Smittefar
Axe-Master
It has been stated that Out 1 is only an attenuator - I cannot remember the source.
@austinbuddy 's and my video about Out 1 are both concerned about getting the same level on the VU meters in the AX8 (just before the D/A converter) and the VU meters in a DAW. To achieve this, we need unity gain across Out 1 (= all the way up) and unity gain across the audio interface/mixer input (= a +4 dBu line input). Not all mixers and audio interfaces will give unity gain even with the channel gain / input trim set to minimum. I found with my own audio interface that if I didn't use the dedicated +4 dBu line in and went through one of the combo inputs that something like 3-5 dB gain was added as a minimum.
If you run a guitar signal into a +4dBu line input, I think you would get an input level around -40 or -60 dBFS (haven't tested). -12 dB(FS = Full Scale) is a very healthy input level. Generally, you want to hit your digital audio interface or mixer with peak levels between -18 and -12 dBFS. That gives you plenty of headroom before clipping (occurs at 0 dBFS). But the daw level really has nothing to do with unity gain. Unity gain, is (in the context I use) that the level that comes out of the AX8 D/A converter is the same level as I get into my DAW/mixer. If the level out of the AX8 DAC is -40 dBFS, unity gain ensures that the level in my DAW is also -40dBFS.
A fader at the 0-line should definitely be unity gain across that fader.
I think @chris is right that a lot of people struggle with 'simple' audio engineering issues and that causes a great deal of questions. To some extent that is a skill we need to learn, when we use the AX8. We have taken over the mic and the mic preamp from the audio engineer, we should know how to handle this - some people also insist on taking over the channel EQ and ask the sound guy to leave the channel EQ flat. I agree that a flat EQ would probably be the best starting point, but if the sound guy think it needs adjustment, I certainly hope he adjusts
There is much to learn; peak levels, VU levels, input sensitivity, input impedance, gain staging etc. Sometimes, it is not possible to learn everything, and there may very well be other variables than optimal gain staging to consider. If turning down Out 1 saves the day, or makes interfacing with your other audio equipment easier, JUST DO IT
EDIT, added: Turning down Out 1 does not affect your tone at all. The only 'penalty' is increased signal to noise ratio (this is a fact, whether you can hear it or not). However, the AX8 has a very very good signal to noise ratio under optimal conditions. So in many cases, especially live, optimizing your signal to noise ratio may not be your primary concern. If your signal to noise ratio goes from 100 dB to 90 dB because your gain staging is not optimal, it probably does not matter. If you play passive single coil pickups, it surely does not matter.
@austinbuddy 's and my video about Out 1 are both concerned about getting the same level on the VU meters in the AX8 (just before the D/A converter) and the VU meters in a DAW. To achieve this, we need unity gain across Out 1 (= all the way up) and unity gain across the audio interface/mixer input (= a +4 dBu line input). Not all mixers and audio interfaces will give unity gain even with the channel gain / input trim set to minimum. I found with my own audio interface that if I didn't use the dedicated +4 dBu line in and went through one of the combo inputs that something like 3-5 dB gain was added as a minimum.
If you run a guitar signal into a +4dBu line input, I think you would get an input level around -40 or -60 dBFS (haven't tested). -12 dB(FS = Full Scale) is a very healthy input level. Generally, you want to hit your digital audio interface or mixer with peak levels between -18 and -12 dBFS. That gives you plenty of headroom before clipping (occurs at 0 dBFS). But the daw level really has nothing to do with unity gain. Unity gain, is (in the context I use) that the level that comes out of the AX8 D/A converter is the same level as I get into my DAW/mixer. If the level out of the AX8 DAC is -40 dBFS, unity gain ensures that the level in my DAW is also -40dBFS.
A fader at the 0-line should definitely be unity gain across that fader.
I think @chris is right that a lot of people struggle with 'simple' audio engineering issues and that causes a great deal of questions. To some extent that is a skill we need to learn, when we use the AX8. We have taken over the mic and the mic preamp from the audio engineer, we should know how to handle this - some people also insist on taking over the channel EQ and ask the sound guy to leave the channel EQ flat. I agree that a flat EQ would probably be the best starting point, but if the sound guy think it needs adjustment, I certainly hope he adjusts
There is much to learn; peak levels, VU levels, input sensitivity, input impedance, gain staging etc. Sometimes, it is not possible to learn everything, and there may very well be other variables than optimal gain staging to consider. If turning down Out 1 saves the day, or makes interfacing with your other audio equipment easier, JUST DO IT
EDIT, added: Turning down Out 1 does not affect your tone at all. The only 'penalty' is increased signal to noise ratio (this is a fact, whether you can hear it or not). However, the AX8 has a very very good signal to noise ratio under optimal conditions. So in many cases, especially live, optimizing your signal to noise ratio may not be your primary concern. If your signal to noise ratio goes from 100 dB to 90 dB because your gain staging is not optimal, it probably does not matter. If you play passive single coil pickups, it surely does not matter.
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