Preamp into 003...+4dBu or -10dBV?

[FierceBrew]

Hello fellow audiophiles,

I am running a Digi03 Rack and have recently acquired a UA6176. I am routing the preamp into input 5 using a XLR to 1/4" TRS cable but I am unsure which level setting I should use...+4dBu or -10dBV?

I have been using the +4dBu b/c I also own a Focusrite unit that is routed using an identical cable into input 6. The rear panel of that unit actually says "+4dBu" beneath the XLR output so I assumed that setting my line level at +4 was correct.

However, the UA is a higher quality unit and I was not sure if I should use the same setting. So i guess I have 3 questions.

What would be the preferred setting for the UA6176?
How does that line level setting affect the signal-to-noise ratio?
How does the line level setting affect the headroom/noise floor?

I record mostly rock music but I am also starting to record jazz as well as spoken word.

Any info you have would be a huge help. Thanks.

[rqstudio]

Best way to find out is put input 1 on your 003 at about 12:00 and insert a signal or tone. Then insert SAME signal through your other equipment and see which setting comes the closest. (No need to even have your output or monitors on, we don't need to blow anything) But if my memery serves me, you can only select this -10/+4 on groups of 4. (5~8) So both would have to be the same. Check on the back of your hardware for the same -10/+4 option.

I have a 24 buss analog board and tried balancing all 18 inputs on a 003,(w/different converters) and only got close.

[albee1952]

+4 would be the setting for most any modern outboard preamp. The -10 selection would be more fitting with older semi-pro gear or anything with an RCA analog output(like a CD player).

[FierceBrew]

Thanks Albee.

I had a feeling that +4 was the way to go, but I'm about to start tracking vocals on an album and I wanted to make sure that I was giving the signal the optimal path. Thanks again.

[DJ Hellfire]

The manual says the 4 preamps are preset to the +4 value which cannot be changed (unless by cranking the knobs I'd guess). So I like to keep 5-8 at the same setting with gain knobs 1-4 all the way down so everything comes in at a fairly even level, since I'm not using the 003's mic preamps. But it really depends on what you have coming in to all your channels. I have my MPC 2500 coming in 1/4" on all 8 channels with my mixer coming into the Aux and my mic pre in via s/pdif. So having all 8 channels level set works for me. But if you have a bunch of different gear going in, I would decide based on what the gear is and what your needs are as far as input gain goes for each piece. Just my $0.02.

[albee1952]

Whatever is plugged into inputs 1 thru 4 is going thru the 003 preamps. It bypasses a GAIN stage(but its still thru the preamp). 5 thru 8 on the 003 is a line input only(disregarding the 003r+ version).

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Whatever is plugged into inputs 1 thru 4 is going thru the 003 preamps. It bypasses a GAIN stage(but its still thru the preamp). 5 thru 8 on the 003 is a line input only(disregarding the 003r+ version).

Yeah, I realize that. I meant not using them with mics requiring gain. My bad for misusing the terms!

[albee1952]