So I’m a new Quad Cortex Mini user and have a couple questions about unity gain and volume settings using is with my Mac Mini. So I’m using the QC Mini as an audio interface with my Mac. Connections are Main XLR R/L to my studio monitors and UBC to my Mac.
First, the audio from computer was very high since I’m going straight to monitors, so I turned the USB volume down a little. The guitar input and output all same at 0bd. Now here’s my main question.. I’ve noticed most people run their QC with the main master volume knob all the way up or 3/4th up. I’m only able to get my QC Mini volume up to 35 as it’s pretty loud at that setting. Should this volume be 100? If so where do I take down the volume at them, the XLR outputs? Wouldn’t that be worse gain staging? I figure everything at 0db and use the main volume knob LOW as a master. Why do people have their QC volume knobs maxed? Is the volume buttons on the QC mini the same as the big volume knob on the big QC?
Thanks for any help guys, I’m a QC newb.
From my understanding and what others have explained, the Master Volume knob is at unity gain when it’s at max. Lower it acts as an attenuator which can increase noise floor (from what I’ve heard). If things are too loud and you are clipping, I would just the check I/O on the QC. You can turn down the volume on the grid by holding down the output block and adjusting the overall volume there, or by lower the volume somewhere within your chain on the grid. I never touch my Master Volume control.
So my I/O on the Mini is perfect all levels great. Just can’t get master about 30-40 before hurting my ears/
UPDATE: So, I did discover that my HS8 speakers both had their volume maxed in the back, so I set them back down to 0db and now I can get the Mini’s volume up to about 75 for comfortable listening.
That was going to be my next suggestion is to check the volume of your speakers that you’re listening from. If all levels in I/O, and on your grid with the output block you’re feeding to your speakers isn’t clipping, then you’re all set.
I keep my output from the QC to be around -12db from the row that I’m feeding to the output block. So, if I tap and hold Out 1 on my Grid, I always check it there to make sure it’s around -12db at its loudest. If it isn’t, I go through the block and start turning down the main volume of the cab, or the amp block (not the amp gain or amp volume, the output master volume of the amp block) to get the levels down. Sometimes it can be an effect that really boosts the DB and makes things louder (reverb or delay can push the volume sometimes). So if that’s the case you have to work through the grid to find the culprit - unless it’s intentional and you want the effect to do that of course.
1 Like
Hey thanks for the info. Yea now I have my master volume up to 75 I’m having to take down the treble a hair. When I was playing with master at 20 and speakers maxed the tone was more bass heavy and smooth. I’m in the normal realm of tone now.