Something in your setup changed. There were no changes to the AES/SPDIF level.
Thanks. Cliff, if, you say it's me, then it's me, but I thought it important to report and also see if others have/see similar issue.
The difference is noticeable in my console. I did audio example below.
Loop plays twice through the maxxed Output1, then after short silence the same loop plays twice through S/PDIF. This is direct into Logic.
I did this test also with sine wave/synth block and got exactly -21db on XLR and -18db on S/PDIF.
Tried two different S/PDIFs into two different UAudios units (to make sure that the Twin's TosLink optical convertor wasn't maybe mucking with it - the other Apollo 8 input doesn't use a convertor/goes straight to Axe-Fx II).
Under Quantum 8, 9 (and I think 10), I used to run my XL Output1 at 11:30/noon and that preset signal from XLRs matched the S/PDIF signal output on my console.
Under ARES 1.03, now have to max the Output1 knob to get XLR signal to approximate S/PDIF signal level -- and am still -3db short of the S/PDIF digital signal strength on meters into my UAudio console on every preset.
Adding a third Apollo 8 unit a few months ago is only thing changed. Can't see why that addition may have kicked up a S/PDIF level 3db, but maybe so... No such controls or pads on S/PDIF in UAudio Console.
Cliff, do your Axe-Fx II's AES output and S/PDIF digital output levels also visually match your XLR output signal levels on console meters off same preset into a digital console?
The new challenge for me is preset leveling for any TonePacks updates on the Axe-Fx II. If I level to XLRs at -12db, then S/PDIF can be too hot. If I level to S/PDIF at -12db, then XLRs outs will sound weaker than in the past on those presets to users not using S/PDIF...
Thought maybe a workaround was, "I'll just add 3db at Global EQ Output1 to compensate at XLR level" and advise others to do the same if they see same issue -- but in testing that, I see that 3db addition at Global EQ also affects S/PDIF output signal levels too...
Thanks for reviewing. I know you have more important fish to fry...