Setting Levels 101 - Need Help

[Slashbaugh]

Hi guys, I'm a noob when it comes using interfaces so I was hoping to get an education from you all regarding the ax8.

Setup is:

PRS SC245 > Ax8 > Focustite Clarett 2pre (thunderbot interface) > Logic Pro X using JBL lsr305s.

I've got the instrument pad on the Ax8 set to 4db and this just barely clips if I chug really really hard, so I think I'm good there.

On the Focusrite, I have input 1 cranked way up at like 8.5 or 9 (out of ten) and I'm safely in the no clip zone.

Then in the DAW I'm at -6.4db on the track.

The problem is it sounds too fuzzy or driven to hot on an output somewhere... but I don't know where to look. Is there a "setting home studio levels for Dummies" somewhere I can read up on?

Thanks all in advance

 

[toneseeker911]

You are most likely overdriving your focusrite preamp. Do you see the LED on the audio interface going into red ?

Turn down the gain on your interface to 0. Just use the Out1 Main level knob to bump up your levels and make sure you are not clipping either the ax8 output or the preamp input.