0404 Owner's Manual - Creative

Meter Color Indicates
E Red Indicates signal clipping.
E Yellow Good strong signal level.
E Green Signal is present.
One of the most obvious uses of the insert meters is to set input levels. On the analog
inputs, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is one of the most critical points in the
signal path. You want the input signal level to drive the 24-bit ADCs into their optimum
range without clipping. A reading of 0dB on an input meter indicates signal clipping.
70
Level
60
50
The insert meters are also useful to monitor incoming digital signals such as ASIO or
S/PDIF to make sure the mixer is receiving a proper signal level. They’re also great for
troubleshooting, since you can place them virtually anywhere in the mixer.
To Insert a Meter
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1. Right-Click on an Insert location of the mixer strip. A pop-up dialog box appears.
2. Select “Insert Peak Meter.” A stereo peak meter appears in the insert location.
3. Select FX in the Main Section, then Left-Click on the meter insert. The meters are
now shown in high resolution in the TV screen.
To Set the Input Levels of a Strip
--12dB
Each bar of the meter equals 1dB. The yellow bars begin at -12dB below full scale.
1. Select the topmost Insert location on a mixer strip and insert a meter (see above).
2. Left-click on the meter insert to see the meter in the TV screen.
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3. Feed your audio signal to the input of the mixer strip. The meter should now show
the signal level.
4. Adjust the output level of the external device (synthesizer, instrument, preamp, etc.)
feeding the 0404 Card. The meter should be in the yellow region most of the time
with occasional forays into the red. If the clip indicator ever comes on, reduce the
signal level.
Comparison of -10dBV & +4dBu Signal Levels
Consumer
(unbalanced)
Clipping -->
{
+ 6 dBV
Headroom + 2 dBV
-10 dBV
=
=
=
20
Professional
(balanced)
4 - The PatchMix DSP Mixer
Mixer Strip Creation
E-MU Digital Audio System 21
10
+20 dBu
}