Does anyone know of any decent way of improving volume levels of a hardware synth? With my Nordlead 3 at full volume, Cubase SX recording level at full and my soundcards (e-mu 1820m) volume as high as I can go - it still doesn't record at an adequate level. I'm fed up with making do with undesirable hiss from boosting these low levels all the time and am wondering if anyone has a decent fix? I have money to spend if there is anything that would sort this out in the hardware realms such as a mixer? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Which inputs are you using to record it? The instrument inputs? The line input?

I'm not sure at what nominal output level the Nordlead 3 works, as that is rarely given for synth specs (this applies for other brands too, it's kinda sad to see that). But there's a slight chance that it outputs at consumer level.

If you are using the line inputs, your 1820M has an option to switch the line inputs from +4dBu to -10 dBV. Have you tried that yet.

Anyways, it might sound strange, but it's actually always recommended to record synths through a DI box. This device will adapt impedances to the right level, and balance the lines also. You connect the synthesizer to a DI box (normally, 1 line per DI boxes, but there are rackmount DI's with several connections, like Behringer), and the DI box goes to a mic preamp.
This ensure optimal quality, but I must admit I have seen plenty of people connecting it straight to the line in and it works also.

I'd check the +4dBu/-10 dBV setting first, report back with any results you might have...

[edit] Thanks DJ Thy, I've changed from +4 to -10 and it's improved considerably. Don't know why I didn't change that previously. Any other tips (if any exist) on this subject would be appreciated.

Last edited by nzo on Oct-16-2004 at 16:44

It happens to me also, man. I just normalize it to -1 dB after it finishes recording it.

quote:

Originally posted by nzo Thanks for the quick reply - I have tried the PatchDSP on both +4 and -10db settings. Can you expand further on what a DI box is please? Are they commonly used for helping a hardware synths signal?

Did you find any noticeable results? A nominal signal of +4 dBu is about 12 dB louder than a -10 dBV signal. So if you set your line input level at -10 dBV, the recorded signal will be about 12 dB louder also (which is why you risk distortion when using instruments that output at +4 dBu). So you should at least have gotten a very audible result... The only thing I'm not sure about the 1820m (don't have one) is if the +4/-10 also applies on the front line input (with the preamp)... You might try the rear inputs on the dock thingy too, to make sure.

Well, I explained the basic principles of a DI (Direct Injection box) already. The main focus of such a box is to match impedances. Normally, line I/O's have standardized impedances, which shouldn't be a problem.
The problem is, some instruments have AN output, but it's not specified as a line out. So impedances aren't necessarily right.
The best example is a guitar. A guitar output is designed to be plugged into a high impedance input, but a line input is generally not. The result will be a loss of level, but mostly a loss of clarity (it's a whole electronic mumbojumbo I'm not going to explain here, if you want the full explanation, just look for direct injection under google). The DI will take care of this, and provide some protection against hum and other parasites. It will also convert unbalanced lines into balanced ones.

The DI box generally connects to a mic input. Such inputs usually can achieve quite a lot of gain, as some microphones don't deliver much output.

Although you shouldn't see the DI as an actual gain applying device, not at all. It's more an insurance that you get a clean(er) signal to your rig.

I take the habit of getting synths via a DI to the mixer (I'm used working with Protools rigs). The mic preamps provide ample gain, I've yet to encounter a synth which I couldn't record hot enough.

What are your levels registering to BTW? What do you consider an adequate level? Try hooking your synth up to either the front line in's or the back ones (and switching between +4/-10). If you don't hear a difference, there's something wrong.
Before shelling out big bucks from extra gear, make sure you've looked into your existing gear completely. I'm sorry I can't help you more concretely, because I haven't got my hands on an EMU card yet, and don't know anyone who owns one near me (they're pretty hard to come by in Belgium it seems).

*edit* lol, I read your reply, and after I posted it, I saw you edited to say it improved somewhat. Oh well, anyway I've explained the workings of a DI box a bit further.
If you record at 24 bit, you shouldn't really be worried if it registers at -10 dBFS or so. There's enough dynamic range to allow the levels to optimized a bit further. Of course this implies the inherent noise of the Nordlead 3 is decent.
I think you are already aware that some subtle compression can improve loudness also. I don't know your setup, but if you are able to do it, know that some people already apply compression (and EQ) at the recording stage. It better remains subtle then, because any decision you take there is irremediably recorded with it.

ya. some soundcards dont have preamps in them (my delta 1010 doesnt for sure. motu 828 mk2 does). you can do stuff like plug mics, keyboards, guitars through a line input but you get rubbish results because the signal isnt preamped. you can get basic preamps fairly cheaply but if you are willing, you can find yourself spending an absolute fortune on one.