:-(

Workaround for a computer based environment

http://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/inde … ort-DE-EN/

Not sure whether this has big impact.

Same would happen with an "UFX+ only" environment without ADI-2 Pro behind it.

To be on the safe side you can leave volume on RayDAT or other device at 0dB which reflects your usual listening volume and fine tune volume at ADI-2 Pro.

Maybe RME could kindly comment to your question whether turning volume down on ARC USB at RayDAT  would have impact to the digital signal quality towards ADI-2 Pro, as I can only suggest this kind of "workaround".

Can you define degrading? And what it really means?

The new manual 1.7 (most probably released today) includes a new chapter where the digital volume control is explained in detail. Talking about volume control in front of the output device there is no need for 32 bit, nor any degradation of the audio signal quality. SPDIF/AES gives you 144 dB of dynamic range (max SNR). With the ADI-2 Pro it means you cannot hear any noise. Now when reducing the level in front of the DAC you still can't hear any noise. Low level signals will vanish below the hearing threshold, but that is the same as when you reduce the signal after the DAC (and is also happening at 0 dB volume - do some real world checks on the maximum dynamic range in hearing in your listening situation).

The often mentioned loss in resolution as 'graininess, low level distortion and loss of background information' simply doesn't exist when digital volume is done correctly. This is explained in the manual by measuring deeply into the noise floor, with signals fully undistorted at -190 dBFS (!). And yes, this is still 24 bit.

Higher quality/bit depths are only necessary within the DAW, to avoid signal loss when you attenuate a lot and later decide to amplify it back to the original level. A totally different topic than a volume control in front of the output device.

Thanks for the information. Good to know that the workaround with totalmix + controller as a remote volume control before die ADI-2 pro would work perfectly fine. I don't want the ADI 2 pro directly on my working desk, using it's pot to control my volume. I want it in near my speakers and want to use a remote on my desk.

I also love a remote because it's easier and cheaper to exchange (no down times when damaged, you can still operate without a remote) and prevent physical stress for the ADI. Turning a volume knob 8 hours a day over years is wearing for every device.

I would even think about to promote this workaround on the ADI 2 Pro information on your web page. I think it may attract some people which were initially disappointed because of the missing remote like me.

Furthermore...

I think it's absolutely great that you share such information. Such questions may be sound stupid for you when you hear them so often, but there is so much half knowledge in the audio community that it's even difficult  for a scientific minded person to know what the facts are. We need explanations and education like that!

My worry was exactly what MC wrote , possible grainy sound, loss of details. Like when you hear a sampler with old 12bit or something were you really have a grainy artifical sound compared to the source  Very good to know that it's really all about noise floor for digital attenuation when done right, that's much less frightening, because it's way easier to detect.  .

Also thanks for the very pragmatic example by Daniel that even 60db attenuation (that can happen late at night here) is no problem at all in a listening environment, were the signal is of course not amplified after the DAC again before the loudspeaker (you want the volume lower...).

But I have one remaining question, what does MC means with 'digital volume is done correctly'. I would be very interested to understand the problem and how it should be done correctly. Is this already the case for the old Multiface?

All right, thanks again MC!

Now, there is an solution for volume control

Buy the new unit. :-(