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Audio capture non-karma – non-matching meters on mixer and FCP
When capturing a clip with audio, I find that in order to get a good level (-12 peaks) in FCP, I have to set the levels on my Mackie mixer to one LED below “clip.” This doesn’t allow for much flexibility with the fluctuating levels of documentary footage.
I set up my system myself, and perhaps I missed something. Is there a way to get the Mackie and FCP into harmony?
— Bob C
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9 Replies
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Have you run tone in and out of the system to zero everything out? -20 is analog zero, so if you are trying to get -12, then that makes sense. What capture device are you using and how is it wired?
Jeremy
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I’m using Kona LHe into a MacPro, latest FCP version, by way of a Mackie 1402 -> patchbay -> LHe.
Thanks Jeremy — you’ve helped me figure this out, but I’ve encountered another mystery.
I think my “balanced” patchbay must not be, despite its label. When I run audio through the patchbay, tone at 0 analog comes into the FCP meters at just a shade above -24 (iow, at about -23, or the top of the numbers “-24”).
When I bypass the patchbay, and run audio directly from the Mackie into the LHe, analog “0” becomes… FCP -17ish.
Any thoughts, besides ditching the patchbay?
— Bob C
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What kind of patchbay?
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Also, the audio meter within FCP sucks in terms of it’s markings. It’s hard to get an accurate reading from within FCP.
What happens when coming out of FCP?
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Tone out from FCP reads -12 on the FCP meter. I’m not sure how else to assess the output. It is well within range of “0” on the Mackie, after setting the Trim.
Going into FCP, there are two potential sources of signal loss: running the signal through the patchbay, or using Alt 3/4 or Main Out from the Mackie. I don’t think it’s the patchbay, a Tascam PB-32B which tests balanced along with its cables feeding. I have yet to test the Mackie’s Alt 3/4 (which I use for the patchbay route) vs. the Main Out. (I’ve set both to “0” but maybe they aren’t the same??)
I don’t have any other outboard meter yet, though I’ve ordered the Radio Lab RU-SM16. I suspect that is the only way I can figure this out. Meanwhile, I’ll just boost the levels to the top range of the Mackie.
Thanks for your suggestions.
— Bob
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I’m asking, if you play out tone-20 in FCP, what does your mixer/analog deck read when the pots are set to unity, with and then without the patchbay. I am trying to see what the patchbay is doing to the signal.
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Thanks — I will try that when I get past this deadline. More later.
— Bob
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[JeremyG] “what does your mixer/analog deck read when the pots are set to unity, with and then without the patchbay. I am trying to see what the patchbay is doing to the signal.”
Just tried it, Jeremy — no difference, even going straight into the same mixer input and swapping out cable for cable via patchbay/direct.
btw, I’m following the thread above about “analog too hot” and those tips are interesting.
Thanks for your help.
— Bob
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No problem. As long as you have everything more or less set to unity and your patchbay is not attenuating the signal in any way, you should be good with analog. If not, use the mixer to tweak levels.
Have fun!
Jeremy
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