V-700R preamp settings

1. The line level output of a tube pre-amp will be plugged in to a V-700R input. If I want the V-700R input to act like a typical line level input with no gain added, how do I do that? What are the settings? If this is written up in the help or documentation let me know. I didn't find any discussion of this typical use of an audio IO device.

2. The help for the preamp parameters says the gain goes from 0 to 44db. The V-700R display shows 20 to 64 db with an option of a -20 db pad. Does this mean the gain range really is 0 to 64 db? Am I missing something? Does the -20db pad really reduce the input level or does it cut out 20db of gain?

3. Preamps often have a gain range of 0 to 60 db these days (Great River). Is that what the V-700R pre-amps offer? Or, is 44db the maximum of V-700R preamp gain?

4. The compressor has a make up gain of 30 db. Does that mean that the maximum gain could be 90 db if the compressor didn't do any gain reduction?

5. Can I run a stand alone interface to control the V-700R pre-amps and mixer without Sonar running? I didn't see any option in the Windows start menu.

Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris,

There's a little display issue with the preamp. This is a known issue and should be addressed in a future update. When -20db pad is on (by default) the numeric value of the preamp signal display is off by 20db. The display should really read 0-44db, not 20-64db. This is a display issue so you can get line level for external preamps, no problem. Just keep the -20db pad on and do not adjust the preamp fader for 0db line level signal.

With the -20db pad disabled (not illuminated orange), the preamp does engage 20-64 db of gain as displayed by the plug in property page and console in i/o control mode.

Yes, the compressor can add an extra 30 db to the input signal.

You wrote:

It appears that a full +4dBu input corresponds to a 0 db digital level after conversion. Is that the correct way to understand it?

That is correct. The VS-700 preamp stage will behave just like a mixing board with on board preamps, allowing you to make adjustments for +4dbu or -10dBV using the console plug in or i/o control. Bottom line, do what sounds best and don't allow digital clipping and you'll get good tones on disk.

Yes there is.

In windows, explore the VS-700 installer disk. Open the Tools directory. In the tools directory there is a Readme_E file with instructions on how to install the VS700 stand alone utility. Basically, you run the setup in this Tools directory to include the stand alone editor.

Hi,

No, the VS-700 does not have a loop back driver. I'll pass along your suggestion to the Roland Driver Development Team for consideration.

If your computer's motherboard has a built in sound card, it may have a "what you hear" or CD audio out driver available. Switching to WDM for this task should reveal if you have one of these drivers.

I highly recommend using the import audio CD function from the File menu - import - Import Audio CD. This is a faster than real time import and will give you better quality audio than what's on the internet.