Elektron Musical Instruments

See answers below...

--- In elektron-users@yahoogroups.com, s a <lucinniega@y...> wrote:
> Sometimes I will program an instrument that ends up being pretty
>quiet, due to the filter. That's when I notice the noise the most. To
>tell you the truth it harder to recognize the noise on the bass drum.
>The reason being is that the bass drum is probably the loudest sound
>coming out of the machine drum. 

Yes this is normal. I dont use the max levels all the time. depends
really on what i'm programming and how much dynamics I'm searching
from my beats. This shoudn't be a problem.

 
>      Mainvolume-pot is wired
> into DA, so that if the mainvolume is at max, internal mixsignal is
> pretty close to 0 dB (when it comes put of the box). 
>  
> This is definatley not the case with my MD. At max volume There are
> still some instruments in my kit that are quiet.

Yes, something like hihats are lower level. Thats normal too. I mean
that when you have volume set to max, you should be able to have 0dB
signal out of the box (if you choose to). 


> So I think maybe the DA converter is being underloaded, probably
>because of the filter. Is this what you were talking about when it
>comes to underloading the filter. If not, what else could be the
>source of the problem.

Are you talking about filter of MD or something external here? 

Here is how I would try to solve this:

1. Check your fireface that its calibrated to +4 dBu. If I remember
from brochures, you can do this strainght from control panel. Just
check it. Sure is surely sure.

2. Forget the micpre for a while. Do this test without it. 

3. Connect the MD main line out to fireface _line ins_. I know
fireface also have some micpres (or does it?), but for know connect it
to line ins. 

4. Turn MD volume to max and record few patterns. Also try setting the
BD (for example) to maximum, for checking out levels. 

5. You should get recordings that should peak somewhere around 0 - -6
dBs. The BD, if you miximized it, at least should. 

6. You can also now try to spot the noise. Record the MD without it
playing anything, so you would be recording just noise, that MD makes.
This should be around -90 dB, _if you dont have_ any grounding
problems with your electricity. If you have noise at -90 dB it will
_not_ be a problem of anykind, with any situtation. Your normal
cd-player probaply puts out more noise than MD.

If you have done this test, you should now see, that MD puts out
signal as it should (if test went ok). So if the MD is ok, you have to
accept that the problem lies in the micpre. The thing with micpres is
this:

When audio goes throught the cable, its converted to voltages. A
typical +4 dB signal can carry 0.775 volts maximum (0dB in digital
domain). -10 dB signal will carry something like half or third of
that. Now the micpre signal-in is calibrated for signal levels like
0.005 - 0.01 volts. When you hit the 0.775 volts to micpre it's going
to clip a lot and bring the noise up, so much that even -90 dB noise
signal comes alive. So I think your problem is feeding the wrong level
signal to micpre. With andromeda this may work, because it might be a
-10 dB gear (so it doesn't bring the noise so much up, but technically
still is wrong).

So if this is the case, you should consider what to do with the
micpre. It can't be used to record MD and its not the fault of MD or
micpre either. 

I can't think of anything other that could be the problem (still there
might be something else too). I've given my cents here.

  
> Sorry for the attitude, I'm just a bit frustrated with my recording
>situation. I usually try to be the guy that doesn't come off like a
>dick. I appreciate the time that you have taken to respond to my >post.

Apologies accepted.

Toni.