Analog Keys: How do I monitor my input levels?

Nikarga · 2015-03-07T12:59:09.000Z

I have my machinedrum going into the AK inputs… i can adjust the volume of the inputs from the FX track but is there a way for me to check whether or not the signal is clipping or close it it?

The only way I can see is through my OT inputs… my set up is as follows atm:

OT = master clock
OT midi Out --> AK midi In
AK midi Thru --> MD midi In
MD main outputs --> AK inputs
AK main outputs --> OT AB inputs

Basically, the only way I can check levels is when my OT inputs are flashing bright orange/red, in which case I know and lower the volume either on the MD or the AK…

Is there a way to check incoming signal through the AK without having to resort to looking at my OT input signal?

Sorry if this has been asked already, but I couldnt seem to find it in the manual or on the forums.

Thanks in advance,
Niko

ak37lover · 2015-03-08T14:33:10.000Z

There’s no metering facility of the inputs on the AK - its ‘ears only’

Should be fine with machine drum at max volume though, unless you can hear clipping/distortion.

Nikarga · 2015-03-08T14:53:06.000Z

I see… thank you for this. problem is that the inputs are too low on the Octa… so when I set DIR to 127 and add no additional gain on the input channel, the sound I hear is too low.

Yet increasing it to match the overall volume played by the other OT tracks, i get blinking orange/red lights telling me the input is clipping (even though sound wise i cant hear it).

This is super frustrating…

ak37lover · 2015-03-08T22:46:30.000Z

Strange.

Weird that OT shows clipping yet signal is too quiet though. Phase issue maybe? (i.e. check input source is A B not A+B)

Also check out OT manual p44: The sampling input level (In the RECORD SETUP 2 menu) is separate from the DIR gain setting in the mixer page. Could this be the issue maybe? Are the monitor LEDS reflecting the recording gain settings and NOT the DIR setting? I think this is probably the root of your issue.

Hope this helps solve it.

Nikarga · 2015-03-09T10:48:30.000Z

Hey ak37lover,

thanks for the heads up… I have tried but still cant figure it out. Inputs are configured as AB on the OT not as A+B… the gain was at zero on Recording Setup 2 Menu… and the gain is at zero on the Mixer with DIR set at 127.

You mentioned the monitor LEDs reflect the recording gain settings and NOT the DIR setting. Is this the case for sure? ie, the lights flashing orange/red mean that should i record those inputs, the sample will clip at playback because the recording gain (on recording setup 2) is too high? If so, whats the difference between gain AB on mixer page and gain AB on the recorder setup 2 page?

sorry for this, perhaps this post should be in the OT part of the forums but the AK doesnt show monitoring for its own inputs so think that may be the root of the problem… not sure.

any help appreciated guys…

Thanks

Nikarga · 2015-03-09T10:54:02.000Z

Also, seems like in Recording Setup menu 2, the AB setting sets the monitoring level when a Pickup machine is assigned to the track and ONLY relevant when using a Pickup machine (manual p52)… so guess that is not the root of the problem…

ak37lover · 2015-03-10T19:30:47.000Z

Ahh…I think you’re right. Sorry for confusing the issue. Yeah the Rec page 2 setting is relevant for sampling/pickup only, so this isn’t the issue.

Maybe better to try on the OT forums - someone more experienced with OT than myself will have the answer no doubt…its a confusing beast at times.

Good luck with it…

Nikarga · 2015-03-11T00:30:43.000Z

So there isn’t a way to monitor the inputs of the AK - Mr Dataline was kind enough to confirm.

I played around with settings on the MD and found that some of the patterns I was programming had a lot of low end that became quite muddled and distorted when the volume was pushed on the MD.

I think what happens is this:

It all comes down to how you program your synth sounds and patterns on your MD.
You need to ensure that your MD outputs aren’t running too hot. Because when combined with the AK sounds, the signal going into the OT will have zero headroom. And as the OT inputs are quite low, you’ll have to crank up the input gains when there is virtually no headroom left because the incoming signal is already hot. Any slight crank up in the gain resorts to distorted and muddled sound.

I need to get better at programming the MD. i temd to get carried away with low end, no womder the outputs are on fire…

Think this was what as happening… My 2 cents

TrabanT · 2015-03-11T08:45:21.000Z

just a shot into the dark …

how bout using the external outputs of the MD to mirror the main output / or using the headphone output to mirror the main out l+r … and use the aforementioned mirror out to monitor its levels (and assume they would be the same)

still you would need another machine to tell you if it is clipping or not, but assume the OT will only have 1 of its 2 stereo inputs in use, you could use that to monitor and the other to actually record …

good thread though, I have been wondering myself for quite a while … also, I d like to mention that the inputs on the A4 are only good until X volts / or ampere / or watts / or whatever the hell the unit is … (I posted this in another a4 thread) … afterwards the input is soooooo hot, that the PSU might get damaged

hydra065 · 2018-02-02T08:07:37.296Z

Question: Can I send audio output from MODULE being played by AK in MIDI to FX track? Hoping that AK can be used as midi keyboard then send the audio output to FX track on AK simulteneously?

avantronica · 2018-02-02T08:03:31.980Z

Yes, this is what the External Inputs are for

hydra065 · 2018-02-02T08:19:59.797Z

Cool, thanks - i wasn’t sure of this when using AK as midi keyboard.

avantronica · 2018-02-02T08:35:46.177Z

as long as the active Kit is set up right (i assume) there’s no conflict in that statement when it comes to being in MIDI mode (as you pointed out) but i’d be amazed if it didn’t work tbh

make sure input levels are up and panned (with/without FX to taste)