Hi,
Yes I have had the change to watch CLA videos... not all though since I only have access for a couple of days now. Great stuff!!! And I must say his technique of laying down the tracks is very interesting and makes sense!
I was watching to the PDF setup (thank you btw) and I also see something curious:
Line Inputs -> -18dbFS = 0dbVU (+4 dbu)
Console Return -> -14dbFS = 0dbVU (+4dbu)
So he's returning with much less digital headroom than he outputs from the DAs.
Unfortunately I only have two possible setups, this is hardwired on my rednet AD/DAs which aren't trimmable like any other NORMAL AD/DA. My options are, -18dbFS or -24dbFS. Also since focusrite is English they stupidly decided to adopt the BBC standard, where -18dbFS = 0dbu. This only serves to complicate things even further. I currently don't have any other AD/DA for the console returns (a stereo one for instance) where I could dial a different setup, so this setup is overall setup either for inputs (AD) and outputs (DA) across the entire console.
So I can choose -18dbFS = 0dbU:If I use the -18dBFS reference within the DAW for gain structuring all tracks
* DA outputs are always 4dbU lower than the +4 line level of the console inputs.
* AD inputs are always 4dbU hotter (0 dbVU = hitting -14dbFS) with the +4 line level console outputs.
So to have a correct +4 console input, I need to push tracks level up, which peaks into the converter DAs.
To have a correct AD input I need to trim (either with a trimmer or with the console's master fader) the level down to have 0dbVU fall into the -18dbFS mark.
- this gives me a 14dbFS headroom.
Or I can choose, -24dbFS = 0dbU:* with this setting I have to use a -20dbFS reference in the DAW instead of -18dbFS to make things spot on
* DA outputs would be at +4 line level of the console inputs (-20dbFS -> +4dbu)
* AD inputs would be at -20dbFS if we consider a +4 dbu console output (of course if you hit harder the console you'll still have to bring level down...)
- this gives me a 20dbFS headroom.
I just came with the 2nd option last night, so I am yet to test the result...
What are your opinions?
I would also be interested to know when your setting DAW track output levels, what are the references/ballpark for a proper signal on the console VUs?
Cheers,
Artur