• Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 9

Topic: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

I'm having a problem with a recently purchased FF400. Whenever I launch or close Cubase 4 or SX3, or reset the device from the ASIO panel, every output fader level jumps to +1dB. So every time I launch Cubase I have to go into the Fireface Mixer and re-select a preset. Worse than this, sometimes the FF400 powers up with random outputs set to +1dB. These cannot be adjusted simply by instigating a preset in the Fireface Mixer, rather they need to be 'woken up' by either using a fader in the software or by directly accessing the machine. Additionally I have had a couple of kernel panics which I am reasonably confident are due to the FF400.

I can't say for sure as I haven't had the device long, but it's possible these issues arose after the last flash update. Is it possible to roll back to a previous firmware revision? Is anyone else experiencing this?

2 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,599

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

That is a known problem. When Cubase starts it sets the CoreAudio volumes to +1 dB (nobody knows why). As the FF400 TotalMix is (intentionally) coupled to the CA volume, all faders move up.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

MC wrote:

That is a known problem. When Cubase starts it sets the CoreAudio volumes to +1 dB (nobody knows why). As the FF400 TotalMix is (intentionally) coupled to the CA volume, all faders move up.

Hello! This is my first post smile
Unfortunately i have the same problem, and i ask myself what you mean with "nobody knows why".
Does something like this exist in your world?
I mean this is about a bug in a digital envornment.
Just a question.
In the meantime the fireface mixer has always to be in my focus so that i dont get digital over from these f?%$* +1db

BTW i am happy with the rest of that product wink

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

useruser wrote:
MC wrote:

That is a known problem. When Cubase starts it sets the CoreAudio volumes to +1 dB (nobody knows why). As the FF400 TotalMix is (intentionally) coupled to the CA volume, all faders move up.

Hello! This is my first post smile
Unfortunately i have the same problem, and i ask myself what you mean with "nobody knows why".
Does something like this exist in your world?
I mean this is about a bug in a digital envornment.
Just a question.
In the meantime the fireface mixer has always to be in my focus so that i dont get digital over from these f?%$* +1db

BTW i am happy with the rest of that product wink

Any news on this topic? anyone? workaround? other forum? gearsluts? ???

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,599

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

Use system output for FF400 too and the error will not show up.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

6 Reply by useruser (edited by useruser 2009-06-30 09:32:23)

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

MC wrote:

Use system output for FF400 too and the error will not show up.

Hello Matthias!
Thanks for your quick reply!

I am using the system output through the FF400 all the time. So this doesn't help.

Did i get you wrong?

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

MC wrote:

Use system output for FF400 too and the error will not show up.

Could you plese describe this a little more in detail?

Many thanks in advance!

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

useruser wrote:
MC wrote:

Use system output for FF400 too and the error will not show up.

Could you plese describe this a little more in detail?

Many thanks in advance!

Still waiting for reply smile

  • Registered: 2009-12-09
  • Posts: 1

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

Hello, I am another FF400 user driven crazy everyday because of this OSX/Cubase/RME behavior....
I found out that switching to RME in system preferences helps , but I hate hearing system sounds thru my big monitors smile and sometimes I use built in output (for alternative monitoring, Skype- or simply when I use my MBP outside of the studio) so I would like to use RME for professional work with Cubase and have system output switched to built-in for other apps and NOT having to remember I need to switch it back to RME before opening Cubase...
I am a long time RME user and I know that you are famous for great customer care... please answer this question:
How to get rid of this annoying bug? Is it OSX problem or Cubase problem? Let me know who is to blame and I will write to them:) ... Anyway could you just make FF ignore this ? +1 dB is really stupid ( I would understand 0db for reset smile but +1.....
I have almost blown my monitors (and my ears) up because of this sad
please help

  • Registered: 2009-01-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

robertszydlo wrote:

Hello, I am another FF400 user driven crazy everyday because of this OSX/Cubase/RME behavior....
I found out that switching to RME in system preferences helps , but I hate hearing system sounds thru my big monitors smile and sometimes I use built in output (for alternative monitoring, Skype- or simply when I use my MBP outside of the studio) so I would like to use RME for professional work with Cubase and have system output switched to built-in for other apps and NOT having to remember I need to switch it back to RME before opening Cubase...
I am a long time RME user and I know that you are famous for great customer care... please answer this question:
How to get rid of this annoying bug? Is it OSX problem or Cubase problem? Let me know who is to blame and I will write to them:) ... Anyway could you just make FF ignore this ? +1 dB is really stupid ( I would understand 0db for reset smile but +1.....
I have almost blown my monitors (and my ears) up because of this sad
please help

And much worse: If you don't watch and reset those +1db you can get digital overs in some configurations.
But i fear we will not get a usefull answer. I tried many times!

  • Registered: 2008-04-28
  • Posts: 35

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

Finally: in Cubase 5.5 there's an option to not change the core audio levels. Under "devices", where you adjust the buffer size, there's an option "Set device attentuation to 0db" which can be unchecked. The levels in Totalmix will then stay where they were when starting Cubase - without any workaround.

Cheers, Rob

Nuendo 12.0.40, RME Madiface XT, MacMini 2018, 3.2ghz 6 core i7, 32gb ram, Monterey 12.5.
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,774

Re: FF400 mixer levels jump +1dB on reset

Good information, thanks.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website