Apogee 800 toslink trhu optical motu, very low input level on logic

[aliberesco]

I just connected a new apogee 800 out (toslink) trhu optical motu in but in logic i can record every track with a very low input, do you know how to fix it? Thanks.

[BertKoor]

Check and double-check the level shown on all meters are correct. Use a test tone of known fixed amplitude (eg 1000Hz sine at -20dBfs)

Go through all faders you can find in the signal path and put them at unity (zero) gain.

[aliberesco]

Check and double-check the level shown on all meters are correct. Use a test tone of known fixed amplitude (eg 1000Hz sine at -20dBfs)

Go through all faders you can find in the signal path and put them at unity (zero) gain.

Hi, thanks for your help. I have a XLR to DB25 Snake cable, 8 channels of guitar, bass, mics, connected to apogee input, then I have it connected through a toslink cable to the motu 828 mk3 input, As the motu didn’t recognize then apogee I had to aggregate device on the Audio midi setup application, I configured the 8 channels that on the audio menu are from 17 to 24. Then I add every channel on logic, and it works, but the signal input of each is very weak, every instrument marks some level, but almost no sound at all, my monitors hardly sound so I have to record and normalize every track after that to get some level. Is there something wrong on my setup?

[BertKoor]

I don't know what's wrong. Just saying you should systematically follow the whole signal chain. Start at the source and check the signal level at each possible point. Only then you can find what causes the level to drop unexpectedly.

[aliberesco]

I don't know what's wrong. Just saying you should systematically follow the whole signal chain. Start at the source and check the signal level at each possible point. Only then you can find what causes the level to drop unexpectedly.

It doesnt drop unexpectedly, it low from the start. maybe this aqpogee needs preamps, i don't know

[jancivil]

are the guitar type inputs and the microphone inputs more or less equally lacking in signal?

[BertKoor]

Is it the Apogee Rosetta 800? You bought a vintage converter new?
From SoundOnSound in 2004:

> the analogue I/O is factory aligned to the SMPTE standard (0dBu is -20dBFS), but internal jumpers offer two alternative settings to provide maximum analogue levels of +20dBu, +24dBu or +6dBV

In short, you can switch between flavours of line level strengths (often called consumer / pro level)
It's not designed for Hi-Z instruments like electric guitar & bass, let alone microphones. You need an instrument or mic preamp indeed.

This is not a cheap device. Why did you buy it? Who has adviced you? What can it do what the MOTU cannot?

[aliberesco]

Is it the Apogee Rosetta 800? You bought a vintage converter new?
From SoundOnSound in 2004:

> the analogue I/O is factory aligned to the SMPTE standard (0dBu is -20dBFS), but internal jumpers offer two alternative settings to provide maximum analogue levels of +20dBu, +24dBu or +6dBV

In short, you can switch between flavours of line level strengths (often called consumer / pro level)
It's not designed for Hi-Z instruments like electric guitar & bass, let alone microphones. You need an instrument or mic preamp indeed.

This is not a cheap device. Why did you buy it? Who has adviced you? What can it do what the MOTU cannot?

I bought it to enhance my recordings, the guy that recommended it told me it was a very good quality conveter and i could use it out of the box, but now i know i need a preamnp

[aliberesco]

For the records, i appreciate all your help. Finally i could trade some pedals for the focusrite octopre and it works really great. I'll start to rehearse right away. Take care.