchase an XLR cable and see if that helps. So, even though my current cable is balanced, since I'm coming out of the 1/4 inch TRS output on the VTB-1 instead of the XLR, that makes the level quite a bit lower? I know the specs are different on the different outputs on the VTB-1, but I'm not knowledgable enough to know how that effects things.

Thanks again,

Meb
 
Also, does this mean that I should only choose +4 if I'm using the XLR outs?

thanks,

Meb
 
darrin_h2000 said:
Whatever gets the job done, dude.
Click to expand...

You are correct, I know, but I'm just trying to understand things better. For example, would most engineers crank up the preamp all the way before they would change to -10? Or does it matter?

Thanks again,

Meb
 
Most engineers would just try it both ways and decide which way they prefer.
 
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