Re: GAIN STRUCTURE

[Per Boysen <perboysen@gmail.com>]

>> A good rule of thumb is that output gain should be as hot as possible 
>with
>> input gain as low as possible.

>>  Ian

On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 12:07 PM, mark francombe <mark@markfrancombe.com> 
wrote:
> Hmm this is new to me... I ALWAYS try to get my input as high as 
>possible...
> how can this be true... Im sure that its none of the gear, and just a
> question of getting very precise levels...

Guys, this seems to be just a case of funny mind warp due to
misinterpretation in communication ;-))  If a hot signal arrives at an
input jack you need to set the input gain low - at the receiving
device. "One man's ceiling is another man's floor", you know. As true
is one device's output the other device's input, if talking signal
here.

Just make sure there is always as hot a signal as possible passing
through the cables. Or you could say the same thing in a more
electronican nerdy way as "make optimal use of headroom".



> Now, A guitar.. thats instrument level right?

Guess you mean an electric guitar. Yes, that is instrument level and
that is not the same as line level or the pro level (+4 dB). Guitar
pickup output level may differ a bit between pickups though. And I'm
not sure exactly what it is in bare numbers. But it's really important
to match the instrument level; I have learned that the hard way since
I've always played stratocasters with low output vintage pick-up
output level and if that signal is not matched correctly at the
receiving device's input (tube pre amp or RMX audio interface pre amp)
it severely affects the instruments capability to be played with its
analog volume and tone knobs.

> Except.. wait!!!
>
> Both my EDP effects (the redsound federation and the Roland ef 303) are
> actually aimed at DJ's... therfore have phone plugs... so what does that
> make them?

Yup, your fear is truly justified here. Especially input for a
turntable has yet another level. I remember my Repeater had a matched
input for turntable - that's cool! I know one DJ that actually cabled
his turntable directly to the 'peater.

You should Google your gear, or look up the manuals to find out their
proper levels. Having said that I have to admit I never did that
myself, since it's pretty obvious when to signals are not matched; it
just sounds either dull and low or distorted and loud.

Ok, so when you know about your patch levels, they you find out if you
need to buy any transformers/boosters to put between the boxes.

About mixing:
Always crank the send up to 0 dB. Then adjust the looper's input gain
to receive the feed properly.

The king of effect system design and routing is Pete Cornish,
http://www.petecornish.co.uk. Lots of good hints to be snagged there
;-))

Greetings from Sweden

Per Boysen
www.boysen.se
www.perboysen.com