Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
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waz
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Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 5:01 pm
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Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

I've been having nothing but problems with this Ultrlite Mk3. The random pops and clicks I can handle, but the clipping issue is infuriating.

Here is the scenario;
I have a session opened in Reaper at 88.2. I have two line ins from my synth at line level. I record a drone and anything over -10db clips. I try recording louder and it clips. I record at lower volumes and try to bring up the volume in post and it clips. What gives? Clipping should be indicated by my DAW not my AI. Any advice? I shouldn't be clipping at these levels. Is there a way to relinquish ALL control to my DAW? Thanks in advance!

This is super frustrating because MOTU offers no help when you call them.
waz
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Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 5:01 pm
Primary DAW OS: Windows

Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

I should also point out that if I adjust the trims in cuemix to 0, my line-level signal hovers around -20db. Way too quiet.
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billf
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by billf »

waz wrote: I have a session opened in R••••• at 88.2.
I have no idea what application that is. Is it a Windows app?

Anyway, what happens if you try a sample rate of 44.1? Any difference? In Windows is there a systems level setting for devices?
MacPro5,1 2012, six core 2 x 3.06, 10.12.5, Digital Performer 9.13, 40 gb ram, 828mkIII, 2408 mkII, MTP AV, Logic Pro X 10.3.1, Studio One v 3.2, Pro Tools 12.7.1
waz
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

It's r e a p e r.
waz
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

I have my volume analyzer up in R E A P E R and it looks like its clipping on the master channel at around -11/-10 db. I opened this up in ableton and am having the same results. It should clip ONLY in the DAW and well above -10db. I get no red light or indication of clipping other than hearing it.
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MIDI Life Crisis
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by MIDI Life Crisis »

Sounds pretty Grim to me. :sorry:
2013 Mac Pro 32GB RAM

OSX 10.14.6; DP 10; Track 16; Finale 26, iPad Pro, et al

MIDI LIFE CRISIS
waz
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:Sounds pretty Grim to me. :sorry:
How so?
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MIDI Life Crisis
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by MIDI Life Crisis »

waz wrote:
MIDI Life Crisis wrote:Sounds pretty Grim to me. :sorry:
How so?
It's a play on words...

Image
2013 Mac Pro 32GB RAM

OSX 10.14.6; DP 10; Track 16; Finale 26, iPad Pro, et al

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HCMarkus
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by HCMarkus »

Difficult to analyze without knowing exactly what equipment you are using (signal chain) and where the clipping is occurring. Sounds like you may have a gain-staging issue somewhere along the line.
waz
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Re: Clipping! Headaches! Frustration!

Post by waz »

I have a stereo signal coming from my modular synthesizer at line level going into the MOTU channels 6&7. If I increase the level in my DAW (R E A P E R) it begins to clip at around -10db. Are there gain stages in windows I'm not seeing? I have the cue mix setup properly I think. Trims are all at 0. Any suggestions?
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