input volume

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:12 pm

i have no way of seting my input volume. Either I run the mic/guitar etc. into my MOTU 24i/o directly, and get a week signal, or I pass it through a preamp, that I cant control, and the signal is WAY too hot. I thought that cuemix would help with that, but it seems to be doing NOTHING about what gets sent to cubase. What do I do? Or can I do anything besides spend another grand or more on a board?

Smokehouse · Post by **Smokehouse** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:28 pm

The level setting in CueMix and Logic will have no effect on your record levels. The only control you have is the "+6 Boost" and "+10/-4" settings on Analog 1-8, and the front panel "Trim" knobs for Mic 1-2.

I think the idea is to adjust the output level of whatever source you're recording from. Most audio devices have some sort of output level control.

It has been noted that the gain on the Mic 1-2 channels are not very high, and that some people have to go pretty far on the trim control to get a good level, sometimes raising the noise level noticably.

dazzer · Post by **dazzer** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:00 am

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but with reference to Smokehouse's reply:

I just recorded vocals for the first time with my Ultralite and a SM58 and found that i needed to use the front-panel trim knob A LOT to increase the input to a reasonable level.

Smokehouse says that "it has been noted.." so I'm interested to hear if this is considered normal/an issue/something to complain to MOTU about.

msmith92 · Post by **msmith92** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:32 am

all of my preamps have a gain control. i set my guitar or bass amp loud to get the tube sound i like and mic it then adjust the preamp in my studio (which goes into my motu 2408 mk3) untill i get the desired level.

project · Post by **project** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:17 am

dazzer wrote:Not wanting to hijack the thread, but with reference to Smokehouse's reply:

I just recorded vocals for the first time with my Ultralite and a SM58 and found that i needed to use the front-panel trim knob A LOT to increase the input to a reasonable level.

I think that is normal for a dynamic mic. I had to boost large amounts on my onyx 1640 to get optimum recording levels on the sm57's i had.
But my amp is a 5watt tube amp and it is not very loud.

Dynamic mics usually are used for when you have a loud source. I.E on stage with your amp cranked up.

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:10 pm

I thank you all for your help. But as I am just using a 24i/o I have no trim nobs, that help didn't help......me. I'm using an 8 chanel board for my pre-amps, and just going out the in/out 1/4 inch connection. The sliders do nothing, however the gain does, but all but 1 knob are broken off. Nothing to grab even with pliers. Obviously I need a new way to input. Any ideas? Other than using another board. Things like guitar, bass, vox, etc. don't matter 'cause that's 1 input. I can deal with that. The issue I'm having is with drums.

msmith92 · Post by **msmith92** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:28 pm

focusrite octopre or octopre le
presonus digimax (they have a lite version too)

both of those items will give you 8 channels of class A preamps (with compressor/limiter features).

rockitcity · Post by **rockitcity** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:51 am

Brother_Dave wrote:I thank you all for your help. But as I am just using a 24i/o I have no trim nobs, that help didn't help......me. I'm using an 8 chanel board for my pre-amps, and just going out the in/out 1/4 inch connection. The sliders do nothing, however the gain does, but all but 1 knob are broken off. Nothing to grab even with pliers. Obviously I need a new way to input. Any ideas? Other than using another board. Things like guitar, bass, vox, etc. don't matter 'cause that's 1 input. I can deal with that. The issue I'm having is with drums.

If you are using the "Insert" or "direct out" from your board, the trim pot is the only way you can control your input level to the 24i/o. So, your answer is in front of you. Either replace the broken trim pots, or put some super glue on a popsicle stick so you have a way to control them.

Your equipment is broken. Fix or replace.

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:06 pm

Yeah.....pretty much figured that, but I was hoping for a PC related fix. Dosen't seem possible. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help with such a lost cause.

Jidis · Post by **Jidis** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:33 am

Dave,

Sorry for the dumb suggestion, but I guess you know they've got a trim control in the Steinberg mixers (separate from the main channel level)? It showed up in version 2 of Nuendo. Should be a small knob, to the right of a phase button or something at the top of the input channels.

I think you can get 'some' boost/cut at the input stage with that, if it's there. As suggested, the source stage is probably the correct place to fix that problem though.

Take Care,

George

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:52 pm

actually my 24i/o has NO nobs. none. zippo. zilch. It's definatly not a dumb suggestion. I just don't have that capability.

Jidis · Post by **Jidis** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:29 pm

Hey again,

No, I meant the software end of it. Nuendo (and I would guess Cubase) have a level control in the record path, which most people leave at the default. I was thinking maybe it could get you a few dB's since you mentioned Cubase.

What'd you break anyway??

It brings back memories of Peavey PA gear a few years ago, with pots that had a light green plastic 1/8" shaft and a nut, bolting the metal bodies into the mixer panel. They'd make a clean snap, just above the nut/panel, so there was absolutely nothing but a flat circle looking up at you.

I had to fix some for my Uncle's band.

George

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:03 am

1. Where do I find this elusive trim nob?

2. I didn't break anything. It was broken when I got it. But it is EXACTLY what yoiu described 1/8 inch and all. I simply need to put on new pots.

Jidis · Post by **Jidis** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:35 am

Funny you should ask

I think on that particular task, I was lazy and just moved one or two from lesser used areas of the board (there were a bunch to pick from). Your plan for swapping them properly is obviously the right route though. I've ordered faders from Peavey for something else after that, and they were very modestly priced (a few bucks total and shipped in a padded mailer envelope or something). The parts dept was very friendly as well. If it's not one of their's, there's probably a bunch of standard value audio taper pots which would fit anyway. Check Digikey, Mouser Electronics,etc. on the web if you can get in it to see what style they are. Those guys usually have full detailed drawings, with all the dimensions in their PDF catalogs.

Be careful if you end up having to match knobs to them. There are a few minor differences in the grooves on some of the non-"D" shaft pots. I've had 1/4" ones which didn't fit some of my knobs unless I pinched the shaft together with pliers beforehand. Someone "in the know" told me there was more than one standard for those teeth, but it may not be the same deal on the 1/8" stuff. Sorry I can't give you any specifics.

Good luck with it,

George

Brother_Dave · Post by **Brother_Dave** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:45 am

but what about the trim nob.
Is Nuendo better that Cubase?