AD-16X: different levels at input, help!

cerla · 17th October 2006, 01:43 AM

Hi

I've connected my Apogee AD16-X to various kind of sources, via high quality DSUB>jack cables:

DJ mixer
Access Virus TI
Lexicon PCM91
Studio Electronics Omega 8 synth
Roland jp8080
Roland jv1080
Waldorf Q
Korg M3

The problem: the first 3 sources sound perfectly (loud, and perfect bass) all other sources are waaaay quieter (like 16 db or something) and bass is very thin.

I suppose it's a balanced/unbalanced problem; the AD16-X has BALANCED inputs, while my instruments outputs are unbalanced (so, I suppose the Access and Lexi have balanced outs).

What to do??? Should I change the cables?

XSergeantD · 17th October 2006, 02:05 AM

I assume you've tried the good signal into the suspect channels.

Your Dsub to jacks - you're saying you got a DSub to TRS cable not to XLR?

muted0 · 17th October 2006, 03:14 AM

Hi,
you shouldn't see a 16dB difference though for balanced/unbalanced...it might be a combination of different cal levels and cabling

The AD16X allows you to calibrate each channel individually and has quite a range.
So you can calibrate your AD16X to adjust for the variety of gear you have.

cerla · 17th October 2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muted0

Hi,
you shouldn't see a 16dB difference though for balanced/unbalanced...it might be a combination of different cal levels and cabling

The AD16X allows you to calibrate each channel individually and has quite a range.
So you can calibrate your AD16X to adjust for the variety of gear you have.

That's what I've done. But even raising the input level to max, the unbalanced instruments are still too quiet, and the bass is very thin.

cerla · 17th October 2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XSergeantD

I assume you've tried the good signal into the suspect channels.

Your Dsub to jacks - you're saying you got a DSub to TRS cable not to XLR?

Yes, basically I have to connect synths.

fastlane · 17th October 2006, 08:51 AM

Have you looked at the internal Jumper settings?? Some of them may have been set different. Have a look in the manual and it will show you where to look inside!!

kosi · 17th October 2006, 09:55 AM

Thin sound ? Please recheck the cables. Sounds like bad cables to me.
What happens, if you change the connections, means take the cable from the Virus and put it in the Roland ?

cerla · 17th October 2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosi

Thin sound ? Please recheck the cables. Sounds like bad cables to me.
What happens, if you change the connections, means take the cable from the Virus and put it in the Roland ?

It's not the cable. If I take the Virus cable (Virus sounds good) and put it in another instrument, that instrument still sound low w/no bass.

I've discovered that both Virus and Lexi have BALANCED outs.
Cables are balanced (2 rings)

kosi · 17th October 2006, 10:18 AM

Do you mean all he jacks are balanced (2 rings) ? Maybe that's the problem. Try Mono jacks on the unbalanced gear (solder minus to mass)
Maybe this helps.

cerla · 17th October 2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosi

Do you mean all he jacks are balanced (2 rings) ? Maybe that's the problem. Try Mono jacks on the unbalanced gear (solder minus to mass)
Maybe this helps.

I think this could be the problem... I understand low level, but no bass means phase issues for sure... but is there a way to unbalance the cables without soldering, etc.? Like a adapter or something?

Thanx

kosi · 17th October 2006, 10:44 AM

Try this: open the jack and connect the negative pin to mass with a screwdriver or something metallic. (a second person is now very habdy :)
Any differences ?

cerla · 17th October 2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosi

Try this: open the jack and connect the negative pin to mass with a screwdriver or something metallic. (a second person is now very habdy :)
Any differences ?

Kosi....

SOLVED!

Bass is back, and level too! That was the problem...
Now I have to unbalance 12 cables... time to learn how to solder...

Thanxx a lot for your precious help

kosi · 17th October 2006, 11:45 AM

good luck !

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17th October 2006, 01:43 AM	#1
cerla Gear Head Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 51	AD-16X: different levels at input, help! Hi I've connected my Apogee AD16-X to various kind of sources, via high quality DSUB>jack cables: DJ mixer Access Virus TI Lexicon PCM91 Studio Electronics Omega 8 synth Roland jp8080 Roland jv1080 Waldorf Q Korg M3 The problem: the first 3 sources sound perfectly (loud, and perfect bass) all other sources are waaaay quieter (like 16 db or something) and bass is very thin. I suppose it's a balanced/unbalanced problem; the AD16-X has BALANCED inputs, while my instruments outputs are unbalanced (so, I suppose the Access and Lexi have balanced outs). What to do??? Should I change the cables?

17th October 2006, 02:05 AM	#2
XSergeantD Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,003	I assume you've tried the good signal into the suspect channels. Your Dsub to jacks - you're saying you got a DSub to TRS cable not to XLR? __________________ - Brent - www.StudioAtThePalms.com Without music, life would be a mistake - Nietzsche Cake or Death? [/SIGPIC]

17th October 2006, 03:14 AM	#3
muted0 Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1	AD16X allows individual Calibration Hi, you shouldn't see a 16dB difference though for balanced/unbalanced...it might be a combination of different cal levels and cabling The AD16X allows you to calibrate each channel individually and has quite a range. So you can calibrate your AD16X to adjust for the variety of gear you have.

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17th October 2006, 08:51 AM	#6
fastlane Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ireland Posts: 553	Have you looked at the internal Jumper settings?? Some of them may have been set different. Have a look in the manual and it will show you where to look inside!!

17th October 2006, 09:55 AM	#7
kosi Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 612	Thin sound ? Please recheck the cables. Sounds like bad cables to me. What happens, if you change the connections, means take the cable from the Virus and put it in the Roland ?

17th October 2006, 10:18 AM	#9
kosi Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 612	Do you mean all he jacks are balanced (2 rings) ? Maybe that's the problem. Try Mono jacks on the unbalanced gear (solder minus to mass) Maybe this helps.

17th October 2006, 10:44 AM	#11
kosi Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 612	Try this: open the jack and connect the negative pin to mass with a screwdriver or something metallic. (a second person is now very habdy :) Any differences ?

17th October 2006, 11:45 AM	#13
kosi Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Berlin Posts: 612	good luck !