Gain Staging in the Motu

[jerjabs]

have a UA 710 mic pre going directly into a Motu Ultralite. When the UA's output level is showing 0 (unity gain), the Motu's Q-Mix meter shows -9ish. When I boost the Motu's trim +7 both units show unity gain 0. Is this the way it should be or is there a setting inside the Motu software that will automaticly balance the signal???

If there is How EXACTLY do I do this? I have searched and I cannot find a Motu Ultralite user's manual online at all!

Thanks

[rodger1811]

Keep in mind that the meter on the 710 is in dBVU. So 0 dBVU which is roughly equivalent to -12 dBFS and -18 dBFS which is what the meters in your DAW will display. dBVU meters are average and the meters in a DAW are generally PEAK meters.

So to make it simple, unity gain out of your preamp should read roughly -12dBFS on your DAW.

[jerjabs]

Keep in mind that the meter on the 710 is in dBVU. So 0 dBVU which is roughly equivalent to -12 dBFS and -18 dBFS which is what the meters in your DAW will display. dBVU meters are average and the meters in a DAW are generally PEAK meters.

So to make it simple, unity gain out of your preamp should read roughly -12dBFS on your DAW.

Is -12dBFS a good signal level to record at, or do I need to turn up the trim on the Q-mix?

[rodger1811]

Keep in mind that the meter on the 710 is in dBVU. So 0 dBVU which is roughly equivalent to -12 dBFS and -18 dBFS which is what the meters in your DAW will display. dBVU meters are average and the meters in a DAW are generally PEAK meters.

So to make it simple, unity gain out of your preamp should read roughly -12dBFS on your DAW.

Is -12dBFS a good signal level to record at, or do I need to turn up the trim on the Q-mix?

That's a GREAT level to record at! If your record levels ride there, you still have room for peaks without going over. That's exactly where I try and keep my riding levels. You'll be surprised just how much better everything sounds. One important thing is to make sure that you're recording at 24bit. If you're recording at 16bit, then you'll have to record hotter because of the noise floor. Recording at 24bit, eliminates that problem and gives you better room for post recording processing.

[rodger1811]

By the way, Cuemix has really nothing to do with your record levels. If you're using DP, watch your "Input Monitor" and if you're not, make sure that you're watching the levels that actually reach your interface. Keep a close eye on your preamp as well because you can clip prior to the input on your interface as well. If you can master gain staging, that's half the battle to great sounding recordings.