Topic: Recording Volume is Very Low

I'm using a iFi phono preamp into a ADI2 Pro FSr. I'm trying to record my vinyl albums with Vinyl Studio at DSD256using USB.

The recorded volume is extremely low. Previously recorded music with the Korg DS DAC 10R is much louder.

I've tried setting the Line In to +24 using Remote Software and the gain to +6.0 using the ADI2, but this did not change the volume.

How can I increase the recorded volume?

Cheers,
Rick

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

Instead of Line In +24 I would try the opposite setting +1 for a test

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

waedi wrote:

Instead of Line In +24 I would try the opposite setting +1 for a test

I've tried all 4 setting plus AUTO, none of them changes the recording level in Vinyl Studio.

VS has a slider for volume, but it's greyed out for DSD.

Rick

4 (edited by KaiS 2026-05-14 23:02:26)

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

The ifi ZEN Phono 3, with 36 dB at MM setting, has quite low gain.

With an (assumed you are using one) typical MM pickup (5 mV output) you get about -8 dBu level.
Therefore, set ADI-2 Pro’s Reference Level for the analog input to the most sensitive setting of +4 dBu.

BTW: With a Pentaconn to 2x XLRm balanced interconnection you can achieve a 6 dB higher level.

Other ADI-2 settings (like digital gain) don’t matter for DSD, as DSD in general doesn’t allow any digital processing.
This is one reason why I’m not the biggest fan of the DSD format and prefer PCM 96 or 192 kHz sample rate.

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

I have the iFi Zen Phono. When I set it to MC High I got a much higher level. I also set on the ADI2 the Line Input to +4, this also helped.

The Remote Software still says it's DISCONNECTED. How do I fix this problem.

Thanks for the help, it's greatly appreciated !!!

Rick

6

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

Use the latest firmware version, then make sure MIDI is set to ON in SETUP, Options, Device Mode / DSD - MIDI Control.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

7 (edited by KaiS 2026-05-15 16:23:50)

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

Indy33 wrote:

I have the iFi Zen Phono. When I set it to MC High I got a much higher level. I also set on the ADI2 the Line Input to +4, this also helped.

Watch out for the correct impedance matching:
MM pickups should only be used with the MM-setting, or you will get a weird sound.

Typical MCs can be used in either switch position, for them it’s only the gain that matters, the various load impedances don’t effect the sound in case of the ifi’s.

ADI-2 Pro’s +4 dBu Ref Level is the best match in your case.

Consider the ifi Pentaconn-to-XLRs cable that ifi offers as spare:
https://shop.wodaudio.com/produkt/ifi-a … DqEALw_wcB

https://shop.wodaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ifi_44-XLR_1000_580_1.jpg

Less expensive:
https://www.audiocables.eu/products/mog … cbn2M7_kOk

https://www.audiocables.eu/cdn/shop/products/MogamiBalancedCablePentacon5polesTRRRSto2MaleXLR_1100x.jpg?v=1654452329

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

MC wrote:

Use the latest firmware version, then make sure MIDI is set to ON in SETUP, Options, Device Mode / DSD - MIDI Control.

Firmware is up to date and MIDI is on, but it still says disconnected.

Ideas?

Cheers,
Rick

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

More details about the setup, please. Mac or PC?

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

10 (edited by Indy33 2026-05-15 21:40:38)

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

RME Support wrote:

More details about the setup, please. Mac or PC?

Windows 10 22H2

USB Cable
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C9YDY3Y

USB 2.0 port on Gigabyte b460m-ds3h Motherboard
https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/ … 816c6aa2c7

Tried a different USB port, no change.
.

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

KaiS wrote:

Watch out for the correct impedance matching:
MM pickups should only be used with the MM-setting, or you will get a weird sound.

Typical MCs can be used in either switch position, for them it’s only the gain that matters, the various load impedances don’t effect the sound in case of the ifi’s.

ADI-2 Pro’s +4 dBu Ref Level is the best match in your case.

Fixed, set to MM on the iFi Zen Phono

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

KaiS wrote:

ADI-2 Pro’s +4 dBu Ref Level is the best match in your case.

The ADI2 was automatically going back one step from +4 with the MC setting. After changing it to MM, then the +4 stuck. Looks much better now.

Thanks !

Cheers
Rick

13 (edited by KaiS 2026-05-16 21:02:17)

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

Indy33 wrote:

The ADI2 was automatically going back one step from +4 with the MC setting. After changing it to MM, then the +4 stuck.

Once settled, better switch off ADI-2’s analog input‘s Auto Ref Level.

Else e.g. the pulse from lowering the needle on the disc might unnecessarily force ADI-2 to switch to a lower gain again (= higher Reference Level).

Re: Recording Volume is Very Low

KaiS wrote:

Once settled, better switch off ADI-2’s analog input‘s Auto Ref Level.

Else e.g. the pulse from lowering the needle on the disc might unnecessarily force ADI-2 to switch to the a lower gain again (= higher Reference Level).

You're right it had reset to a lower level, so I'm recording Norah Jones again.


Auto Ref Level is off now.

Rick