Topic: Edirol R-09 - what is the real unity gain setting?

[vanark]

Per the FAQ,

12) What line-in level is optimal? According to messages, such as this one, level setting 8: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=68518.msg947298#msg947298

But, I've also seen others, like guysonic and SunWizard, suggest it is not 8.

I wrote to Roland today and got a response.  I actually think the answer doesn't really address the issue, but maybe someone can interpret it.

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Question: I'm trying to determine what gain setting to use (0-30) on the R-09 if I want my mic preamp (line-in) to handle the attenuation/amplification fully rather than the R-09. I've heard some say 8 and others say 17. I sure would appreciate the experts telling me which is actually is.  Thanks! 

Answer from Roland Support:
0dBu is the default input level setting on the R-09--this is also number 13 for the input level. You can use this as a template to set your volume levels.
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So, does that mean 13 is unity gain?

[vanark]

Okay, I called Roland to be sure I was understanding the answer.  The the mic gain switch on the back on the low setting, 13 on the input level is no gain - the nominal value.  Now I guess we can discuss if the answer is correct. 

[it-goes-to-eleven]

13 doesn't sound very lucky.   If you run the r09 at 13, I'll bet the input jack would break. Why not compromise at 11?

[Ozpeter]

Some say that 13 is the correct value for Hi-MD recorders, which are also scaled 0 - 30 (or 1 - 30, can't quite remember)  - for what it's worth.  That's certainly the figure which should never be gone below as that would imply distortion at the mic preamp.

[vanark]

Does the FAQ need to be updated?

[udovdh]

If level 13 is 0dbU for mic in (low sens) and also the unit gain setting, then I can say:

According to my estimates, 17 on on the line in dial is the unity gain position for line in. (linear scale from -13 to 16 dBu (plus mute for level 0))

So: is the scale indead linearly distributed?

[vanark]

Roland said 13 on line-in. They were quite firm on this.  I didn't ask about the scale distribution.

[lbgspam]

Roland said 13 on line-in. They were quite firm on this.  I didn't ask about the scale distribution.

I am happy to update the FAQ once it is confirmed in independent tests that this value is correct.

Someone else measuring said it was 11 then this was disproved after tons of discussion.  All in all, this unity thing is a mess .

If a sound engineer could weigh in and give us some real world tests to confirm?

[spyder9]

I've been operating at 8 all the while.  Everything has been fine.  I too would like to know what unity is. 

[Mr.Fantasy]

I too would like to know what unity is.

Ditto.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I'd like to know what setting it sounds best at.

[vanark]

I too would like to know what unity is.

Ditto.

Roland/Edirol themselves said it was 13.

[gmm6797]

Its a few weeks off, but I can run both of my R-09's at a "stand taping show" on November 2nd by splitting the signal out of my pre-amp.... if nothing comes out by then

[lbgspam]

This guys said unity measured was 8.

However, it was later disproved...

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,68518.msg947298.html#msg947298

[lbgspam]

When recording live rock music I have found that since I  need to set the Mic Gain switch to LOW, I need to set the level closer to 24.

I use two AKG C1000S (each is a cardiod mic that provides it's own power via a 9v  battery) and plug into the MIC In port.  Though I assume this unity setting doesn't apply to Mic in taping...