Hi, I’m using SQ6 with Waves Server One, controlled using SuperRack v14. I noticed that the level in Waves SuperRack is always at much lower than the sound meter in SQ6. It makes signal processing in Waves really hard since the audio level is really low (setting threshold, see the graphs,…)
I think that there must be some kind of a gain increase at the end of the channel signal processing in SQ, after the insert, thus increasing the signal level.
Can someone please help me clarify this? And also how to fix it so that visually I can have a good level to use on SuperRack.
It’s possible that the insert itself is not set to provide the needed gain structure. On the insert page, there is a section called “Operation Level”. With the Waves system, that really should be set to “Digital”. If it is set to something else, this could explain your issue. (See page 33 of the Reference Guide for more information).
If that is not your problem, about the only place in the channel processing that could affect gain after the insert point would be makeup gain on the compressor. Pretty much all other channel gain staging is located before the insert point.
Outside of the channel processing, the channel could be assigned to a DCA that is “turned up” or similarly it could be a member of an aux or group that is then routed to the Main LR. You could have opportunities for additional gain staging/control in those aux/groups (ie EQ, compression, source send level for the aux, the actual fader position of the buss, etc).
Long story short, there are plenty of opportunities to “mess up” the gain staging. You’ll just have to systematically check them all until you find the problem.
The compressor on that channel has been disengaged.
The channel is not controlled by any DCA.
Although the input and output level of that strip in SuperRack is lower approximately 10-15dB compared to PAFL on SQ6 (all VST are turned off, basically I just let the signal go through), I don’t see any difference when I engage or disengage the channel Insert.
Here are the level on SQ6 and SuperRack of the same channel
On SuperRack, I’m thinking of increasing the trim on the Input, and then eventually decreasing the trim on the Output to resolve this. But is that a good idea to do so or is there something else I could do?
This looks to just be the difference between the metering in the SQ and the metering used in Waves, which would mean you don’t have a gain issue and will not be losing level/bits.
0dB on the SQ meter = +4dBu on a line output = -18dBFS digital
For more information, please see the following article - https://support.allen-heath.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4403616287889-General-Levels-and-Metering-in-A-H-Digital-Consoles
Note that you could trim up and then down again by the same amount either side of Waves processing, which may or may not have benefits in processing (or setting thresholds perhaps) at the expense of losing your headroom.
Thanks, Keith.
Both level indicators are showing the same thing, just happens that one is dBFS, while the A&H is using a scale where 0 dB on the meter is +4 dBu on the output. Waves are showing -28 to FS (clipping), A&H shows -10 to 0 dB and then you have another 18 dB as a headroom.
