MOTUnation.com

Hi

I don't know if I'm being a complete idiot but I'm having a bit of a problem with my 828mkII (firewire).

I've got a mackie 1642VLZpro (it's not very pro though) and an 828mkII plus various other outboard bits - I'm using a dual G5 with Logic...

I thought I should calibrate my audio as I'm getting some decent monitors hence the confusion and this post.

So I run a test signal (sine @ 1Khz) out of logic into said Mackie - the output on Logic is reading right at the top of the meter at 0.0 - The front of the 828mkII is in the red though I assume it's not actually clipping but just at it's limit? (only a firewire cable in the chain at this stage).

So I get a signal of roughly -10db coming back in (mackie has all faders set to Unity & I'm using all balanced cables).

So when I mix down I'm losing a load of level (and dynamic response?) somewhere and thought I'd simply adjust the inputs on the MOTU 828mkII to compensate.

Does such a function exist (as I can't find it) or am I going insane?

Cheers

Del

Hi, forget about feeling an idiot, anyone can make the most insignificant mistake, after years of experience.

About the -10 db, check if your inputs and outputs are all set to the same nominal level, (+4 dBu or -10 dBv). Motu generally provides +4 dBu balanced outpus and inputs, and in some cases, the level is switchable. On the other hand, Mackie generally provides unbalanced output connections, exept for main outs and other main mixes buses. Check that if you are conecting a balanced output to a non balanced input, you are using non balanced cables or unblance them buy puting the negative and the ground wires to short circuit.
In the other way, unbalanced output to balanced input, generally you don't need to do anything but pluging the connector since the short circut takes place in the input jack.
Try that.
Cheers
Musca

Cuemix is your friend here. It has the +4/-10 switch on it's mixing panel.

HTH,
Stephen

Awesome, thanks for your help guys.... Sorted that one! (after 2 years!)

Also - seeing as I'm here a few other things I'm not sure about...

Should I have the input level of the motu lower than full tilt to leave headroom for mastering?

Finally, I have a MIDI Time Piece too..... A few people have told me that I should 'clock' from either MOTU rather than using the computers clock via logic??? I find this totally baffling and don't have a clue.... Would this make a difference?

Thanks again

Del

I calibrated my Ultralite and monitoring system according to Bob Katz' advice in his wonderful book "Mastering Audio".

I ran pink noise at -20 dBFS, -14 dBfs and -12 dBfs through the monitors, adjusting my SPL Volume2 controller for a SPL level (measured with a SPL meter at the listening position) reading of 83 dBC SPL.

The problem with the MOTU output level controls is that they work in the digital domain, so, for example, reducing signal input by 30 dB makes you loose about 10 bits of resolution. At least that's what I understood when I asked Motu technical support.