Why is my SP/DIF input quiet in Logic Pro?

Can anyone please suggest why my drums, inputted via SP/DIF are really quiet in Logic Pro 9.1.3?

The strange thing is that their volume looks healthy in and out of my Fireface 800 software mixer panel (Fireface 2.62, Fireface Mixer E2A) it's dancing about in the middle of the meter strip - but the signal arriving in Logic from there is really quiet, down in the bottom 5-8% of the strip with the slider set at 0DB.

If I apply a 12DB Gain insert in Logic, the level in the Fireface mixer out is on the border of clipping and yet the drum track is still way too low in the mix.

All other levels in and out are fine, from analogue and software instruments. I'm using a Logic Pro 9.1.3, Fireface 800, Mac Pro 2 x 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 8GB RAM, OS X 10.6.6, Roland TDW20 Expanded V-Drums. The drum signal is synced at 44.1Khz and that's the only signal path from them to Fireface and Logic.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Logic Pro 9.1.3, Fireface 800

Posted on Apr 6, 2012 12:36 PM

24 replies

Apr 19, 2012 3:28 PM in response to Phil the Muso

Unfortunately the gold-plated S/PDIF cable made no difference to the level.

The S/PDIF Roland drums signal into Logic is peaking at -17DB, whilst my Fireface 800 mixer reports it peaking at about -36DB at input and 32DB at output.

I connected the signal into a minidisc recorder instead and that reported it as peaking at about -17DB too.

Should I just conclude that it's a quiet output from the Roland drums?

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Apr 19, 2012 3:41 PM in response to Phil the Muso

Phil, Question... does anything you do in the Roland affect the level of the digital out?

What about adjusting the level of the individual drums or one of the kits.

It could be a gain staging problem.

Apr 19, 2012 4:01 PM in response to Pancenter

Hi Pancenter, thanks. I can change the relative levels of the drums in the Roland but they're set as high as I can make them without being imbalanced, i.e. the cymbals are at full output and the drum sliders set to appropriate relative levels around 75-80% of full output. I've not found any master out affecting the level of the digital out, none is mentioned in the manual, and a posting in a Roland V-drums forum said the digital out level isn't adjustable. Maybe Roland just miscalibrated the output?

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Apr 19, 2012 4:28 PM in response to Phil the Muso

Well, as long as you're recording at 24 bit the signal is not going to be degraded and bringing the level up (don't normailize) in Logic's 64-bit mixer will not do any damage either so the signal integrity should be intact.

Apr 21, 2012 7:31 AM in response to Pancenter

Thanks Pancenter. I guess that's my best option. Thanks.

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Apr 21, 2012 10:53 AM in response to Phil the Muso

There is always the option of creating an Input channel strip and adding a gain plug to the first insert slot.

Apr 23, 2012 4:41 PM in response to Pancenter

Thanks Pancenter. That seems my only available solution and has resulted in a practical recording situation - wow especially with the new iPad remote control app so I don't have to keep getting up from the drums to get to the computer. All the best, Phil.

Apr 23, 2012 5:14 PM in response to Phil the Muso

Depending on what you need to do, the Apple Remote is also suitable to start, stop, record, rewind, fast forward Logic...

Apr 25, 2012 3:00 PM in response to I want My ES2

Wow, I didn't know that. That's pretty neat. I don't have one with my Mac Pro (I guess they're bluetooth which isn't installed on it) but my iMac using friend will find that an immensely helpful tip. Thanks Pancenter.

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Why is my SP/DIF input quiet in Logic Pro?