Guitar USB output too low

[cupzij]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to record some covers but the USB output (using the stomp as the interface) is too low, I do want to use it to reamp my own songs too, so lowering the volume of 40 tracks everytime is not an option.

 

I'm missing something or do I really need to add some gain blocks / plugins every time?

[rd2rk]

No, you just need to learn the WHY of those levels:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/ideal-level-record-tracks-daw/#:~:text=For dynamic tracks%2C the recommended,during mixing%2C and so on.

 

The short story: HEADROOM for mixing/post processing.

[cupzij]

On 1/30/2023 at 5:29 PM, rd2rk said:

No, you just need to learn the WHY of those levels:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/ideal-level-record-tracks-daw/#:~:text=For dynamic tracks%2C the recommended,during mixing%2C and so on.

 

The short story: HEADROOM for mixing/post processing.

So, in other words, I have to add something to lift it up, because I literally can't hear the guitar while listening to the backing track at the same time

[silverhead]

No, there are just some settings you need to adjust. Your HX Stomp is quite capable of sending a good input level to your DAW. Note that the input level of the guitar’s dry signal is designed to be lower assuming subsequent reamping or plugin processing.
 

I’d start by making sure the HX Stomp output level is high, although I’m not sure that affects the USB Send level. Try adjusting the track’s input level in your DAW before recording. Also try lowering the level of your computer’s output to balance the level of the Stomp.

[cupzij]

On 1/30/2023 at 6:08 PM, silverhead said:

No, there are just some settings you need to adjust. Your HX Stomp is quite capable of sending a good input level to your DAW. Note that the input level of the guitar’s dry signal is designed to be lower assuming subsequent reamping or plugin processing.
 

I’d start by making sure the HX Stomp output level is high, although I’m not sure that affects the USB Send level. Try adjusting the track’s input level in your DAW before recording. Also try lowering the level of your computer’s output to balance the level of the Stomp.

This abolutely worked! I raised Output Main L/R levels to +9.0dB (so it works with USB too) and it solved it, now I'm able to hear the changes when changing amp settings, thanks!

[rd2rk]

Not sure what's going on. 

 

Don't know what DAW that is, but I use Reaper.

I paste the backing track in a Reaper track and set Track Monitor to AUTO.

I take the WET track from USB 1/2 and the DRY track from USB 5/6 with Track Monitor OFF on both tracks.

 

When I start recording, the backing track plays back through USB 1/2, which hits the HXS Main Outs.

I'm playing through those same Main Outs.

The MIX LEVEL is controlled at the DAW.

To set the levels I play the track while I play guitar and set the Backing Track Level in the DAW.

When I get the levels right (what I'm HEARING), then I record.

The signals are actually mixed at the HXS Out.

The final monitoring level is the level of the HXS Main Level Knob (the MIX from the DAW) and the level of the playback system (studio monitors).

 

IOW, I'm not listening to the Guitar through the DAW, I'm monitoring it DIRECT while I RECORD to the DAW.

Latency is compensated in the DAW (automatically in most DAWS), so that when I play back the final recording everything is in sync.

 

 

[datacommando]

On 1/30/2023 at 9:23 PM, cupzij said:

Hi,

 

I'm trying to record some covers but the USB output (using the stomp as the interface) is too low, I do want to use it to reamp my own songs too, so lowering the volume of 40 tracks everytime is not an option.

 

I'm missing something or do I really need to add some gain blocks / plugins every time?

Hi,

 

You don’t say where your backing track (cover version) originate, but that wave form looks like a finalised mix, judging from the signal peaks, which appear to be almost clipping (square tops) and your fader is at -1.51db.

 

You need to ensure your Stomp processed audio on USB 1&2 is being recorded at a level of between -18db and -12db, as noted in the link posted by @rd2rkabove. Something is not right with your settings - again judging from the screen shot of the waveform of the stereo track. The other dry signal waveform on USB 5 looks about right as it is an unprocessed DI signal suitable for re-amping - as noted by @silverhead above.

 

Oh, yeah, when you say - “so lowering the volume of 40 tracks everytime is not an option.” Why not? If your are dealing with a “normalised” stereo backing track it shouldn’t be a problem to lower the volume on that fader buss. If you are dealing with a backing that consists of 40 separate channels that need be sent to subs and be mixed down to stereo then that could be annoying if you have lots of songs to cover, and you aren’t Alan Parsons. 
 

If you are Alan Parsons, this stuff should be simple, if you’re not - well you are going to have to learn how to record.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.