Setting Input Levels

Procedure

  1. Select Functions Menu > Global Meter Settings > Meter Position and activate Input.

    In this mode, the input channel level meters show the level of the signal at the input of the bus, before any adjustments, such as input gain, EQ, effects, level, or pan are made. This allows you to check the level of the unprocessed signal coming into the audio hardware.

  2. Play back the audio and check the level meter for the input channel.

    The signal should be as loud as possible without exceeding 0 dB, that is, the clipping indicator for the input bus should not light up.

  3. If necessary, adjust the input level in one of the following ways:

    • Adjust the output level of the sound source or the external mixer.

    • If possible, use the audio hardware’s own application program to set the input levels. Refer to the documentation for the audio hardware.

    • If your audio hardware supports the ASIO control panel function, it may be possible to make input level settings. To open the ASIO control panel, select Studio > Studio Setup and in the Devices list, select your audio card. When this is selected, you can open the control panel by clicking Control Panel in the settings section to the right.

  4. Optional: Select Functions Menu > Global Meter Settings > Meter Position and activate Post-Fader.
    Note

    This allows you to check the level of the audio being written to a file on your hard disk, which is only necessary if you make any adjustments to the input channel.

  5. Optional: In the Channel Racks section, in the Inserts rack, click a slot and select an effect, or in the Equalizers rack, make your EQ settings.

    For some effects you may want to adjust the level of the signal going into the effect. Use the input gain function for this. Press Shift or Alt to adjust the input gain.

  6. Play back the audio and check the level meter of the input channel.

    The signal should be reasonably loud without exceeding 0 dB, that is, the clipping indicator for the input bus should not light up.

  7. If necessary, use the input channel fader to adjust the signal level.