Volume match between A/D and mltrck digital recorder

[Papoola]

Dear All in my production chainI Have several possibilities to level and match the volume. In order of flow:
1-Synthetizer volume out(no hiss at any level)
2-A/D converter analog in (green/red led)
3-Digital multitrack recorder input trim
4-Digital multitrack recorder master fader
5-Digital multitrack recorder track fader

I try to describe how do I set each of them and I would appreciate your guidelines how to proceed having the best use of the bits

1-Max
2-just below the red
3-just below the red
4-0 level
5-0 level

Now, come to the problem. Doing so the sound is completely distrorted and clipped. I can also visually check this because the multitrac recorder meter is out of scale (full clipping and above)

The question is where to reduce the level. The two logical places for me are at the A/D input or at the multitrack track fader.
Due to the fact that the digital conversion is done inside the external A/D (before the multitrack) I would choose to stay here at the highest possible level to use all the bits in the conversion process.
In this way I should reduce the track fader level of the multitrack to keep things undistorted.(it will work as a mixer only,correct??)s

Is this the right way or better options ??
Tks for the help

 

[dobro]

Well, if the sound is 'completely distorted and clipped', it sounds like something is way out of whack.

Is everything in the chain operating at the same voltage level? Is everything either -10 dB or +4 dB?

 

[Papoola]

Here the specs

The A/D converter has:
analog input: Input impedence 47 Khom
Minimum sensitivity -17,5 dB (peak level)
Peak input level: +13,5 dB
Gain control range 35dB

Digital A/D output (I use the SPDIF out goint to Multitrack spdifIN)
Output impedence 75 Ohm
Peak output level 500 mV

The multitrack has:
Digital input: Optical SPDIF IEC 60958, EIAJ CP 1201

I have no other data here but from the input specs i can see:
Input impedence 10 Khom
Nominal level -60dBu trim max, +4dBu trim min.
Maximum level -48 dBu trim max, +16 dBu trim min
Source impedence 600 ohm

I also recopy what said in the A/D converter manual:
" In order to adjust levels as precisely as possible, you should activate your recording software's level meter.
We didn't equip the DI-Port with this type of visual display because for one, recording software is substantially better suited to carry out this function and, for the other, a high resolution led chain would have unnecessarily jacked up the price of the device."

I think I should try to have the best coversion bit per bit and i think will be necessary to have the A/D converter not far from the led red signal.
Pls comment

 

[dobro]

Let me explain what I meant more clearly. There are two operating levels in audio recording: -10 dB, and +4 dB. There's something like 12 volts difference between these, so if one part of your system is operating at -10 and another part of your system is operating at +4, you're going to have big problems with getting the levels right. Are you sure that all your equipment is operating at the same level?

 

[Papoola]

they are pro gear

So I do not see expect issues. Anyway all gears should accomodate one each other, isn't ??
By the way I ask assistance about conceptual to make the levels matching at the best.

I am able to match all my gear but i need to know if will be better to work on trim or faders or in of the A/D.
This was the question.
Tks

 

[sjoko2]

Keep your A/D relatively hot, but make sure you NEVER clip it.