Setting Operating Levels - DigiDesign 96 I/O Manual

Setting Operating Levels

There are specific windows within the Pro Tools
Hardware Setup dialog in which to make I/O set-
tings specific to your 96 I/O. These include set-
ting input and output operating levels.
Hardware Setup dialog with 96 I/O as the Primary
audio interface
Choosing +4 dBu or –10 dBV
Operating Levels
It is important that you determine which line
level is appropriate for your studio. In +4 dBu
operating mode, the 96 I/O is a 24-bit digital
audio device capable of producing audio signals
up to + 18 dBu across +4 dBu input/output. The
default headroom value is 14 dB. This translates
to a maximum output of + 18 dBu.
Check the owner's manual for your mixer,
power amplifier or effects processor to see if it
can handle this load. If the other devices in your
studio cannot handle this load, consider lower-
ing the headroom value of Pro Tools.
About Input Operating Levels
As with Output levels, check the owner's man-
ual for your mixer, power amplifier or effects
processor to see if it operates more comfortably
at line level, in which case consider setting the
96 I/O to operate at –10 dBV line levels.
14 96 I/O Guide
Consider the following when connecting a
mixer:
If your mixer cannot handle more than 1.5V
(RMS) inputs at +4 dBu, then you should set the
96 I/O to operate at –10 dBV line level.
If your mixer can handle up to 6.15V (RMS)
inputs, or has pads or attenuators on its inputs,
then you can use the +4 dBu setting on the
96 I/O.
96 I/O is calibrated for 14 dB headroom at the
+4 dBu setting.
Most manuals contain device input specifica-
tions, including whether or not there are pads or
attenuators. Consult the manufacturer's docu-
mentation for your mixer or power amplifier for
further information.
Selecting Analog Input Operating
Levels
If you want to switch the input levels of the
96 I/O from +4 dBu to –10 dBV, you can access
these parameters, on a channel-by-channel ba-
sis, in the Hardware Setup dialog.
To Set Input Operating Levels:
Launch Pro Tools.
1
Choose Setups > Hardware Setup in Pro Tools.
2
Selecting +4 dBu or –10 dBV levels in the Hardware
Setup Dialog