blue_apple Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Once in a while, sound engineers will tell me that my XLR levels are way too hot, even though the XLR Outputs are set to "Mic". My quick fix for this has been turning down the Global EQ level to -20, which seems to do the trick. If it helps, global settings are set to: Volume Knob is set to 1/4" only (to control my stage level). XLR Outputs set to Mic. Global EQ set to XLR Only. Is this a valid solution, or should I go about correcting this issue a different way? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 If you only get the complaint sporadically, and assuming there's no intermittent hardware malfunction, I'm inclined to think that it's just the occasional sound guy who either doesn't know what he's doing and/or has lost his marbles...they're out there. I've met them, lol ;). Don't see how the output can be fine one day and pinning the needle the next... 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theElevators Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 It could be that your preset is very loud. Some of the presets I downloaded on customtone were extremely harsh-sounding and distorted. You can take the amp and turn it down in your preset, until it stop being so loud. Your "new preset" should be about as loud as your "[actual preset]". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_apple Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 On 8/28/2024 at 10:49 AM, theElevators said: It could be that your preset is very loud. Some of the presets I downloaded on customtone were extremely harsh-sounding and distorted. You can take the amp and turn it down in your preset, until it stop being so loud. Your "new preset" should be about as loud as your "[actual preset]". Thanks for the note. The presets are my own, but it crossed my mind that they may be too loud. Most of them were created through my studio monitors, and I had to goose them a bit to have sufficient output on that system. The issue I'm facing is that I've spent a ridiculous amount of time level-matching my 40+ presets (I know. :( We're a cover band with an extremely varied setlist...). The thought of starting from scratch is a bit overwhelming; however, it may be my best option at this point. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 On 8/28/2024 at 8:16 AM, blue_apple said: Is this a valid solution, or should I go about correcting this issue a different way? It is a valid solution. The Helix does not have a PAD on the XLR's like a good DI does, so using the Global EQ (assigned to XLR only) is a great way to repurpose it as a pad. That said... you say a -20db. WOW, that's a lot. A PAD is usually about a 6db - 10db cut. I agree with others that say your preset(s) may be too loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 On 8/28/2024 at 9:16 AM, blue_apple said: Is this a valid solution, or should I go about correcting this issue a different way? Thanks! Yes...calmly go to his mixing board, identify the Trim/Gain knob at the top of your channel and point out which direction he should turn it to bring the signal level down. Tell him in the industry we all refer to that as "gain staging"...... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephantstomp Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 My HX Stomps output was 0dB. This was fine for everything until I started using a Rolls PM50se Personal Monitor Amp on my Pedalboard. The Signal was clipping. I had to reduce the stomps output to -20dB to be fine for the Rolls. I am just saying that 0dB might be to hot for some equipment (even though gain staging within presets is fine). No one ever complained about my -20dB signal. I just increase dB for recordings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 How exactly were you measuring your 0db output? Typically to measure the analog signal level output you would have to measure it on the input of a mixing board channel once it's sent out of the 1/4" or XLR output and even then it would depend on how the trim/gain knob was set on the mixing board and whether the signal is being sent as a line or mic level signal. Measuring it within the signal chain is merely measuring the digital signal representation of output because it only becomes analog once it goes through the D/A conversion and is sent out of an analog output whether that's going to a mixing board or to your Rolls personal monitor. If your Rolls is like most other powered speakers the 12 o'clock position is unity gain. Turning that up is like turning up the trim/gain knob on a mixing board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 On 9/2/2024 at 9:20 AM, Elephantstomp said: The Signal was clipping. I had to reduce the stomps output to -20dB to be fine for the Rolls. Hi, Yeah, that would be correct, because the on Rolls webpage for the PM50se Personal Monitor Amp, under the specifications tab, it states: “Inputs: -20 dB max XLR 1K balanced, 20 dB monitor”. I guess hitting it with more than -20db would introduce the clipping you mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephantstomp Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 On 9/2/2024 at 1:44 PM, datacommando said: Hi, Yeah, that would be correct, because the on Rolls webpage for the PM50se Personal Monitor Amp, under the specifications tab, it states: “Inputs: -20 dB max XLR 1K balanced, 20 dB monitor”. I guess hitting it with more than -20db would introduce the clipping you mentioned. Exactly. And there will be manuals of other equipment where such useful information is not mentioned. I thought the Rolls was faulty. Wouldn´t have thought to feed it with -20dB. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephantstomp Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 On 9/2/2024 at 1:26 PM, DunedinDragon said: How exactly were you measuring your 0db output? Typically to measure the analog signal level output you would have to measure it on the input of a mixing board channel once it's sent out of the 1/4" or XLR output and even then it would depend on how the trim/gain knob was set on the mixing board and whether the signal is being sent as a line or mic level signal. Measuring it within the signal chain is merely measuring the digital signal representation of output because it only becomes analog once it goes through the D/A conversion and is sent out of an analog output whether that's going to a mixing board or to your Rolls personal monitor. If your Rolls is like most other powered speakers the 12 o'clock position is unity gain. Turning that up is like turning up the trim/gain knob on a mixing board. Oh, with this I meant that my pretty basic presets had withing blocks and output section volume set to 0dB. I don´t know the actually dB of "the analog signal level output". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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