Topic: O/P Level of Fireface 802 to Adam A7X?
Hi All,
New owner of Fireface 802, and ARC USB remote control (March 12, 2019). Updated 802 firmware to latest, and installed latest version of Total Mix (mid-March 2019). (WIN 10 (1803)).
Using ADAM A7Xs as my main monitor speakers. Small bedroom studio (10 ft. X 15 ft.). Standard off the shelf Mogami 2534 cable - balanced TRS out of back of 802, balanced XLR into ADAMs. I sit about 4 ft. from each speaker.
Having trouble getting O/P levels I can comfortably work with. I like to mix and monitor at @82dBs.
I read Matthais post in the Tips and Tricks section about level setting (twice in fact), and watched the video referenced at the end of the thread.
Use both Pro Tools 2018.7 and Studio One 4.1.3.
Used BlueSky test files ("1 khz sine wave -20 dBFS," and "500-25-Hz pink noise -20dBFS") and check levels with my sound level meter, to calibrate my setup. Made sure all my DAWs internal meters were set to RMS, and that Total Mix's meters were set to RMS/RMS+3.
With my previous interface (APOLLO Twin USB) I would have the ADAMS set at 0dB - Unity Gain (12 o'clock on the volume dial). I'd play my test files, with the UAD Console's MON LEVEL set to 20dBu, and adjust the APOLLO's output volume knob to about 10 o'clock which would give me @82dB listening levels.
Tried the same test with Total Mix. All internal meters set to 0db (Software Playback AN1/2, and Control Room AN1/2). Control Room's AN1/2 channel level set to +4dBu. Play my test files, and adjust the volume knob on the ADAM speakers until I read @82dbs on my Sound Level Meter. The knobs on the ADAMs are now at about 10 o'clock. Great.
But...
When I play my mixes through either of my DAWs (or play SoundCloud files or YouTube videos), the result is too loud (for me) - I read @87-89 dBs on my sound level meter.
Not sure why. I end up turning down the CONTROL ROOM AN1/2 output channel's gain or switch that channel's Level to -10dBV. That gets me closer to where I thought I would be, but even with the channel level's change to -10dBV, I still end up bringing the O/P channel's gain down another -3 to -5dB).
As noted, I read Matthais post about using a line attenuator, and of course I know I can turn down the master volume on my monitors even more. That's all well and good.
But I'm curious as to why when I set my levels using the calibration files, all seems well, and it appears I'm getting an @82db level at +4dBu and 0 gain on the AN1/2 output channel - but yet when I actually play back audio through the 802 - it plays back much louder than expected.
What am I doing wrong?
If there are any ADAM A7X owners out there, could you share where you are setting your speaker's master volume dial and output channel's level setting when using your RME interface?
BTW, same calibration, and playback results with both Pro Tools, and Studio One.
Thanks,
Danny V.