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Was that an informative topic, or what?

Anyway, I'm currently using a Soundcraft Spirit Studio 24 desk going into an Alesis HD24, using the direct out/returns on each channel.
Now, this is wonderful except for the fact that when the desk is overdriving, the HD24's meters are, of course, showing -16dB (or thereabouts (not the most accurate)).
This has worked fine, so far, by adjusting the tape returns on the desk and/or mixing on computer and normalising/raising the levels.

Still, I always feel like I'm wasting bits.

My question is: Is there some sort of transformer-type, level-adjusting, multi-channel thingy on the market that would give me a higher level into my HD24, or am I talking crap?

Thanks in advance,

Robby
http://www.robbycollins.com

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Davedog Wed, 04/28/2004 - 17:27

Open the channel gain more. I have a Ghost into an HD24 and theres not ever a problem with gain.I have to watch my gain staging closely at recording to avoid any of those crappy sounding digital overs.I usually get the Alesis up to around -3 and then I'm happy...Some signals, however, sound better if its cruisin along at +6 or so....as long as no red shows I'm cool....the Alesis is SERIOUS when it shows red but other than that its all good.

anonymous Thu, 04/29/2004 - 09:01

robbyc23 wrote: Was that an informative topic, or what?

Anyway, I'm currently using a Soundcraft Spirit Studio 24 desk going into an Alesis HD24, using the direct out/returns on each channel.
Now, this is wonderful except for the fact that when the desk is overdriving, the HD24's meters are, of course, showing -16dB (or thereabouts (not the most accurate)).
This has worked fine, so far, by adjusting the tape returns on the desk and/or mixing on computer and normalising/raising the levels.

According to page 32 (34 in the pdf) of the manual I downloaded off of the Spirit web site: The tape sends (of the mixer) come factory configured for -10dBv output.

The HD24 wants to see a +4dBu nominal input level. According to the mixer manual, you can change the ouput level to +4dBu by removing a couple of resistors. The difference between -10dBv and +4dBu is about 12db. So the change will get you about 12dB more to the recorder.