1 Topic by sawsinepulse (edited by sawsinepulse 2022-12-08 18:57:24)

  • Registered: 2022-10-21
  • Posts: 23

Topic: Correct gain setting for Fireface UFX II inputs for Eurorack signals?

I'm new to TotalMix FX.  I will be recording Eurorack modular synthesizers, which have a high-intensity signal level.  So I want to lower whatever gain is applied to the incoming signal.

For the rear panel inputs on the Fireface UFX II, such as AN 1, do I set the gain level toggle to "Lo Gain" in TM FX?  This is equivalent to accepting a maximum signal level of +19dBu?

For the front panel MIC/LINE inputs, I was told by a friend who uses Eurorack to click the "Instr" button, that is, set it to 'Instrument' level.  But would I not want it to be 'line level', that is, without the pre-amp that is applied to instrument level signals coming in?  (That is, 'line level' comes in at a higher volume, which I would assume correspond to Eurorack signal levels).  But as I understand it, you need to set the Fireface input to 'instrument' in order for it to use the TRS input, not the XLR input on the front panel inputs.  Also, the manual says "The unbalanced TRS Line inputs [on the front panel]...handle levels from -21dBu up to +21 dBu, turning them into full level Line inputs."  So it would seem one can use them for high-signal-level line inputs.

Thanks for any help!

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2022-12-11 12:34:38)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,197

Re: Correct gain setting for Fireface UFX II inputs for Eurorack signals?

Useful would have been a link to the product or products manual to see the technical specs of the modules analog output.

From another forum I read, that signals from Eurorack modules are usually not higher than +19 dBu.

From the UFX II manual you see in
- ch 19.1, 19.2 and
- in the technical specs ch 39.1
that the max input levels
- of rear ports are +19 dBu and
- of front ports (XLR) +18 dBu.

If this is still not sufficient  you can also use the Instr inputs in the front (TRS plugs, unbalanced operation), which support even +21 dBu when the gain is set to minimum (8).

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14