I'm really curious to see if I'm crazy or have some kind of major problem here. Whether you are an experienced old timer or a noob, can you try this quick and easy test and let me know what you hear? 

And please don't read what others report until you try it for yourself, as I don't want anyone's responses to be influenced by what others are reporting.


1. Load a piece of music and turn it up loud. Don't pick something too mellow. Can you still hear me? Then turn it up a bit louder.

2. Reduce the volume by exactly 60dB (you can double click on the number below the fader and type "-60").

Report what you hear, be honest:
Is it still (too) loud?

A reasonable level for background music?

Quieter than that?



3. Now reduce the gain an additional 20dB so you're at -80dB. Sonar won't let you go that far on the fader (it jumps from -75dB or something like that to -infinity), so you'll need to use Input Gain or a (flat) EQ's level control or the HW faders or something to get the additional -20dB. 

What do you hear now? Be honest.




Thanks!

indistinct patterns depending on whether it's a lower range instrument like a bass or an upper range instrument like a keyboard.  starts to become almost indistinct at about -78.  after -85 to -90 my ears kinda give out.  don't forget, you can also reduce the volume by using an audio clip gain envelope. 

Starting a bearably loud level, and monitoring on headphones, the music is very quiet but easily heard at -60dB.

The starting volume has to be ear-splitting for me to continue hearing a whisper of sound at -75dB.

At -80dB (widget showing -INF), I think SONAR has effectively muted the output because raising the Input Gain or adding level with a plug-in to compensate (or even generously overcompensate) for the -5dB does not make the signal audible again. So that -75.1dB (or thereabouts) is as low as you go. If it says -INF, regardless of how you set it, the track/bus output is muted.

brundlefly

So that -75.1dB (or thereabouts) is as low as you go. If it says -INF, regardless of how you set it, the track/bus output is muted. 

Yeah, you have to use some other separate gain reduction stage to get below that.

Ok. Tried it. Kinda puzzled as to what you're after. At -60, I could faintly hear the tune. I know the tune well and at -80 I was able to hear light pulses as the song moved along. I brought up the gain 20 to make sure I was hearing what I thought I was and then brought it back to -62 on fader + -18 on gain.

I can hear just faintly the song... I was using noise cancelling headphones with the power switched off. M-Audio Fast Track Ultra interface with the headphones up to 11. 

When I switch the power on, I can definitely hear the song. It must be boosting it for me. What gets boosted sounds like the song... it isn't all distorted or something, if that's what you're after.

Not sure.