Where would I set my input levels on my ad2k+ ( 14 - 24) for a V2?
The V2 outputs a maximum of +27 dB (balanced) and +21 dBu (unbalanced).
The ad2k+ says to set the input level 3 - 6 dB before the mic preamp clips.
Seems to me I would set the ad2k+ at the 22 or 24 dBu level.
I get confused between dBu and dB.
Again thanx for the advice.
yeah, you're in the ballpark. If you're connecting the two with unbalanced cables (why, I don't know, but I guess you could), then that would make a difference, but otherwise somewhere in the 20-24 range
+27 dB (or dBv) is ~+29dBu, so you should be able to run the AD2k+ at +24dBu w/o worries.
Thanx Guys!
Quote from: hi and lo on July 03, 2013, 06:35:17 PM
+27 dB (or dBv) is ~+29dBu, so you should be able to run the AD2k+ at +24dBu w/o worries.
this is how I run the combo.
turn that dial all the way over to the left...
OK, so taking this one step further, once determining the optimal point, is there any disadvantage to running the ad2k+ below that as long as you aren't distorting.
I am pretty sure that the two devices are calibrated closest this way. That is to say that what reads as peak is on the v2 is a peak on the ad2k+. For instance, when red lights are solid on the v2, I get over on the ad2k at this setting. When the dial was turned down, I would not get overs on the ad2k+
you want +24 (least sensitive)
if it had +27 that would be 'matched', but it doesnt, so +24 is as good as it gets
Quote from: jerryfreak on July 31, 2013, 05:07:07 PM
you want +24 (least sensitive)
if it had +27 that would be 'matched', but it doesnt, so +24 is as good as it gets
Based on what I recall, even if the AD2K did have a +27 sensitivity setting, it would be better to have it set one or two dB's below that. With the the AD2K set to +24, you'll get digital clipping at +24 dB, and because you know that the V2 won't overload until +27, as long as you're not getting any digital clipping, you will also know that you're not overloading the pre-amp.
Basically, you always want the A/D converter calibrated such that it clips digitally before your upstream pre-amp overloads. otherwise, if the pre-amp can overload before the A/D clips, then you could get a crappy recording (because the pre-amp overloads) and not know it just from watching levels.
Quote from: JasonSobel on July 31, 2013, 08:51:12 PM
Quote from: jerryfreak on July 31, 2013, 05:07:07 PM
you want +24 (least sensitive)
if it had +27 that would be 'matched', but it doesnt, so +24 is as good as it gets
Based on what I recall, even if the AD2K did have a +27 sensitivity setting, it would be better to have it set one or two dB's below that. With the the AD2K set to +24, you'll get digital clipping at +24 dB, and because you know that the V2 won't overload until +27, as long as you're not getting any digital clipping, you will also know that you're not overloading the pre-amp.
Remember that you need to convert dBv to dBU.
Quote from: hi and lo on July 03, 2013, 06:35:17 PM
+27 dB (or dBv) is ~+29dBu, so you should be able to run the AD2k+ at +24dBu w/o worries.
I realize that the V2 manual (http://www.gracedesign.com/support/v2_manual_a.pdf) lists the max balanced output as +27 dB, and the max unbalanced output as +21 dBu. However, I think that's a typo, and I think the max balanced output on the V2 is actually +27 dBu. I think this is the case because balanced outputs, coming from the same amplifier circuit, are 6 dB higher than unbalanced outputs. +21dBu + 6dB = +27dBu. (this 6dB difference between the balanced and unbalanced outputs is also true with the V3, except that there's no typo in the V3 manual... +25dBu vs +19dBu for the V3).
in any case, regardless of whether or not the max V2 output is +27 dBu or ~+29 dBu, with the AD2K on minimum sensitivity (set to clip at +24dBu input), the AD2K will digitally clip before the pre-amp overloads, so as long as your levels look good, you'll be good to go.
Ah, good catch. That could be a typo.
Typos aside, I have found what Jason said to be absolutely true...