NAM calibration: find audio interface unity gain level

[MirrorProfiles]

Turns out that turning Input Gain to 0 gives me almost no Input level (Reapers Meter is showing only down to something around -54dB - nothing is moving until I move the Input gain). Seems like the Komplete Audio is -almost- turning off the Input or is using a pad

That sounds more like a trim than a gain control.

Well, I tried that now. Turns out that turning Input Gain to 0 gives me almost no Input level (Reapers Meter is showing only down to something around -54dB - nothing is moving until I move the Input gain). Seems like the Komplete Audio is -almost- turning off the Input or is using a pad. It is different with the UR22 I've had at hand. It does explain why I've had lots of hiss when using my Guitar with no gain into the Interface. Might be useful as it could allow me to turn up the Input on the React:IR (as it has the 'High-End roll off bug), but...

... I still don't know where 7dB is, as I have no measurable signal for reference at 0 Gain. Any suggestions how to still calibrate my chain?

I’d just measure with a sine wave and multimeter and set your input level wherever makes most sense for you

 

[bikescene]

Turns out that turning Input Gain to 0 gives me almost no Input level (Reapers Meter is showing only down to something around -54dB - nothing is moving until I move the Input gain).

I’ve moved from interface to interface and have been able to calibrate my input using the multimeter method that the other videos demonstrated in this thread.

I wanted to mention something about noise. I upgraded from a Steinberg UR824 to a RME UCX II a couple weeks back. I noticed quite a noticeable improvement in the noise floor.

Typical Steinberg UR824 peak noise levels for my instrument input and line inputs set around 12dBu-18dBu were hovering around -85 to -90dBFS with something plugged in. I think my noise floor was even worse with older interfaces.

With the RME, noise floor is pretty much at -98 to -101dBFS for the instrument and line inputs at minimum gain (13 to 19dBu). With an EMG-equipped guitar plugged in, guitar volume up full, and my hands on the strings, the noise floor of the instrument input was observed at -91dBFS on the Reaper meters.

 

[FrankyFire]

That sounds more like a trim than a gain control.


I’d just measure with a sine wave and multimeter and set your input level wherever makes most sense for you

Well, that's gotta be it then. Sadly my multimeter broke. Gotta get a new one then.

 

[2dor]

Well, I tried that now. Turns out that turning Input Gain to 0 gives me almost no Input level (Reapers Meter is showing only down to something around -54dB - nothing is moving until I move the Input gain). Seems like the Komplete Audio is -almost- turning off the Input or is using a pad. It is different with the UR22 I've had at hand. It does explain why I've had lots of hiss when using my Guitar with no gain into the Interface. Might be useful as it could allow me to turn up the Input on the React:IR (as it has the 'High-End roll off bug), but...

... I still don't know where 7dB is, as I have no measurable signal for reference at 0 Gain. Any suggestions how to still calibrate my chain?

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