HX stomp XL as digital interface for logic Pro - outpu/input level too low

[claudeu]

I want to use HX stomp XL as digital interface for logic Pro 10. How can I enhance the output level of HX stomp, or the input level in Logic? 

I set input 5 in Logic to get the unprocessed stomp signal. But it is too low.

[lou-kash]

On 7/25/2024 at 9:23 AM, claudeu said:

it is too low

 

As long as you record in 24-bit, you can absolutely stop caring whether your signal level is "too low" or not. You can always crank it up with the Gain plugin in Logic, or any other plugin that has a Gain/Volume parameter.

 

That aside, the unprocessed output level is "low" for a reason:
When I slap my bass, especially with some active preamp EQ setting on the bass itself, I can quite easily reach something like -6 dBFS peaks in Logic. 
That's anything else but "low".

[claudeu]

When I play my Strat the maximum level I can reach is -20 dB!

[datacommando]

On 7/25/2024 at 8:23 AM, claudeu said:

I want to use HX stomp XL as digital interface for logic Pro 10. How can I enhance the output level of HX stomp, or the input level in Logic? 

I set input 5 in Logic to get the unprocessed stomp signal. But it is too low.

Hi,

 

Lots of people comment that they feel the DI signal level is too low, see these links:-

 

and this,

I have been using my Helix with Logic Pro X since late 2015 using USB 7 (and/or USB 8) for the DI signal without any real issues, and as noted by @lou-kash in the post above, you can always add a gain block on the input channel, or normalise the audio after recording.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[lou-kash]

On 7/25/2024 at 1:36 PM, claudeu said:

When I play my Strat the maximum level I can reach is -20 dB!

 

Yes, Strats or any other single coil guitars have a relatively low output signal, compared e.g. to guitars with humbucker pickups. 

As I said: simply put the Gain plugin on top of the FX chain of the Logic track and add 10 dB to it. That's how I proceed all the time, whether I'm recording guitars or basses via the Stomp, or via my other interfaces using mics. 

Because the absolutely last thing I want is a digitally clipped signal that I can't fix. 

-20 dBFS is fine and doesn't do any harm whatsoever. :)

[amsdenj]

A good input level into a digital interface is between -12 and -18 dB. The key is to avoid digital clipping on peaks. So -20 dB with a single coil pickup is probably fine.

[claudeu]

Ok, I added 12 dB by the gain plug-in. Now pre fader metering shows about -18 dB. But waveform looks very flat in the region. Almost a line. How can I improve it?

[silverhead]

On 7/28/2024 at 10:45 AM, amsdenj said:

A good input level into a digital interface is between -12 and -18 dB. The key is to avoid digital clipping on peaks. So -20 dB with a single coil pickup is probably fine.

 

On 8/16/2024 at 8:50 AM, claudeu said:

Ok, I added 12 dB by the gain plug-in. Now pre fader metering shows about -18 dB. But waveform looks very flat in the region. Almost a line. How can I improve it?

As mentioned earlier -18db should be fine. Try it. My dry signal waveform often looks almost flat but sounds fine when processed by Helix Native.

[lou-kash]

On 8/16/2024 at 2:50 PM, claudeu said:

How can I improve it?

 

In Logic, you can also non-destructively increase the region gain using either the Gain tool or the Region Inspector.