Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Well, first off, I'd recommend using the S/PDIF out of the XL-7 into the S/PDIF in of the RME.  You will also get a low level that way, but normalized, it will be the best possible sound.  If you do have to use the analog outs, you can still normalize, but you be bringing up the noise as well.  The XL-7 has realtively quiet outputs not because the converters are bad, it's rather that there's a lot of headroom.  With 128 voices and some very peaky filters, it's pretty easy to get loud signals, and the XL-7 was designed not to clip.  The E4 Ultra series samplers used to have a headroom control to compensate for this, but unfortunately, the XL-7 series does not.

Note also that -8dB is not a bad level - that's still rather useable.

-Aaron

PS. Never, ever record the XL-7 with the volume knob anywhere other than full.  It is a digital volume control, meaning that as you turn it down, you're loosing bits.  The volume knob is only for convenience.  You should really do any volume reduction outside the box.

----- Original Message ----
From: Zsolt Szabó <Zsolt.Szabo@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 2:38:01 PM
Subject: [xl7] XL-7 analog output reference ?

Hello,

I have a problem with my setup.

I use RME Fireface 800 as audio interface with the XL-7.
So far the XL-7 was connected to the input 7+8 on the front
where gain is available for input signals. Gain was set to
low/normal and the XL-7 was easily overloading the converters
with Master Volume pot set at 3 o'clock. I was happy, everything
worked fine.

Now I changed the connections so the XL-7 is connected to line
level inputs (7+8) on the back of Fireface because the front connectors
are used for microphones.
Input reference level was/is set to -10 dBV on the Fireface.

Problem is that now my XL-7 with everything maxed out, full velocity,
full volume, max. master level, with all the 16 tracks playing can't
dirve enough the Fireface line level inputs. I can achieve a maximum
of -10 - 8 dB peak now.


In the XL-7 manual the Technical Specifications appendix specifies:

Max. Output Level: +4 dB
Output Impedance: 1000 Ohms

I would be curious about the max. output level reference.
There should be an "u" afeter the dB, not ?

Aaron, any thoughts on this ? My other synths easily achieve
clipping if i want to....

Thanks,

    Zsolt

 

p.s. Here is my mail to and the answer from RME technical support:
-------------------------------->

Zsolt Szabo schrieb:

> in the XL-7 manual the following technical info is published:
> 
> Max. Output Level: +4 dB
> Output Impedance: 1000 Ohms
> 
> How are these numbers affecting my setup ?

Well, the better question is: what does this number tell us? If this is 
the correct original information than the answer is: nothing. There 
needs to be a reference mentioned. Like with the rear input of the 
Fireface. Setting it to -10 means 0 dBFS (full scale digital) is reached 
at an analog input level of +4 dBu. Note the little u.

The impedance is no problem.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME 


 
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