Volume button at 100 is confusing me

Quad Cortex
1

I read that volume should stick to 100 as that’s unity level
But that gives confusing result.

Some settings first as background:
Ibanez MM1 (medium output humbuckers)
FRFR is a Mission Gemini 2st (sounds soooo good) connected in stereo TRS
input level +5 db, only when i dig in rediculous hard it tips in red
Then Output level goes only -10db area and i have ouput level at +0db
so on the low side really.
volume button assignement is checked all for all outputs

In this case volume button above 80 the FRFR starts to distort, so I play normally around 50 / 60…
also in the IO menu the line level meter is not affected by the volume button… whats that about? so it measures before volume button? but how to know what kind of level i’m sending to the FRFR in this case?

Also i record by ASIO over usb and that is anyway line level 0db regardless the volume button setting, doesn’t affect it. But that’s makes me wonder if that signal is unity in line with 100 level of 3&4 output it’s maybe also too hot?

So i’m missing something over here…
I seem to overshoot level to the FRFR but can’t see this in the IO menu meters.
recording wise i always record none attenuated as volume 100 but that seems to too hot signal judging on 100 at output 3/4… but sounds ok actually in recording

2

That is correct. The Volume knob functions as an attenuator, so you can always leave it at 100.

Are you referring to the QC or the Gemini here? I assume you are talking about the QC. What is the input level at the Gemini though?

That is normal. The Volume knob doesn’t affect the USB outputs.

Have you tried turning down output 3/4 of the QC? Does it still distort?

3

I too have some questions about the Volume Wheel. I’ve seen several posters on the forum claim that it should remain at 100 and that it is simple an attenuator.

However I don’t find anything in the manual or from Neural DSP that supports this.
Can anyone tell me where this is documented?

Also, where in the signal chain is it? Very beginning? I’ve read claims that it should be left at 100 or it changes the tone/effect/amp because you are changing the input signal to these devices. Is this true? And again, where is this documented?

Thanks!

4

image

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5

You are right, it is not documented or at least I am not aware of it. That’s why I asked the NDSP support and they told me that it is an attenuator and therefore save and indeed recommended to be set to 100. And that the volume wheel is at the very end and doesn’t affect your tone, as it is just an attenuator.

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6

the +5db is at input, but input levels stay out of red

the confusing part is my output levels at 3&4 are around -10db at meters, so how can that distort when volume is over 80?

i’m sure gemini can accept line level, so its just weird

levels out meters are not affected by changing volume, so apparantly the meters give always the unantenuated levels (as if 100) and volume button is afterwards, so output cant be in red yet
100 should be at the level of the shown -10db

i also understand that tone is not affected as its just a lower volume level into frfr amp which affects SNR but that shouldnt be big issue.

i can play below 100 so not a big issue, but just curious what is going on.

7

I have to ask again, what input? QC or Gemini?

Does it distort when you record in your DAW? Or when you turn down the volume wheel of the QC a lot when going into the Gemini? Because if it does, the problem is within the QC. If not, the Gemini is getting a signal that is too hot to handle.

What volume are you referring to? And did you try to lower output 3&4 while leaving the volume wheel at 100?

8

hmm didnt expect te create so much confusion with my explanation…
guess just lots of levels and volumes

the +5 is the input from the guitar into the qc
i try to get to upper green level but not red

i said usb in daw works fine (and i know always at 100 fixed, so proofs signal out is ok)
i would even say bit soft side as is also logical with -10db
so its related to output 3&4 into gemini only

didnt try to lower output below 0db setting because signal was already only -10db on level meter
but asuming lowering there would have same affect as reducing volume knob. can test tomorrow

so sofar it seems as if the issue is isolated that gemini can’t handle normal input level, as rest is ok.
or that signal 3&4 is indeed too hot but that would be strange as i dont see this in level meters out and volume can not boost signal extra above what level meters are showing.

EDIT:
yes shaving like 8 db’s off from the 3&4 output level, allows to move the volume to 100 without distortion. Output level is then more around -17db.
So aparantly thats the real limit (as volume is now at 100, so out of equation) the amp (gemini) can handle.

tried also different patches and different guitars.

maybe i should try a factory reset.

EDIT2:
also just ordered a better Roland TRS to 2 TS cable. current one very cheap, don’t think its the issue but well anyway