Issue with volume recording

I am the new owner of the QU-16 (new to the digital world, too) and I have just now started to record and playback, e-mail wav file attachments, etc. My problem is the same as the originator of this post, Relapse808: when I playback the take from the stick still plugged into the board, the volume is the same as the live recorded volume in the room. When I pull the stick and insert and play it on my laptop, the volume comes out very low, so low that I have to max out all the settings that may effect volume just to reasonably hear it. I read the posts about routing to a matrix mix, etc. The QU-16 does not have the matrix functions. I was thinking there should be some kind of gain control to the record function but there isn’t. But then, that would make the playback from the board way too loud anyway, I suppose. any ideas anybody?

Where are running the main output level master fader at, the physical position?
What levels on the meter do you show for the main output?

In the IO patch you could set the USB to be L R Pre, that sends the signal to the USB record before the master fader level.

For the Qu16 to get complete independent level control to the USB recording you would need to use one of the mixes and route that mix to the USB in the IO set up.
Set that mix to be post fade, maybe post all channel processing, set all the mix sends to the unity position.
Use the master level of that mix to control the record level, you can also apply processing to the recording and have the ability to create a somewhat custom mix for the recording.

@Bob

It is typical to need to use your DAW to raise the level so you hear it louder there.

The Qu has 18dBFS headroom above the ‘0’ light.
If you are allowing more headroom based on the lights then you might need 20-30dB or more gain in the DAW.

Thank You. I do not yet have a DAW program on my computer and have never used one. Any recommendations for the easiest to use?

Almost all the commercial DAWs have free or low cost “noob” versions. Try each one until you find one you like.

@Bob

easiest to use is audacity and it is free.

check the list on wikipedia for all and then free DAWs.
Then look at reviews as well as compare the features to what you need.

I suggest you use cakewalk nee sonar if you need more than audacity can do.
also free.

for doing what you first posted audacity should be able to more than do the job for you.

Thank You