Recording levels

[nickair]

Hi,

My name is Nicolas Rochat and I have recently purchased a TLAudio PA2001 mic preamplifier.
I am working with a Digidesign ProTools recording system and I have a Digidesign 888|24 AD/DA audio interface.
The operating level of the 888|24 is +4 dBu, same as the preamp.

I am using the TLAudio preamplifier to record sound with a Røde NT2 microphone, and I set the input button so that the peak LED starts to illuminate.
Then, even if I have the output button of the preamp to full power, the input level I read on my ProTools system is something like 0dBFS -30dB, which is a way not
enough, as I need to have a level as near as 0dBFS as possible.

Do you have any advice to help me reach higher levels when recording on the ProTools?

Thanks for your help.

Nicolas Rochat

[Dzerdzinsky]

When you saythe signal is at -30dBFS, what kind of signal is it? Is it a constant tone or transient material?

If possible, hook you preamp's line out directly into a normal mixer and read the mixer meters. Try to eliminate the mic pre as your problem first, because it is unlikely the 888 is having problems.

[nickair]

The signal is a constant sine that send into the mic preamp and then into the 888. I have switched the 888 into -10dBv and even now, I can hardly reach 0dBFS on the 888. I have quite the same problem if I send a signal directely from the mixing console to the 888.

By the way, if I send a signal through the mic preamp to the mixing console, I read about -7dB. There's really something I don't understand...