State of the Art...Digital Drums / Output Levels...SUCKIE...!!!

what are you plugging them into?  soundboard?  soundcard?  is it the same on both?

which preamps have you tried and not liked?  if you have to have a preamp for it, try something like the grace m101 (or 2 channel unit m201) or true systems.  they're pretty transparent gain.

Yup something like this should set you straight.

Upon reflection it occurs to me to add...

One reason the idea of direct box may seem good is that the mic input of the next device in line will typically have a lot more gain than the line input on the same device. So by stepping down to a mic output... you can then use the whole preamp.


One reason the idea of a direct box may seem bad is that the step down will increase the noise to signal and so the signal to noise ratio will suffer... especially when you turn it all back up in the next preamp.



But, I think in balance of considerations, the extra gain may seem more useful in practical use... and so the direct box will work ok.


I would still prefer to find the ideal interconnection where the SNR stay as good as what comes out of the drum module.



all the best,
mike

Mark

Ideally, if the input is switched to match a -10dBv signal then the ADA will see all the voltage it needs for you to record at suitable levels and it will translate the signal to digital without adding any extra noise in the signal to noise ratio.

If you pump a -10dBv signal into a +4 dBu input by using gain at some interstage to get enough voltage at the ADA then you are also turning up the noise. But it should stay relatively even. That's what I figure you are doing by your OP description.

If you turn down the signal with some sort of step down only to turn it up again in the next stage... not only will you turn up the sound and noise but the SNR will lower proportionally. You will add noise to the signal... so I'd avoid that scenario if possible.

I suspect you already know this... I'm just throwing it out on the table for the discussion.


best regards,
mike

It just depends how the circuit around the a to d is designed.

If the the +4dBu input on the device is padded (rather than the -10dBV being stepped up) and -10dBV is straight through than it will be an ideal match for a device that puts out a nominal -10dBV signal.

I'm not sure how to know how each different device is designed.

best regards,
mike
 

I hadn't considered the Lynx... I'd imagine that it's truly designed for a nominal +4dBu.

I think you'd find that many of the cheaper 'sumer grade stuff, with the cost saving power supplies, run at lower levels and just pad the "pro" +4dBu input on the way in. They still sound clean... so I thought that might be worth a try.

Honestly... if you really feel the drum brain lacks output I wouldn't hesitate to run it thru a preamp and boost it on the way in to your system. You may get a bit of noise after that but I think that would be something you can dial out with gain staging and some EQ.


Good luck.

best regards,
mike

yeah...
 
called lynx...& they sed it was neither (padded or stepped)...that it was 'either potential made available to the A/D thru switching' (???).
 
anyway...houndawg is correct, but I have to get their remote software to do so...otherwise...when the aurora 8's INPUT is switched to -10...the OUTPUT is also switched.
 
this is exactly why I never heard a difference on the digital drums...makes perfect sense, now.
 
with the remote software, the I/O switch link can be opened, with the OUTPUT allowed to remain at +4 while the INPUT is switched to -10...that will make my difference.
 
(the higher gain was always there when I switched to -10...SONAR recorded at that higher level...I just couldn't hear it due to the OUTPUT also dropping.  now real time monitoring will reflect true state).
 
have to determine my firmware build first, tho...to get the correct driver & remote updates...'bout to do that right now.
 
 
Houndawg...

will answer ur PM later...but I was going to follow directions in the manual to get my global output at max...(don't want to differ from the kit component level differences...just get the master out higher).  the mod is the TD-9.
 
thanx to both of u...will get back w/ results
 
 
mark forman 

Mark,
I don't know the technical aspect of it all, but I am also using the TD-9 and haven't had any trouble at all.  My interface is a relatively inexpensive m-audio fast track pro. 

The Lynx is a deluxe unit that is intended to integrate with a studio full of +4dBu preamps and rack gear.

Some of that gear can hit +26dBu before you hear anything you might not use.

The lynx is designed to work gracefully while being attacked and ravaged by signals that are many times hotter than what's coming out of the TD-9. It isn't really designed to provide make up gain to a weaker signal.

It doesn't have input gain knobs... The newer ones have trim pots in case you need to make some small long term compensation to suit a particular piece of gear.

I'm still thinking a preamp with a line input is the way to go.

best regards,
mike

I'm glad you have it worked out.

Did you had to switch a bank of 4 pairs of inputs to -10dBV? Or only 4 mono inputs?


best,
mike