Hi, need some help pls. Recently purchased a 1602. Have plugged in a number of working mics (SM57.SM58, SE x1r, Rode NT1 condeser with phantom power) using various working cables (XLR > XLR, XLR > TRS). Followed the user guide to the letter ( I think). Tried turning everything off and on again. The input volume on mics are too low to be useable. Using an SM58 with the trim knob at midday, the input metering only goes to -44. If I dime the trim knob it gets to -40. Cant hear anything useful back through the speakers/headphones at those levels (although the signal is getting to them). I've attached a pic showing what buttons Ive got selected, with an SM58 is plugged into channel 3. Im plugged into a PC with a firewire cable and have good sound playing through my monitors from my PC using some audio I loaded into Studio One. Please help! PS: Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move if so! |
Ok, let me try another approach:
What dB reading would you expect on the input meter with an SM58 using an XLR cable with the trim pot at midday? Are their any button combinations that might reduce this level? Does the fact I'm connected to a pc running Studio One via a FireWire port factor into the input level? What about the universal control software? Thanks |
Input level for an analog source is determined by the preamp gain. I usually target about 2/3 on the input meters to get a good signal. You really only need be concerned with the s/n ratio. If you have a good signal and no noise, the volume can be raised digitally in the daw. Where is the main fader set, and where is the main gain (rear of the mixer) set? These will also affect monitoring volume.
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Thanks for the response Matthew!
All faders are at unity (ie 0, as can be seen in the pic). Raising it in the DAW isn't a solution for live mixing, anyway -44 input dB is far too low to monitor yourself during any recording. It's not like the mics are unusually low powered -the SM57s brand new as well. Haven't touched the main gain from unboxing, and the audio from my PC using FireWire is at a good level. What else should I check? Could it be a pad or compressor or something in the fat channel someone's inadvertantly activated, and if so is there a factory reset? |
Thanks Wahlerstudios but that's not a FireWire button, they're channel select buttons and they have no effect on the input metering.
However It might be because the FireWire return is routing the input through universal control on my pc before it hits the pre in the 1602, and my levels might be down in universal control...although I'd be surprised if it routed like that. I'll try. |
The FireWire button is located left above the pan indicator. With this button you select the input source for each channel. For channels 1 and 2 your picture shows FireWire on, but for the microphone channel FireWire needs to be turned off. Also make sure that channel 3 is not linked with channel 4.
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Read The Manual !!!
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Please add your specs to your SIGNATURE. Search the STUDIO ONE 6 ONLINE MANUAL. Access your MY.PRESONUS account. OVERVIEW of how to get your issue fixed or the steps to create a SUPPORT TICKET. Needs to include: 1) One Sentence Description 2) Expected Results 3) Actual Results 4) Steps to Reproduce. AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 8-Core 3.90 GHz Windows 10 64bit Home, MacBook Pro + Mini Big Sur, SO 5.5 Pro, SO 6.1.1 Pro, LUNA, Cubase 10.5 Pro, SLIII32, 24.4.2, 16.0.2 FW, Quantum 2626, Faderport 8, FaderPort 16, Atom, Atom SQ, Console 1+Fader 1, UA Apollo Twin TB/USB, Toontrack, NI Komplete 12, ++ |
On the pic it only shows channel 1 and 2 (linked) being selected (and very blurry) and the 3 channel you talk about ?
Check that you haven't the the FireWire engaged on channel 3 by pressing select and look. Would be good to see a pic of what you talk about instead of your 1 and 2's. and a little less blurry. Me mentioning to read the manual (done it at least 25 times or more) is what it is, a friendly advice from one fellow to another if you read what's above there is some other too. Me for one set the gain to 10 o'clock'ish for condensers and SM57/58 at around 2 o'clock'ish to get in the ballpark. Check your FireWire and that the Link is 0 in the display. Your own mention of the UC is also a good place to look if you accidental have all the faders down in there., check if it is 44 kHz or 48 kHz too. Last, more info about your system can help, what FireWire type/brand you use and such. and of course reading 2.1 to 3.1
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Please add your specs to your SIGNATURE. Search the STUDIO ONE 6 ONLINE MANUAL. Access your MY.PRESONUS account. OVERVIEW of how to get your issue fixed or the steps to create a SUPPORT TICKET. Needs to include: 1) One Sentence Description 2) Expected Results 3) Actual Results 4) Steps to Reproduce. AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 8-Core 3.90 GHz Windows 10 64bit Home, MacBook Pro + Mini Big Sur, SO 5.5 Pro, SO 6.1.1 Pro, LUNA, Cubase 10.5 Pro, SLIII32, 24.4.2, 16.0.2 FW, Quantum 2626, Faderport 8, FaderPort 16, Atom, Atom SQ, Console 1+Fader 1, UA Apollo Twin TB/USB, Toontrack, NI Komplete 12, ++ |
benrippingale wroteHowever It might be because the FireWire return is routing the input through universal control on my pc before it hits the pre in the 1602, and my levels might be down in universal control...although I'd be surprised if it routed like that. I'll try. If you have the FireWire selected on a channel the routing is this... (Assuming a program running on PC that allows loopback, eg S1) Mic -> Mic Pre (with gain control) -> A/D converter -> FireWire Output -> PC Input -> S1 ->PC Output -> FireWire Input -> Remainder of channel. There are 2 places the gain must be set, 1) The Mic Pre, standard gain control in channel strip 2) The input/output levels in Studio One (or whatever other software you're using) which determines the level being returned back to the channel.
Karyn
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benrippingale wroteThanks for the response Matthew! Fader won't affect input volume, the pre amp gain will. When you say -44 input db, where are you measuring that? Remember that the meters can be set for input or output. I agree that a -44db level coming in is too low, so I would raise the preamp gain. Target to hit about 2/3 up on the input meter. Also check to make sure that there are no fat channel effects running. A limiter or over zealous compressor would certainly attenuate the signal. Turn off fat channel until you get this sorted out. |
I have exactly the same problem.
I highly suspect the mixer needed a service/repair. I've been using it for about 12 years, I'm very sure everything has been properly configured. Most frequently used channels are giving me this problem. All the other channels seems no issue. Now I have to turn the gain to 95% almost max gain, only getting decent -10db when the mic was placed about 1 1/2 feet away from a person speaking pretty loudly. |
In most of these 'low level' cases it's a matter of choose right and use right. Get the right mic (and cable) for the job and use it in the right way.
An SM58 for example is a (handheld) vocal mic for really close by (think 3-4" max). Don't try to make that 8" and crank the preamp because it will make both the mic and the preamp look bad. And when you think about using a 58 on say an instrument then remember that a voice at 3" is really loud and focused. Does that instrument compare? But if the problem occurs on some channels and (with same source+mic+cable) not on others then the interface or mixer becomes suspect #1. |
Mic volumes are low. You could run some processing to change your sound you hear. The sound goes through to a track even though it is not loud. The computer doesn't care about what a waveform looks like. If what the waveform says, and what the meters on the way in say are important I would suggest adding gates, amps, reverbs compressors, eqs, distortion/saturation plugins to get a good sound you like, then recording them all to the final processed track if you want to see a waveform or not have so much processing while mixing. I actually made a video while looking at your comment cause I have everything on in my studio right now including internet (which I rarely use at the same time as doing music). I can upload it here or on Bitchute it is pretty detailed about what I suggest. I noticed your comment is from 2017 and you are probably a pro at this stuff by now. anyways I tried to upload that video maybe it will be hosted on the forum here cause I don't really have a Youtube account anymore
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Well I found a similar thread on the forum here, and uploaded a arguably better and even shorter video on the subject of the input gain and mic levels too low that a lot are having over the years here . Here is the link to download that video, made 1 week after the first vid: download/file.php?id=21025
Aorus Elite X570
12 USB, 1000/1000 (Mbps) AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 12/24, 48 WIndows 11 Pro Studio One Artist 6.1 Presonus Studio interfaces: 1810C (8 ins, S1 engine) 1824C (8 ADAT to 1810C) Look up what I'm doing today on my Bitchute channel "Wind Whispering Through The Trees" Why didn't Van Gogh poke out his eye? |
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