Analog Allen & Heath ZED436 USB Out to Win 7 Levels

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Hi guys, I am a life long recorder player and owned a commercial recording studio in the 1980’s.
I currently operate an analog based system utilizing the Alesis HD24 24 Track recording machine (and Win 7)
For all of time I have mixed out to a stand alone rack mounted pro audio CD Recorder and wore it out
so it is time for a new one. I have some odd electrical energy in my body, my hands, and
have never indulged in any type of virtual recording gear. I have used Audacity a bit and do
like the program but up until now, never used it to mix out.
So now I am giving it a try and seem to have all the perimeters down however there is a nasty
yet subtle hiss on my final mixes???

The settings for USB out are as follows: (unless I have missed anything?)

  1. Audacity Recording Levels
  2. Mixer Matrix Out Main Levels
  3. Matrix Out Group Levels
  4. Group 1 and 2 Board Sliders
  5. Audacity Project Sample Rate Any assistance as to record level settings appreciated.

2

The USB Audio I/O on the ZED436 is 16-bit. If you’re recording the main out, then you should aim for a peak level of around - 6dB (must always be below zero). The recording level in Windows should be set to maximum, so that (according to the A&H documentation), 0 dB on the desk will be 0 dB in Windows (hence 0 dB in Audacity).

If the peak level is much below -6 dB, then the available dynamic range is reduced. At -6 dB peak, 16-bit provides around 90 dB dynamic range.

(Note that due to license restrictions, Audacity cannot ship with ASIO support.)

3

Thanks Steve, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I will try that… M