• Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Topic: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Hi
I recently (yesterday) bought a FireFace UC and something struck me as odd when I took a look at the noise level of the hardware input in Totalmix.
The different channels have different noise floor it seems. And what strikes me as even mor odd is that the noise floor level changes constantly.
The numbers are almost oscillating. Is this normal? I noticed that the fps is changing, is this the problem?
I haven't tested recording anything yet so I'm not sure if the input is effected.

My setup is MacBook Pro 2011 13", OSX 10.6 (latest update), nothing else in the USB-ports.
FireFace is latest Firmware and driver (downloaded yesterday).

I searched the forum for a similar experience and found this post:
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6491
but this is not really the same thing.


http://s24.postimg.org/f0bql3v1d/dump1.png

http://s24.postimg.org/p7u9xih9d/dump2.png

http://s24.postimg.org/6yiwpgmw1/dump3.png

http://s24.postimg.org/3mp79wkip/dump4.png

http://s24.postimg.org/qllwstgip/dump5.png

http://s24.postimg.org/miqafzx0h/dump6.png

http://s24.postimg.org/8svr779wh/dump7.png

http://s24.postimg.org/efs44ocf5/dump8.png

http://s24.postimg.org/96x36su01/dump9.png

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,565

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

This looks quite normal, and yes, values will fluctuate a bit.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Up to +-8db?
The worst channels are ch 3-4.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,565

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Where do you see +/-8? If you are referring to the difference between Totalmix and Digicheck, it will be because DC is set to show Peak, not RMS values.
Indeed the noise level on 3&4 is minimally higher, same on my device here (-105 vs. -109).


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 24,913

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

And also mentioned in the manual, Tech Specs.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Well, sorry about that. My example wasn't clear enough on that point, but I have gotten values as low as -95 up to -105 on ch 3-4. I guess this is still normal?

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,565

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Without changing the channels' gain settings or unticking the "RMS Level" option in the View Options? Just within Totalmix, and with nothing connected? That would be unusual.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

No settings changed, but during different sessions (after booting device). Values often change 3-4db within one session. So I get 94-98 one time, 99-102 another, and so on.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,565

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Only on 3/4, all others stay at -109? Can you provide a screenshot (and possible a short recording)?

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

I will try to reproduce it later today.

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

For the moment I can't seem to reproduce noise levels around 94-99. At every boot it stays around 100-105. This is only ch 3-4, ch 1-2 stay at 109, ch 5-6 around 105-109.

12 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

94-99 sound like you used 96/88.2 kHz, or had some gain applied.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2013-05-16
  • Posts: 14

Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Don't think so, but I could be wrong. I'll keep you posted if I experience any problems in the future.
Thank you for your fast and detailed responses. I'm glad I changed from MOTU to RME.

14 Reply by MC

  • MC
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  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: Input Noise Level - Faulty unit?

Off-topic posts removed. Please don't discuss competitor products on the RME forum.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website