Help request to understand levels...

[Topo]

I've been trying to figure out why the main out level on my Presonus StudioLive, does not match my record enabled stereo track in DP. The actual track, when recorded in DP, sounds exactly like the main mix straight out of the board, so I'm sending the correct signal to DP, it's just that the level is about 8 to 10db less.

As DP plays back my sequence, the SL main out levels are just below OL (overload), but my DP audio monitor on the return to a record enabled stereo track shows levels hovering between -12 and -6. This link is a generic view from the SL manual of what the main out meter looks like...it's not showing what I'm talking about above...the pic is just for reference to see how it displays the bd markings. http://users.gotsky.com/tlauria/SL_Meter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As another test, I've sent a 1k tone to DP and here is what I get in the audio monitor:
http://users.gotsky.com/tlauria/DP_Audio_1k_tone" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'm not sure what a 1k tone should look like there.

Anyway...would love some help sorting this out. I would have thought the meters in DP should match the boards output meters. Kindof makes me think I'm doing something wrong.
thanks

[magicd]

The audio monitor window of DP is looking at the sample it receives from the audio driver. DP has no control of level of that incoming signal.

Since I know what DP is doing, I'm inclined to trust the meter in DP.

If a clip of the front of the interface shows at -12db in DP, that makes me wonder if the signal is possibly being attenuated between the interface input and when that signal is handed off to the Core Audio driver. I would certainly hope the interface is not clipping at 12db below the top of the potential sample level!

I would check with the maker of the audio interface.
How are the front panel meters calibrated? Does the top LED actually represent overload?
Is it possible that the interface is attenuating the signal before it's handed off to the driver?

Dave

[Topo]

Hi Dave...I think a clip on the mixer shows in DP at about -6. I've contacted the manufacturer, but have, so far, gotten someone that either does not know much about the product, or doesn't care...or both. He has been very non-helpful. His last message was to pawn the issue off on DP. I'll ping him once more and ask if it's attenuating before it hits the driver. I would be fairly sure the answer is no to that.

When I've pushed the mixer into clipping a little more often, I don't hear any distortion, so I *do* wonder if OL has some headroom.

Is that where a 1k tone should show up in the audio monitor? I sent that tone to DP from a different interface.

[GWJen]

Both Presonus products I own, the M-80 and the Audiobox, each have something screwy about their meters or levels. The Audiobox starts digitally clipping at something like -10 dBu, meaning I need to turn down the volume pot on my guitar with the gain at minimum on the Audiobox. With the M-80 preamps, it will show signal in the red and yet a nominal level is being outputted. I have heard distortion under such a setup. So I would 1. Trust your meters in DP and 2. Run the Presonus products so that it's not in the red, literally. In other words, you will have to record at a lower volume. It's basically BS and bad products.

[Topo]

Yeah...I have the feeling that DP is right on, but it will be surprising if I get a response from presonus support that helps solve the issue. I've asked him to check with QA and engineering to see if they can confirm accuracy on their firewire output.
Sure, I'll live with it, but I've always thought it's important to hit the disk with lots of signal, and with DP, that's controlled by the incoming source. In this case, I'll have to use a plugin leveler, I guess, if I want to master.