Avid Omni Input / Output levels

[Ridder]

Hi all,

Maybe a dumb question but I just couldn't find the answer anywhere:

When I output a signal via the Avid Omni outputs and use the inputs to record it back in again the input level is around 5 dBu lower. I uses a cable out from the output straight into the input. When I use the output level trim... and add 5 dBu there the signal level which comes in is the same... but should I always do that?

The reference levels are:
Output > Line (+ 24 dBu)
Input > Line (+ 4 dBu)

Thanks in advance for your kind answer!

[phatbeatstudio]

So you have a track recorded then you send it back out through the omni back into the omni. Just curious why are you doing that. do you want latency or something.

My best goes is that its your input output levels +4 -10 settings or in your using the 1/4 inch monitor outs 1/2 I think they are +10 for those. My numbers could be off but that is most likely whats happening. Sometimes crappy cables will lose volume as well.

[Ridder]

Normally I have an outboard compressor or eq in between the output and input and noticed that the level is lower when I bypass the gear... so I tried it without any outboard in between en noticed a clear difference in the level of the input against the level which I output.

I have connected a DB25-XLR DigiSnake Cable to the outputs and from there a XLR to TRS. I'll try another cable this evening.

[Ridder]

Also I don't understand why the output is +24 dBu and not +4 dBu like other Avid I/O output cards (i.e. Avid I/O 8x8x8)

[Basstian]

Because you are supposed to run Monitors directly from it.

[mykhal c]

+24dbu is for console/line...+10dbu setting is for connection to monitors...

[Ridder]

Hi guys, thanks for the kind help!

I dug a little deeper in the issue and found the following:

I knew the Omni has the following settings:
Input: +4dBu (Pro) and -10dBv (Consumer, prosumer)
Output: +10 dBu (Speaker level) and +24 dBu (Line level)

and the other Avid I/O have:
Input: +4 dBu or -10dBv
Output: +4dBu or -10dBv

But why the difference between those 2???
Probably the +24 dBu is at 0 dBFS and +4 dBu is at -18 dBFS but I'm not sure.

please correct me if I'm wrong?!

Anyway seems like the Omni is not really useful to connect outboard as in insert as you don't have standard +4dBu outputs... unless you correct output via output level trim, but I'm not sure if that's good practice?! I hate it to correct the output by +5 dBu, I'm not sure if by the correction I made I have now +4dBu at -18dBfs and if I will lose something?!

Anyway this is all very confusing

[bad jitter]

Could that +24dBu mean +4dBu with 20dB headroom?

[Ridder]

yes that could also be possible

anyway, I'm off to a shop to buy a true rms meter

[Bill Denton]

Originally Posted by Ridder

Hi guys, thanks for the kind help!

I dug a little deeper in the issue and found the following:

I knew the Omni has the following settings:
Input: +4dBu (Pro) and -10dBv (Consumer, prosumer)
Output: +10 dBu (Speaker level) and +24 dBu (Line level)

and the other Avid I/O have:
Input: +4 dBu or -10dBv
Output: +4dBu or -10dBv

But why the difference between those 2???
Probably the +24 dBu is at 0 dBFS and +4 dBu is at -18 dBFS but I'm not sure.

please correct me if I'm wrong?!

Anyway seems like the Omni is not really useful to connect outboard as in insert as you don't have standard +4dBu outputs... unless you correct output via output level trim, but I'm not sure if that's good practice?! I hate it to correct the output by +5 dBu, I'm not sure if by the correction I made I have now +4dBu at -18dBfs and if I will lose something?!

Anyway this is all very confusing

Perhaps you're overthinking it?

None of the other Avid "HD" interfaces are intended to directly drive active monitors (or amp + passive)...you would generally come out of the interface into some type of monitor controller.

However, the Omni has a built-in monitor controller, capable of of up to 7.1 monitoring.

Therefore, the outputs can be individually configured to operate at +10 dBu (Speaker level) or +24 dBu (Line level) depending on your needs. Instructions can be found under the Analog Output (OUTLVL) section on Page 42 of the Omni Manual...