192 Output Calibration w/ PreSonus Monitor Station

[TMHearne]

Hey folks,

I'm experiencing an interesting problem at the studio that I could use some help with. We have a very simple setup. We only use Analog out 1&2 on our 192 I/O for monitoring and mix everything inside the box. There's no console involved. The problem we're having is that no matter how much we crank down the 192 output trim pots below the D-Sub connector, Protools output seems to be hitting the PreSonus Monitor Station about 4dB too hard and mixes sound distorted above about -4dB. Is this a common problem/known issue with this particular monitoring box? Maybe there's some coarser gain adjustment for 192 outputs somewhere else?


Thanks,

Travis

[originalscottyg]

The Monitor Station's Tech Specs list the maximum input level to be +22dBu. If your 192 is calibrated at -20dBFS = 0dBVU = +4dBu, then 0dBFS = +24dBu at your output. So you are clipping the input to the monitor station by at least 2dB. You should be able to calibrate your 192 to -18dBFS = 0dBVU = +4dBu so that 0dBFS = +22dBu.

Send MONO 1kHz -18dBFS sine wave out to a single output at a time. Measure the AC RMS voltage across the + & - pins of the output with a multimeter. Then adjust the output trim on the 192 until you get a voltage reading of 1.228 volts AC RMS. Repeat for all the 192 outputs.
(It would be a good idea to calibrate the inputs too.)
You should now be calibrated to the correct operating level to match with the Monitor Station. But if you are constantly mixing with levels at the very top range of the scale, i.e. mixing through an L2 with levels constantly near 0dBFS, then you will always be running the Monitor Station near its clipping point and getting much higher levels of THD than if your levels were running closer to the 0VU range.
I would say in that case that it would be safer to calibrate the 192 to -16dBFS = 0VU, but I'm not sure if the 192 will calibrate to that level.
HTH

[Hamdi]

Same problem here but with PreSonus Central Station.

Please Help.

Hamdi

[formfunction]

Originally Posted by Hamdi

Same problem here but with PreSonus Central Station.

Please Help.

Hamdi

Does not the post above yours help? ff

[digidesigner]

Just wondering why you guys don't run digital to CentralSt?

[Sean Russell]

I've cal'd 192's to -14 before, it'll go to -16 easily.

[originalscottyg]

Originally Posted by Sean Russell

I've cal'd 192's to -14 before, it'll go to -16 easily.

Good to know. Thanks Sean!
I have never had to calibrate to anything other than -20, and the info seemed hard to find in the 192 user guide, which doesn't list ANY specifications for some reason.

Also, for the OP, make sure you are using the correct set of Trim Pots on the back of the 192. There is an A trim and a B trim for each input or output. These are selectable in the Analog Input and Analog Output tabs of the Hardware Setup window.

[Ramtitam]

I have one setup with central station that has no problems with PT's outputs. I have another setup with monitor station and I have to gain the correct trim all the way down but still I have to lower the master fader by 10db to keep away from red light in monitor station. It's like it was built for -10 but the manual claims balanced +4.

[Sean Russell]

Is there a jumper or switch for -10/+4?

I've used one in a private overdub suite (a 002 room) and it seemed clean.

[bonfi64]

Originally Posted by digidesigner

Just wondering why you guys don't run digital to CentralSt?

is it better throught spdif or optical?