• Registered: 2016-10-06
  • Posts: 12

Topic: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

Hello everyone,

I use my UFX+ with Dynaydui Bm5 mkII monitors. and i want to know what is recommanded for those.
In the rear of the speakers i can choose between -10dbv / 0 or + 4dbu

when i use +4dbu in both in the UFX and the speakers i hit the convorters a bit low because i need to do extreme attenuation for regular listening. something like -40/-50dbfs

With -10dbv i usualy do attenuations between -20 and - 30 in regular listening0. and i hit the convorters at -25dbfs'ich

But i remeber that there its also related to balanced and unmbalanced

Any ideas ?

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2016-11-01 16:23:05)

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Re: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

It will be balanced independend from the chosen output level.

I use with Geithain RL906D (using analog out 1/2 of UFX), +4, as otherwise the Monitors become too loud for me
when TM FX is being set to 0dB (which of course can easily accidently happen)
even if I trim down the potis to lowest settings on the Geithain monitors.

So turn down poti on your Monitors as low a possible.
Set TM FX to 0dB.
Choose a proper line level, so that its not too loud.
If possible I would choose Hi Gain, otherwise +4 or -10.

See also this discussion https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=4095
Selection "High Gain" seems to be closest to studio levels.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2016-10-06
  • Posts: 12

Re: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

Thanks !
the thing is i don't have a volume knob in the monitors .. only have the -10 0 and +4

so with your RL906D you set it at -10 then ? and you trim (analog attenuation)

if i got it right, it doesnt matter actually (quality wise) -10 . 0 +4 all the same ?

  • ramses
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Re: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

I would take care that 0 dB in TM do not harm your ears ! How you do that, doesn't matter.

This should have prio over all other things, where you most likely won't hear a difference anyway.

Look what combination of
- RME side: -10 dBV, +4 dBU, Hi Gain, +24 dBU
- Monitor side: -10, 0, +4
brings the best results, that a sudden change of i.e. setup (restore of a snapshot or workplace),
where the monitors might be (re-)set to 0dB in Totalmix Controlroom does not blow your ears.

If this doesn't work out well then I would set everything to either -10 oder +4 dBU,
leave TM at 0dB and then use a quality nalog monitor controller like this:
https://www.thomann.de/de/spl_2control_ … l_253570_0

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2016-10-06
  • Posts: 12

Re: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

100% right ! ears first.

I think that once i have the buget i'll buy a passive knob. I really like the sound that i have with the interface. But i had 3 big jumps of volume in the past 2 weeks. Plus, hitting a healty level is always better then -40/30dbfs (for the conversion). Correct me if i'm right.

The spl seem to be a good choice, are you using it ?

  • ramses
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Re: -10dBv or +4 dBu for Speakers

A tone engineer which I know where I had a rehearsal of 906 and 310 (Neumann) uses it and he is very happy with it.
And you have for phones the compensation making it sound more natural like from speakers.

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