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| davepiazza |
I am forcing myself to make sure my levels on my mixer top at 0db. So I am always in the green. Never hitting the yelllows or reds.
My problem is that since I ve started doing 0 db thing when I play my set outloud in my basement on my powered speakers it obviously doenst sound as loud as it once did ( when I was making my levels top by just barely hitting the reds). However, it sounds much cleaner and crisper at 0 db. I now have to turn up my speaker volume almost 3/4 of the way up to be a decent bangin sound level to hear. I am just concerned that if I want to maintain a "clean" sound at 0 db that even if I turn up my powered speaks to max it wont be loud enough for a bangin house party.
My question is can I buy that can increase my volume levels but not distort the sound quality (i.e. increase the output signal volume of the mixer) I could just turn up my levels on my mixer but the sound would be distorting ( i.e. I would be hitting the reds). My speakers are currently powered so is getting an amp out of the question.
Sound Setup
Rane Mp 44 club mixer
2 EV 500 watt powered speakers
2 JBL 350 watt powered sub
Let me know what you guys think I should do. |
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| Tiger777 |
Always try avoiding going into the red or yellow 'cuz that means you're clipping. That can seriously damage your speakers.
Why not turning up the volume on the speakers up to 4/4 in stead of 3/4? That's gonna be the only way, cuz you can't buy stuff that amplifies your LINE signal (from your mixer) into a stronger signal 'cuz you will damage your amp with that and it will sound horrible. If it doesn't sound loud enough for you, I'm afraid you'll going to have to buy another amplified speaker... |
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| Sunnyside |
| Let the amp do the hard work - that's what it's there for. The amp in your mixer is simply a pre-amp - it's not designed to amplify anything. |
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| DjVash |
The only amplifier in a mixer (unless it's a powered mixer ofcourse) are RIAA pre-amps (designed to convert phono to line) and ofcourse the headphone amp. Some mixers have VCA's but those don't count ;)
If you really want to bang without being afraid to damage your speakers, you should get a limiter. That way you can clip your mixer all the way you want, but the limiter will make sure the signal output to the amp is 0dB.
Limiters alone are VERY expensive, so you should better get a mixer that has a built-in limiter. The SynQ SMX-1 / Citronic SM-FX500 (identical mixers) has this option. It's a very good mixer as well :). |
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| Sunnyside |
| If you want more power, why not just buy a more powerful amplifier and speakers? |
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| hooj1 |
| You need an amp. I have powered speakes also, but if I really want to bump it I route my signal to my amp so I can turn it up there. |
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| SUNWmsf |
If you want to get a 'louder' recording, you can get a new A/D convertor with an +6 db boost output gain feature, or your can use your recording software to boost the level using a 'hard limiter 6db boost'software plugin, or buy an outboard EQ unit with a gain knob on the output,.... you can do it in alot of ways.
I have the motu 828 mk2 and that has a gain booster. But i usually use the software plugins to boost my recording volume. |
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| `pr0digy |
| If your level is already at 0dB going into the speaker, wouldn't adding to that gain only create clipping issues ? Also, if you turn up the volume on the speakers all the way, and it's getting a 0dB signal, wouldn't that also create clipping ? At least in the areas of audio I'm familiar with, volume knobs always go louder than needed with a 0dB signal, so that lower volume recordings can still get loud. |
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| SUNWmsf |
Sound is lost during the A/D conversion when you record. Even though your mixer is putting out a near 0dB line level output, your digital recording is probably a little lower than that 0dB level.
Every device that you run your output through (A/D converter is one device), you will lose sound.
So using a POST EQ plugin on your digital recording is probably the best way to regain those sounds that are lost during the A/D conversion. The POST EQ plugin can/will also boost a little gain on those frequencies that are lost so that you can have a 'louder' recording.
so no clipping...
Of course, you have to know how to work your software plugins correctly. |
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| Tiger777 |
| quote: | Originally posted by `pr0digy
Also, if you turn up the volume on the speakers all the way, and it's getting a 0dB signal, wouldn't that also create clipping ? |
No, 'cuz the amplifier has a transformer that has a limited current and volltage (VaC). Clipping occurs when the inputsignal is too strong for the transistors in the amp. That causes a Direct current in stead of an alternate current.
When you put your amp at 100%, your transformer will send its max VaC and the transistors will amplify the signal just perfect (in AC). Ofcource, when there is a Direct current comming from your mixer, that direct current will be amplified and you'll get...Clipping!
Yes, when ever you go over the 0Db of your master out, you get clipping issues. |
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