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Setting gains (mixer question)
b00ter
Posts: 33
I was going through today, trying to set my gains from my source (DJ controller) through my mixer, and eventually into my DR PA+ and amps.
I have a o-scope so I decided to check my readings out of my various components and started with my DJ controller (torq xponent). The software I use is CrossDJ and it has an auto limiter on it. I had that on and ran a 0dbs 1khz sine through the software and measured the output on my controllers sound card at full volume. I got a nice sine wave, no clipping.
I then decided to connect it to my mixer (behringer xenyx 802) and set ch 3/4 to 0 and master to 0 and measured output, no clipping, still ok. I decided to crank it up a bit to see when I would hit the clipping lights on my mixer.
It shows I am clipping here:
But when I measured the output the sine wave was still ok:
The bottom of the sine is just starting to flatten out a bit, but its minuscule and if I tweaked the gain ever so slightly less it was perfect, although the clip light on the mixer would still show as on.
So what I'm asking is should I set my gains based on where it is actually clipping from my readings, or by what the mixer is telling me. If I go by the mixer the only advantage I see is a little more headroom as it show clipping earlier than what my readings show.
I also tried some pink noise through the system, and for some reason I could not get it to clip even if I ran the pots at almost full tilt, is that normal or should I be relying on what the "clip" light is showing on my mixer in order to set my gain structure?
Here is some of the clips with the pink noise.
This one should be maxed out on the gain, but I can't see any clipping on the screen but the mixer was full red:
Heres another about 3/4 gainclipped
Once I get this sorted out I should be able to transfer to the DRPA+ and get that sorted out.
I have a o-scope so I decided to check my readings out of my various components and started with my DJ controller (torq xponent). The software I use is CrossDJ and it has an auto limiter on it. I had that on and ran a 0dbs 1khz sine through the software and measured the output on my controllers sound card at full volume. I got a nice sine wave, no clipping.
I then decided to connect it to my mixer (behringer xenyx 802) and set ch 3/4 to 0 and master to 0 and measured output, no clipping, still ok. I decided to crank it up a bit to see when I would hit the clipping lights on my mixer.
It shows I am clipping here:
But when I measured the output the sine wave was still ok:
The bottom of the sine is just starting to flatten out a bit, but its minuscule and if I tweaked the gain ever so slightly less it was perfect, although the clip light on the mixer would still show as on.
So what I'm asking is should I set my gains based on where it is actually clipping from my readings, or by what the mixer is telling me. If I go by the mixer the only advantage I see is a little more headroom as it show clipping earlier than what my readings show.
I also tried some pink noise through the system, and for some reason I could not get it to clip even if I ran the pots at almost full tilt, is that normal or should I be relying on what the "clip" light is showing on my mixer in order to set my gain structure?
Here is some of the clips with the pink noise.
This one should be maxed out on the gain, but I can't see any clipping on the screen but the mixer was full red:
Heres another about 3/4 gainclipped
Once I get this sorted out I should be able to transfer to the DRPA+ and get that sorted out.
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Comments
I have a regular o-scope as well that I used to use for school.
DRA
With that said, I assume it would be safer to go with the peak lights on my mixer to give me more headroom?