Best soundcard output reference level for 8030A's?

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scoring4film, muokattu 13 Vuodet sitten.

Best soundcard output reference level for 8030A's?

Youngling Viestejä: 3 Liittymispäivä: 30.8.2009 Viimeisimmät viestit

Hello,
My soundcard (RME HDSP 9632) gives me three options for the reference level for the signals going into my 8030A's. Can anyone tell me which option is best? They are:

Hi Gain
+4 dBu
-10 dBV

Many thanks.

priidz, muokattu 13 Vuodet sitten.

Re: Best soundcard output gain setting for 8030A's?

Youngling Viestejä: 1 Liittymispäivä: 17.6.2009 Viimeisimmät viestit

Have RME FireFace 400 and 8050 combo. I use high gain from sound card output and low amp level for monitors so if i am mistakenly switching off the sound card before i manage to power off monitors or disconnect signal cables. High monitor amp level will do a hell of a 'click' when removing cable from a sound card while monitors are on and i guess monitors would take some damage as well.
In terms of overall sound quality high pre amplified signal to end amplifier should be cleaner.. :roll:

theoretically. Although in case of Genelec monitors i have feeling that no matter how would you set the gain settings you would have hard time hearing difference in sound quality.

hidden-driveways, muokattu 13 Vuodet sitten.

Re: Best soundcard output gain setting for 8030A's?

Youngling Viestejä: 7 Liittymispäivä: 20.5.2009 Viimeisimmät viestit

Here is some advice that Robert Henke was kind enough to share with me:

-10dB / +4dB...

It is the reference level for incoming and outgoing signals. And it means that either -10dB or +4dB will be seen by the soundcard as 0dB for the audio driver.

-10dB is the standard for semi professional or homelistening audio equipment, such as a normal RCA connector on a normal home CD player.
+4dB is studio level.

In practice it means that the input of the soundcard will be more sensitive if you set it to -10dB, and the maximum output will be accordingly less.

With that in mind, I set my RME interface at +4dB, and I set the volume controls on my 8030A's turned up all the way. I don't want to attenuate the signal in the 8030A with the volume control, I turn them up all the way so I am sure they are even. If you set it up this way, be very gentle at first with what signal you send to the speakers. Have the Master fader on your DAW down all the way, and gently bring it up with a friendly audio signal playing. You don't want to blast your eardrums or hurt your Jennys.