Let's Talk About Output Levels

TheLongColdDark

TheLongColdDark

Member
So let me first explain my general Preset routing. I don't think this is anything too unorthodox. I run everything fairly linearly, but split off before the cab block. One path includes the cab block, which goes to Output 1. I go to FOH/my interface with that. The pre-cab block split path goes to Output 2 directly, which I then send to a Seymour Duncan Powerstage, and out to my speaker cabinet.

But I'm a little uncertain if I'm leveling things properly as it pertains to sending signal to each output block. They meter completely different from one another. Output 1 will easily output in the red, and I have the Level set to -12 db to get it back to safe levels. Output 2 however is barely registering a -30 or -31 db on the meter, and I increase the Level control to 6.0 db to give it some proper output.

I guess what I am wondering is, in order to emulate the "real" amp/cab behavior as authentically as possible, what is the best practice in terms of the output levels of these blocks? Am I doing something wrong? Should each Output block be tickling the red in the meter? Should I be backing off the amp block's levels so they don't peak out other things later in the chain? Etc, etc.

Sorry if this has been covered before, and thank you for any assistance you can offer.
 
By default, out 2 is set to unity gain, which is suitable for an fx loop. Change that output type I/O setting and they should be the same, assuming you’re not adding gain after the branch point.
 
GlennO said:
By default, out 2 is set to unity gain, which is suitable for an fx loop. Change that output type I/O setting and they should be the same, assuming you’re not adding gain after the branch point.
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No gain added after the Output blocks. They are the end of the chain for me.

But again, for the application I am describing, do I "want" them to be the same or is that unity gain output suitable for the Powerstage?

Thanks again.
 
TheLongColdDark said:
I guess what I am wondering is, in order to emulate the "real" amp/cab behavior as authentically as possible, what is the best practice in terms of the output levels of these blocks?
Click to expand...
Out level cames AFTER the amp block, so it does not change at all the behavior of the amp.
I guess your doubt refer to "gain staging" with plugins and external audio I/O. You don't need to worry, just plug your guitar, set input level to tickle the red with loudest strumming and/or PM, your FM3 internal amp levels are matched to be authentics. You can alter level with trim (within amp block) or using block BEFORE the amp block that change level.
 
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