Lower output on Creamware Pulsar 2

flaminghoon · Post by **flaminghoon** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:00 am

Hi

I am a newbie to the Scope platform and have got a Pulsar 2 card. I want to find out why the output of the Pulsar 2 card seems to be considerably lower than my Echo Mia card when I use it in XTC mode in Cubase SX2.

Do I have to setup a project in Scope 4 first and do something to the mixer or output settings. Im using the basic ASIO Scope Playback settings in Cubase but am guessing there is something I need to do in the Scope Platform first before I launch Cubase to make the output louder.

cheers

[ This Message was edited by: flaminghoon on 2005-07-21 03:06 ]

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:26 am

Can you explain to us in more detail exactly how you've got things routed ? It might help.
 
Something handy is being able to load a second mixer(or 3rd if ur already using 2) for separated playback routing. It just gives you more flexibility all round.

flaminghoon · Post by **flaminghoon** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:41 am

Hi

I will let you know the settings as soon as I get home

Spencer

Music Manic · Post by **Music Manic** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:17 am

What outputs are you using?

flaminghoon · Post by **flaminghoon** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:25 am

Im using the example project file ASIO EZ Playback in the Scope 4.0 window. When I load Cubase I assume it works on the last loaded project file?

The outputs I'm using are the 2 analog outs from the Pulsar 2. Is that what you mean?

symbiote · Post by **symbiote** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:03 am

Nope, when you run in XTC mode, it'll load a special project file called XTCProject.pro (I believe.) You can load and edit this project file, if I remember correctly it's in SFPAppBinXTC or around those parts. There's a big thread in the XTC section about tweaking the XTC project file to your needs.

Can't really help with the lower output. Not all soundcards have similar output levels. I know some of the SFP mixers output at, -2 or -3dB, but this should be toggle-able somehow.

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:26 am

Mia is -10/+4 dB0 configurable. Pulsar unless having balanced outputs will be -10.

I used to monitor through the analog outputs, but have changed to light-pipe through a16u. I get hotter levels (+4) this way, naturally.

borg · Post by **borg** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:34 am

your echo can do both +4 and -10dB output. it's probably set to +4. pulsar II unbalanced outputs are -10dB.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:11 am

I think voidar & borg have hit the nail on the head here. I noticed this when i first installed Our Pulsar II & initially decided to balance the monitor signal with a DI box as a cheap alternative to forking out for an A16u straight away.

Music Manic · Post by **Music Manic** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:29 am

On 2005-07-21 09:11, notbobmoog wrote:
I think voidar & borg have hit the nail on the head here. I noticed this when i first installed Our Pulsar II & initially decided to balance the monitor signal with a DI box as a cheap alternative to forking out for an A16u straight away.

That's why I asked which outs he was using.

flaminghoon · Post by **flaminghoon** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:31 am

Ahhh thanks guys I am impressed with this forum already!! Yes you are right about the -10db. I just wanted to get the level output the same as I am used to monitoring at a certain level on my amp, but I guess I will have to boost my amp settings.

Looking forward to playing more with this Scope setup.

cheers!!

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:41 am

On 2005-07-21 09:29, Music Manic wrote:

That's why I asked which outs he was using.

Don't be hurt

The DI box works really well for balancing a monitor signal to go to active mon's. I use a good passive one with rechargeable batteries, which provides excellent signal quality & cost a 1/30 of an A16u. It's temporary, but works perfectly well.

Music Manic · Post by **Music Manic** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:21 am

Was I supposed to be??

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:37 am

On 2005-07-22 04:41, notbobmoog wrote:
...I use a good passive one with rechargeable batteries, ...

help me out please - why does a passive circuit need a PSU ?

I've also considered to symetrize output gear to feed it into the A16, but the huge differences in price shrieked me away.
In my humble understanding a passive DI is more or less just a transformer - which can have a significant influence on the output.

Obviously, as it can be either crap or craftmenship

and of course I wouldn't want cheapo (quality wise) circuits in the signal path, too

cheers, Tom

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:55 am

You're right astro, i meant to say active

& it's not ideal at all. My monitors much prefer a balanced signal though & we just couldn't afford an A16u & keep putting it off, due to having other digital I/O gear with Adat. My headphone amp on the other hand, is fine with both balanced & unbalanced signals, so we get a nice clean monitor signal on that (in the evenings).

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:59 am

On 2005-07-22 06:21, Music Manic wrote:
Was I supposed to be??

No, Chill

Music Manic · Post by **Music Manic** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:45 am

No, Chill

How can I when I'm already chilled?

you chill