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I'm asking about the audio standard (of course) but mostly in relation to the A16 Ultra since there is a user switch setting to choose one or the other standard. I've always had mine set to +4 but recently decided (just for grins) to try -10. The first thing I noticed was that I got a lot more gain into the convertor and I could reduce the gain at the preamps. I assume this is a good thing all around but I'm curious about this course of action and what it might mean for me down the road. I hardly ever think about such stuff unless it's a problem. I perceive an improvement, but is it really an improvement? Or am I just fooling myself?

it has to do with unbalanced signals and balanced signals.

if you send balanced signals in (with stereo jacks and an xlr on the output of the device for instance) you should put it on +4. if you send unbalanced in, what most synths send out, you should set it to -10.

it's just a matter of different standards

yes, that's right.

pro balanced gear is referenced(0 on the meters) to +4.
prosumer/consumer unbalanced gear is referenced to -10.

the proper setting is the one that matches the gear it's being used with the best.

garyb wrote:yes, that's right.

pro balanced gear is referenced(0 on the meters) to +4.
prosumer/consumer unbalanced gear is referenced to -10.

the proper setting is the one that matches the gear it's being used with the best.

There ya go - you're right all the meters on all my preamps go up to +4. So, ok. Hmm... So what? How does the metering impact all this. Will I eventually run headlong into a problem somewhere down the road? I guess I'm coming back around to the fact that I don't have to turn up the gain as much on the preamps to get the same or stronger input on the A16. Wouldn't that be considered a good thing in spite of what the meters are telling me?

no, 0 is 0 regardless.

the only advantage/disadvantage is if the noisefloor could be lowered....the pre might sound better opened up more, or not...whatever way works the best...

Well what are you inputting into the A16 - mostly synths and other unbalanced sources, or mic preamps with XLR/TRS (balanced) outputs?

Mostly mic pres with balanced outputs. In fact, now that I think about it, they are all balanced outputs from various mic preamps. I have only rarely plugged an unbalanced device into my A16.

I understand the metering issue but I guess I wonder out loud "so what". Frankly, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to preamp meters (well... I do and I don't) but I do pay a whole lot of attention to what my DAW meters are telling me. And I pay attention to what the A16 meters are telling me.

I know my thinking must be wrong or skewed somewhere but I'm having difficulty deciding where the problem is really.

Well with balanced lines i would always recommend going +4dB. At the other setting it's expecting a low level signal - hence it boosts it up. i would suggest that if you're not getting enough level at +4dB then i would pay more attention to getting you preamp output hotter before it hits the A16.

you want to open up the mic pre enough to get the best s/n ratio and alsothe best tone. often pres sound best when driven a bit, probably not up to clipping(although sometimes that's nice for fattening things like drums), but still opened up a bit....a good sounding recording is good sounding, regardless of right and wrong, however.

Thanks for the responses.