Hey there!

After acquiring a monitor controller for my setup I wonder how to properly gain stage and ensure the best sound quality throughout the chain.

Steinberg UR-RT4 > Palmer Monicon XL > Presonus Eris E8 XT

Currently I am using the line outputs of my interface, sending max level to the controller. This ends up in regular clipping (red lights) on the controller's meters but I don't hear any degradation or distortion so I assume it must be fine sound wise.
I haven't made any changes to the monitor gain, so its at unity at the moment.

What are the usual methods or the technical background that would help me understand the process better and set up my devices properly?

Thanks in advance!



Manuals for reference:

Steinberg UR-RT4 Manual
https://download.steinberg.net/downl..._Manual_en.pdf
Palmer Monicon XL Manual
https://www.palmer-germany.com/en/do...e/id/328455805
Presonus Eris E8 XT
https://pae-web.presonusmusic.com/do...N_01112021.pdf

Turn your line outputs down. You’re sending +16dbu to your monitor controller which has a max input of 21. No need to be so hot.

Buy a decent SPL meter.

Click this link, read, understand, implement.

https://www.digido.com/portfolio-ite...ctices-part-2/

Start mixing at K14.

Job done!

So, after taking a bit of time and reading through the article I'd say I maybe could have phrased my question a little bit differently. The K-System is highly fascinating and I learned a lot by reasearching the related topics. But the question I was initially asking was not about monitoring, but electronics and gain staging.

I wanted to know how I can set up the input/output relationship between my three devices in a way that ensures the least amount of distortion or best sound quality.

Quote:

Turn your line outputs down. You’re sending +16dbu to your monitor controller which has a max input of 21. No need to be so hot.

@ shobud
@ Russell Casse

The monitor controller can handle up to +20dBU. If the interface can only send out +16dBu max. I will never clip the input of the controller, right? So, what is "too hot"?
The alternative would be to use the main output of the interface and the gain knob to adjust the volume sent to the the controller. Then again, what would be the best level to send? Also, does the signal quality change when I turn a knob, instead of sending out maximum (line) level?

Unfortunately neither of the manuals specify anthing useful regarding the gain staging. Static gain as mentioned in the K-System or others isn't useful to me right now. After all, I bought a controller to 'control' the volume. So in essence I need to know what to send from interface to the monitor controller and in what fashion.

Cheers!

Great topic. I recently bought a Orion 32 TB interface that is being used along side an RME UFX2 and trying out various gain staging strategies to both calibrate the outputs of the 2 types of D/A so they hit outboard gear and my monitor controller at the same level and also optimize the chain with all components operating in their best range from a sonic perspective. Of course, the powered monitors (with adjustable input/output levels) also come into play here. I'm interested in learning more about how digital trim affects resolution vs analog trim affecting the noise floor.

I would put a pink noise generator in your DAW and just try to match the meters in the DAW to the controller.

If you use line outs then you only have the 3 sensitivity switching options on the controller.....I'm guessing that setting it to +20 would stop it showing the clipping you are seeing at the moment.

If you use monitor out you can use the volume knob to set it to show clip at the exact same level.

Set monitors so that your controller knob is in the upper range for normal listening then you minimise the stereo imbalance issue at the low end of the pot that is a known issue with this unit.