HX Stomp Preset Level Matching?

[shakeelrazauk]

Hi, I use the HX Stomp for bass and have my presets set up with the following prefixes for for use in two different ways:

 

BFX: these presets are usually effects with no amp or cab which I use when I’m connected to my amp via the L Mono output.

 

BDIR: these presets usually contain an amp and cab and are used for recording direct through the HX Stomp as an audio interface via the USB interface channel 1 (dry) and channel 5 (wet), or recording via the L Mono output into a mic/DI preamp to my PCs audio interface.

 

The issue I have is that the volumes are all different of each preset and are not at the required volume for the application I require.

 

My questions:

 

1. For my BFX presets do I want to essentially make the output volume of the preset/HX Stomp match the input volume so that the level of signal I put into the HX Stomp, from another pedal, or directly from my bass, is equal to the output volume so it applies the effects but it doesn’t alter the signal volume given that my amp will amplify this signal - if so, is this achieved by simply adjusting the volume of the output block on each BFX preset? I can do this by making the channel 5 (processed) signal match the channel 1 (dry) signal in my DAW.

 

2. For my BDIR presets do I need to tweak the output level of these so that I am achieving the “ideal” recording level when connected via USB and recording channel 5 (processed) into my DAW so for example -18dBfs average in my DAW? This would make the recording level ideal when using it as an interface but if I was then to use the L Mono Out into my pre-amp the signal would probably be much higher that it would for say my BFX presets. I’m not sure this is a problem as I’d just adjust the gain on the mic m/DI preamp accordingly. I probably just need to commit to either recording via the HX Stomp as an interface or my mic/DI pre-amp.

 

I was just wondering really if I am correct in thinking that you simply need to adjust the output block level accordingly for what I’m trying to achieve level-wise for recording presets and also I don’t want a massive volume increase when switching on HX BFX presets in my signal chain so essentially the level in matches the level out and this is the same level as when the HX Stomp is in bypass mode.

 

Many thanks for any help! Sorry for the long message. 

[DunedinDragon]

The problem you're encountering is one of your preset setups uses an analog output (1/4") post D/A conversion while the other preset setup via USB is a digital signal.  My typical live preset is gain staged based on the signal level as measured on the mixing board coming from my XLR output at Mic signal level.  If I use that same preset on a USB it will be considerably lower on my DAW since it's a digital signal, but I can adjust it in a number of different ways.  My most typical adjustment is to change the channel volume on the amp model  which doesn't affect the tone to get it where I want it for recording levels.