Tack så hemskt mycket för hjälpen, alla! Nu har det blivit klart. Jag fick dessutom samma svar från TC support. För de nyfikna, här är vår dialog.
************************
Customer (Dmitry Palagin) 11/16/2004 11:02 AM
I have just bought a Triple-C stereo channel compressor, and have observed the following strange fact. Whatever I plug into the compressor (mic.preamp, synth, mix from a sound card) - the input level in the Triple-C appears to be approx. 10dB lower than that of the actual input material. I use analog inputs.
Is it a failure or should it be that way, and why then?
One more question: what are the "Out range" and "Out level" options in the IO menu, and how should I use them?
************************
Response (Quinton Nixon) 11/22/2004 02:01 PM
Hi Dmitry,
What kind of sound card are you using? Does it have balanced or unbalanced i/o? How are you determining that the level in the Triple C is 10dB lower than the "actual input material?"
The Out Level is an attenuator. At 0dB the output is at its maximum. You can attenuate the output by 100dB. The Out range defines the output headroom of the unit. I would recommend using an output range of 20dB and out level at 0dB. If the device following the Triple C is being overloaded then you may want to reduce the out level.
************************
Customer (Dmitry Palagin) 11/22/2004 03:23 PM
I use an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard, which has unbalanced analog outputs. I also tried to plug my Studio Projects VTB1 preamp into the Triple-C. I determine that "the level in the Triple-C is 10dB lower than that of the actual input material" by comparing the meters of the Triple-C and of the source. For example, when I play a track on my sound card, it reaches -0.5dB, while the Triple-C input meter never rises higher than -12dB.
Can it be the unbalanced/balanced i/o link that causes this effect? If I connect two devices via balanced ports, do I need a special cable?
Regards,
Dmitry
************************
Response (Quinton Nixon) 11/23/2004 10:33 AM
Hi Dmitry,
It may indeed simply be a matter of balanced vs. unbalanced. Unbalanced line level is -10 and balanced line level is +4. So yes, -.5dB into an unbalanced system would be about -12 (or possible lower) going into a balanced system.
Have you tried using the SPDIF i/o on your soundcard. This will eliminate any level mismatches between the devices.
There do exist cables for connected balanced and unbalanced gear. In order to account for the change in level, however, you would need a device such as the Ebtech Line Level shifter.
************************