S/PDIF Levels?

[Doublehelix]

I am not sure where to post this one:

I have a pretty nice CD player that I use in my studio to play reference CDs. I have always used the analog RCA jacks for playback, but finally decided to try the digital outs (S/PDIF) straight into my digital mixer. It sounds great, but it is pushing the level meters way into the red. Is there some way to attenuate this signal? There is no digital output control on the CD player end, and there appears to be no way to control the input levels on the mixer either...

Any suggestions here? Is this a normal occurance with these things?

 

[vinniesrs]

I don't know the answer to this one, but I'll take a guess. Since no one else has risked the embarassment.
Perhaps the output level is set to match the input on a home stereo? I might check into it a bit. maybe call a tech at the manufacturer and see.

 

[vinniesrs]

To continue, I have a couple other suggestions. First, see if you can put the signal through a rail by adapting it to 14. patch to digital from the tape out. You may lose audio because the signal is a very high freq. Also maybe wire in a pot. I am not a genius with the electrical, i must admit. But I would be curious to see if it works, and if it does I would scrutinize the audio I recieve.
Maybe someone with a better understanding of electrical engineering can elaborate upon, or correct this statement.

 

[realdynamix]

Originally posted by Doublehelix:
... but finally decided to try the digital outs (S/PDIF) straight into my digital mixer. It sounds great, but it is pushing the level meters way into the red.

Hey! This digital signal has no amplitude in which to change. It is what it is. I suspect this, the gain increase is in your board signal path. The reading you see on your player should be the same at the input portion of your mixer.

So, the additional gain must be in the monitor section of the board like the digital monitor gain control. Defeat all processing to these channels, check your routing, and use the shortest path. Make sure nothing in the signal path of the board is having an effect on the signal.

The digital signal should hit your digital input identical, and be routed to the D/A converter for your analog monitor control to your amp at normal levels. There is another thing, the signal could be going through more than one path to the monitor, acounting for extra level.

Just an opinion,
--Rick

 

[vinniesrs]

"Hey! This digital signal has no amplitude in which to change. It is what it is."

I did not know that. Neat-O.

Rick, if you can would you please explain the mechanics of this. How does this signal work. Is it akin to fiber-optic? ????