Noise is the same on both outputs. The Only thing I can not check is whether unbalanced cables would change anything - all cables I own are balanced.
ughhh. Was just pricing out a new quad ATV. Now I might have to put that off for a bit. GAS is such a evil thing
I have a RME Fireface UC and no Noise problem with my Peak.
Would you like to report here what the meter in your DAW reports on the Note-off noise level when you press Audition on the init. patch, level the master volume on Peak such that the patch reaches -12db?
It would help me to know that.
Thanks,
K
Not sure how useful this is butâŚ
My peak is connected via a single TRS cable ( left out) to a zed6 mixer. From there it goes to a mackie 1604vlz4 which goes to a motu 8a and finally into the DAW. I use a gate on each channel coming into the motu with threshold set to -70db. I set the volume on the peak to approx 12 oclock, and then with a chord played with the init patch I adjust to approx -12db at each stage (I admit I was not very scientific about this). Anyway, with all that in mind⌠I can see noise from the peak (through 2 analog mixers) at approx -75 db on the motu browser UI. This has never bothered me. My guitar chain is way noisier.
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I tested briefly yesterday and came up with similar numbers. But I will try again later. I think we should decide on a method. I guess an unit patch would be best. Should we do one note, or a 8 note chord?
Edit: sorry, tried multitasking, and didnât read your post correctly! Will try later this evening.
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One note, audition knob on Peak, 0db global gain on Peak, this should be easy to replicate.
Thanks, K
The point is. I dont hear it while using it. If you hear it while you are using it and If it bothers you so much then let it go and sell it.
The main point for me is to make sure that this is not the result of me using the synth in the wrong way. For instance, several people and Novation themselves report that the headphone out appears to be noisier simply by being louder than the main outs, which I canât confirm for both peaks I had. Mine is not particularly loud on the instrument ins of my audio interface, which may be the reason why I need more gain to get where I want, hence getting more noise.
I can hear that noise at a fairly low volume, and before sending it back, I proposed a fairly simple and reproducible Test that would confirm to me that the 55db of usable dynamics on a single voice is indeed what I can expect.
So far, there has been no takers on this proposal, only suggestions ranging from technical advice (checking the cables) to philosophical ones (just take the noise like a manâŚ) While I am grateful to be part of such a good community, where so everybody tried to be very helpful, I canât for the life of me understand why nobody gives me that one information that would eliminate the Peak itself as the source of the problem. If somebody here manages to get a noise floor lower than 68db after leveling the init patch, than the problem is my setup, not the Peak. If nobody can, then I consider the problem solved as well, as I can be sure that I can not do anything to improve this and enjoy my peak. I still have 10 days until I have to send it back and I am still hoping for input that helps me to determine whether I have a lemon or not.
Wait, you use the Peak in Mono only? Interesting, but isnât that like driving a car with the handbrake constantly engaged? The Peak has, for instance, a really nice stereo reverbâŚ
Im checking this now. And if i use a init patch, and use the audition button my numbers in cubase are similar to yours. -12db and aprox -71db.
If i check the RME Fireface mixer i get -14.5db and -80db.
If i held down a 8 note chord, i got -0,3db in cubase. So even if a single note suggests a 55-57db of dynamic range, it is higher when playing chords.
I have no gain applied on my RME interface. And to get -12db in cubase i maxed the volume pot. I have the VolRange setting to -3db on my Peak.
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The S/N can also be maximized by using more than one OSC.
I think you have something strange going on with your audio interface.
I did some test.
Novation Peak into LINE IN of my RME Fireface UC. Peak setting audio to 0db. Pressing âauditionâ on the init sound. And not pressing.
First test with volume knob fully turned up, RME Mixer to 0 db standard setting. Noise level at around -70db
Second test with same settings, except the volume knob down to 12 o´clock. Noise level at around -81db.
In both cases, not hearable for me, with my 48y old ears⌠With internal settings the noise level gets even better.
The RME Fireface UC USB setup:
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Iâve not been at home the last four days, Iâll be back later so I might get a chance to do the test tonight.
I know. I wish I had more inputs. Of course I can steal from something else when I need to. But to allow maximum spontaneity I like everything hooked up at once, so thats the trade off.
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These levels are more than acceptable. Again, itâs none of my business, but I really donât understand what ZaBong is worried about. This is arguably as good as it gets for outboard, consumer grade, analog electronics. At very least, itâs of no concern. If you want a quieter noise floor, work in-the-box. But seriously, some of the greatest records ever made have been made with much noisier gear, even by modern standards. This is the audio equivalent of pixel-peeping (wink).
Cheers!
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Now that I know that the behavior of my Peak is comparable to that of others (measurably so), I can live with it. There are few or none alternatives around, at least not at that price point.
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Thank you for your efforts.
My audio interface is ok, these values are more or less exactly like mine - 55-60db of distance between noise and init patch.
This settles it for me - no lemon, just a synth that has a little bit more noise than what I expected.
K
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In general if you need to crank up the Peak volume to the max, i think there is something not properly setup with your audio interface if you can hear the noise. I had yesterday, both Digitakt and Peak connected via Line IN to my RME, and the 12 oâclock position for the Peak is most of the times ok, depending also on the sound. Also the Digitakt output can get very loud, so i usually have that setup to a 15 oâclock position.
The difference between your audio interface and mine seems to be very small - if I set my volume knob to 12 oâclock, then I too have the noise around -78db to -80db. The init patch, using only one OSC and no distortion, is one of the patches that are more on the silent side, hence the âcrankingâ up to -12db, where I usually set my other synths and VSTs.
Again, thanks for sending the measurements.
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