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

Hi Aaron,

thanks for the info.
Till now I used the XL-7 only on gainable inputs of the Fireface, so I 
didn't mind this.
Unfortunately the SPDIF of the RME is occupied by the Lexicon MPX-1 which is
an older release and has only 18 Bit/20bit analog converters so I definitely 
need
this on the SPDIF where 24 bits is available and I would rather avoid 
conversions
here to make the effects as transparent as they may be.

I didn't recognize till now that the volume knob is acting in the digital 
domain till now.
Thanks for the clarification.
Anyway the problem is manageable, it is just I had to be sure there's no 
error in the
setup.

Regards,

    Zsolt



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aaron Eppolito" <synthesis77@...>
To: <xl7@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2006 4:41 AM
Subject: Re: [xl7] XL-7 analog output reference ?


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 Szab\ufffd <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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