I am using a Behringer UM-1 USB interface, normally with a guitar, but for checking audio levels I am using a keyboard because it has constant volume.
I notice weird things.
I plug the keyboard into Input 1 (mic level) and because that is meant for higher gain, it must be padded, because I have to turn up the input volume on the UM-1 all the way and it's still not very loud. however, the VST host has an onboard dB meter, which is pegged out. can't tell if that is 0.0 dB or more because no numbers on it, just a bar meter. so I run a vU meter plugin (maybe not calibrated correctly. bias set at -18 vU) and it says -4 vU.
so then I plug the keyboard into Input 2 (instrument level) and because it's meant for lower gain, I have to turn down the input volume on the UM-1 all the way, and it's still louder than the other setup, yet the VST host onboard dB meter is substantially less. the vU meter is substantially more, showing +3 vU.
the vU meter plugin seems correct while the VST host meter seems to be whacked.
so, to check input level when using the distortion plugins, I will use the keyboard in Line 1 (mic) of the UM-1 and rely on the vU meter plugin to tell me what input level there is, before the distortion in the plugin chain.
Roktion 808: input -4 vU, so much background noise it sounds like inside your mouth at the dentist's office. reduced VST host input from 0 to -6 dB, plugin vU meter now shows -18 vU, output and noise both get proportionally lower volume, but S/N ratio the same. on the Roktion 808 tried changing the gain 1, gain 2, EQ levels, buffer on/off, of course they have an effect but only what you would expect from an extremely noisy pedal. either a quiet clean tone or more noise with more distortion.
reset VST host input volume to 0 dB
plugin vU meter still shows -4 vU
Mokafix Audio Metal Clone (nice and simple): same level of background noise as the Roktion 808 only different character because it's a different pedal. reduced VST host input from 0 to -6 dB, plugin vU meter now shows -9 vU, not hearing any difference in sound volume or noise. reduced VST host input to -12 dB, plugin vU meter shows -18 to -19 vU, same reduction characteristics as the Roktion 808.
both distortion plugins are NOISY.
reduced UM-1 input level to half, no change in S/N ratio (pedal turned on). reduced to 0, keyboard silent but practically the same amount of background noise.
bypassing the distortion pedal results in clean keyboard audio and zero background noise, at any level of UM-1 input, with the VST host dB meter showing a little flutter. S/N ratio is excellent.
I notice weird things.
I plug the keyboard into Input 1 (mic level) and because that is meant for higher gain, it must be padded, because I have to turn up the input volume on the UM-1 all the way and it's still not very loud. however, the VST host has an onboard dB meter, which is pegged out. can't tell if that is 0.0 dB or more because no numbers on it, just a bar meter. so I run a vU meter plugin (maybe not calibrated correctly. bias set at -18 vU) and it says -4 vU.
so then I plug the keyboard into Input 2 (instrument level) and because it's meant for lower gain, I have to turn down the input volume on the UM-1 all the way, and it's still louder than the other setup, yet the VST host onboard dB meter is substantially less. the vU meter is substantially more, showing +3 vU.
the vU meter plugin seems correct while the VST host meter seems to be whacked.
so, to check input level when using the distortion plugins, I will use the keyboard in Line 1 (mic) of the UM-1 and rely on the vU meter plugin to tell me what input level there is, before the distortion in the plugin chain.
Roktion 808: input -4 vU, so much background noise it sounds like inside your mouth at the dentist's office. reduced VST host input from 0 to -6 dB, plugin vU meter now shows -18 vU, output and noise both get proportionally lower volume, but S/N ratio the same. on the Roktion 808 tried changing the gain 1, gain 2, EQ levels, buffer on/off, of course they have an effect but only what you would expect from an extremely noisy pedal. either a quiet clean tone or more noise with more distortion.
reset VST host input volume to 0 dB
plugin vU meter still shows -4 vU
Mokafix Audio Metal Clone (nice and simple): same level of background noise as the Roktion 808 only different character because it's a different pedal. reduced VST host input from 0 to -6 dB, plugin vU meter now shows -9 vU, not hearing any difference in sound volume or noise. reduced VST host input to -12 dB, plugin vU meter shows -18 to -19 vU, same reduction characteristics as the Roktion 808.
both distortion plugins are NOISY.
reduced UM-1 input level to half, no change in S/N ratio (pedal turned on). reduced to 0, keyboard silent but practically the same amount of background noise.
bypassing the distortion pedal results in clean keyboard audio and zero background noise, at any level of UM-1 input, with the VST host dB meter showing a little flutter. S/N ratio is excellent.
Statistics: Posted by frantic_fingers — Sat Oct 12, 2024 7:56 am