• Registered: 2019-09-11
  • Posts: 14

Topic: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

hi all

I have a RME digiface running 3 ADAT front ends for all my analogue synths etc. It works great.

I upgraded my monitoring speakers to genelec that have the digital inputs and it can use GLM on windows to configure and change volume etc.

RME port 4 was changed to SPDIF and I used a lindy 70457 SPDIF to coax to convert from RME to the genelecs. Other amazon brands seems to have digital shash on the speaker until GLM initialised.

The default setup was 0 db on the genelecs but when I tried to send the signal it was super loud and I had to run TotalMix out to the genelecs at about 25%.

This was great but occasionally something would get changed an Master out would appear as 0db nearly crucified my ears and my speakers!

I changed the config on the GLM genelecs to ensure max volume was around -40db rather than 0. This made a safety net,

Is there a better way to do all this so that I can set GLM to default 0 db but not destroy my system LOL

thanks and sorry for the newbie question

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-05 17:02:12)

  • waedi
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

mindburner wrote:

I changed the config on the GLM genelecs to ensure max volume was around -40db rather than 0. This made a safety net,

Thats the way to go.
Adjust the volume levels and safe your ears.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2018-12-21
  • Posts: 444

Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

Or get something like the new ADI-2 Pro EX, it would give you physical volume control (also through IR remote) and many features like loudness, great headphone amplification with crossfeed etc.

  • ramses
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

hselters wrote:

Or get something like the new ADI-2 Pro EX, it would give you physical volume control (also through IR remote) and many features like loudness, great headphone amplification with crossfeed etc.

+1 Good idea.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • Registered: 2019-09-11
  • Posts: 14

Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

that's an awesome piece of kit. It might be overkill for me right now but Yes I want it.

  • Registered: 2023-02-27
  • Posts: 47

Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

Buy a Genelec 9310A volume knob. You can manage the volume via GLM from then on. It’s affordable and solves the problem perfectly.

7 Reply by mindburner (edited by mindburner 2026-07-06 20:02:25)

  • Registered: 2019-09-11
  • Posts: 14

Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

OHtaru wrote:

Buy a Genelec 9310A volume knob. You can manage the volume via GLM from then on. It’s affordable and solves the problem perfectly.

ah I didn't even realise such a thing existed. I will definitely order one

  • Registered: 2018-12-21
  • Posts: 444

Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

True, that's surely the cheapest option for just a volume control. If needed, they also sell the (overpriced) 9101B remote control. I don't have it, so not sure how things would stay in sync with the 9310A volume knob which hard stops.

For more features there's also 9320A which supports their personalized binaural monitoring... But at that price point, I would bring the RME ADI-2 Pro back into consideration.

  • stfn
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

Personally I use my Stream Deck with GLM kit for volume adjustment. I already had that one anyway, so it came in conveniently through MIDI control.

On this subject, does anyone know if I can hook up 8331s through the ADI DAC 2 FS's SPD/IF if I use a AES to SPDIF cable? I don't really know anything about this connection and I'm not sure if there would be any compromise in taking this approach.

  • waedi
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

stfn wrote:

if I can hook up 8331s through the ADI DAC 2 FS's SPD/IF

This is an input not output, I think it will not work.

The Lindy converter optical to cinch will do the job.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2018-12-21
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

You would need a SPDIF/AES Output to connect a speaker. Only the Pro series of the ADI-2's have those.

ADI 2 DAC FS can only connect to the speakers via XLR. I think it could still make sense if you want to use some of its features, like remote control or loudness function. Of course it would go through another round of (high quality) DA-AD conversion. I would be curious if you can make out any audible difference against a direct digital connection via SPDIF/AES.

12 Reply by stfn (edited by stfn 2026-08-04 22:51:30)

  • stfn
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

Thanks for the replies. Yeah even the Genelec support person who told me he works with them daily, told me he can't tell the difference. He said he wouldn't rule out that there are some people out there that can, but just that he himself wasn't able to. I doubt I'll be able to do so either then.

It's just that the HQPlayer software creator told me I should always be using digital if I want to use HQPlayer. So I was trying to figure out if I could make it work somehow without new purchases.

I'll look at that Lindy. Thanks.

  • waedi
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

stfn wrote:

I'll look at that Lindy. Thanks.

I thought you have already one, but then I see the OP is not you, sorry.

Do you have a interface beside the ADI-2 ?
If not, then better use analog connection, there is no big benefit using digital connection today.

ADI-2 provide best analog signal and Genelecs brings superbe sound either way.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • stfn
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Re: RME digiface, totalFX and my new Genelec 8331's

waedi wrote:
stfn wrote:

I'll look at that Lindy. Thanks.

I thought you have already one, but then I see the OP is not you, sorry.

Do you have a interface beside the ADI-2 ?
If not, then better use analog connection, there is no big benefit using digital connection today.

ADI-2 provide best analog signal and Genelecs brings superbe sound either way.

No worries, I sorta hijacked the thread after all.
Appreciate the input. Yeah I won't bother then. It was mainly because of the HQPlayer thing. I wasn't really impressed by it anymore since using it with my Genelecs, while it used to blow me away when I used it on my headphones. So I was wondering if it  might have been a connection thing. Currently the Genelecs sound better to me when I dont use HQPlayer at all.