Input levels on HD-1 96K

[BHeller]

Hi,
I have a client who has set his reference level correctly to bring in tracks from his 8-track reel (-10) to his 96k HD-1 interface. However, it seems some of the tracks are still distorting coming in at -10, while +4 is still a little low.

Where is the stepped input level adjustment? This is in Hardware Setup on the host systems, but I couldn't find it anywhere on this system or in the manual.

Thanks,
Brian

[MasterJ]

Hi,

I don't beleive that the 96I/O has a stepped input like the LE systems or the 1622 for example. Keep in mind that the 96 I/O is calibrated for 14dB of headroom. That is different than the 192 which comes factory calibrated for 18dB of headroom.

That being said. When setting up the studio and calibrating the outputs of a console or other gear, that a typical VU meter reading of 0 should equate to -14dB in PT. That is regardless of whether it's +4dBu or -10dBV if the levels are set properly.

Check the peak levels in PT by command-clicking on the level meter (volume indicator) on the channel strip and it should display the peak value for that channel. If it hasn't reached 0.0, chances are it's not the 96 I/O that is distoring.

The other option is to run each channel from the Tape deck through a mixer to bring it up to +4dBu and adjust the inputs that way.

Hope this helps,

MasterJ

[BHeller]

Thanks for the calibration reminders. I will check it out, and ask the client what they prefer.

best,