Check levels too low

[CdnTiger]

Another of the endless parade of noob's needing help with REW here! My problem arises when I check levels after calibrating my soundcard. I adjust the receiver's volume to get 75dB on the RS meter, only to find the input level in REW is around -35dB, and I can't figure out how to change that without also changing the volume of the pink noise being output. Even if I do max out my soundcard's settings, the level still can't be brought up to -18.

Some background info:
- soundcard is a Creative Audio Emu 0404 with the Patchmix software installed
- RS meter is an old model 42-3019 (older than what is called old on this forum!)
- I get a nice looking soundcard curve and the corrected curve is perfectly flat as its supposed to be
- the Emu 0404 has separate input and output for each of the left and right channels, so I don't think it's a problem of the input not being sent to the right channel. Interestingly, by switching between the left/right channels within REW, the input level doesn't change at all... zip, zilch, nada, etc. So I tried hooking up the RS meter to the other physical soundcard input (left), but this just dropped the input level by about 60dB (again for both the left/right channel settings within REW).

My hunch is that I need a line amplifier between the RS meter and my soundcard, which seems odd considering I haven't come across this situation while searching the forums. The other possibility is that I haven't configured Patchmix properly (although I think I have and the fact that I can get good soundcard calibration using loopback seems to confirm this). The reason I haven't completely ruled out incorrect Patchmix settings is I can't figure out how to change the input level. Anything I do simply alters the signal being sent to the receiver, causing my actual dB level to change.

Note that my input levels are about -37dB using the subwoofer pink noise, and -35dB using the main speakers & sub setting. I can get a frequency response curve that looks like it may be a good representation of my system, but I'm losing a lot of dynamics by having my check levels so low, aren't I?

Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks,

[brucek]

RS meter is an old model 42-3019 (older than what is called old on this forum!)

I would get a meter that there is a valid calibration file for. Even if you got this working, how meaningful are the results if you don't have a calibration file?

Test the meter by plugging it into the AUX input of your receiver. It's a microphone. Does it appear to have ample signal level when you turn the volume up and talk into the mic?

brucek

[CdnTiger]

OK, I've now got a new analog RS meter on the way. I was planning on confirming I could get REW to work properly first, but agree that the new meter will provide a little peace of mind that any measurements I make are accurate.

My voice comes through the speaker clearly when hooking my old RS meter to the receiver with the receiver's and RS meter's settings the same as my attempted REW setup. I guess that rules out the need for a line amplifier - my wallet thanks you Bruce! I get to hold off doing this a wee bit longer.

Do many others at the Shack use the 0404 and/or Patchmix? I'm becoming more and more convinced that there's some setting or step I'm missing in getting the soundcard working with REW properly.

[CdnTiger]

Well, yesterday I got both my new RS meter and a reply back from Creative on what I was missing in my soundcard DSP software configuration . In case anyone else runs into the same problem in the future, the 0404 needs two inserts on the PCI In Right strip (assuming you're using the right channel) - a trim pot that allows adjusting the input level from the RS meter and a Send to Wave insert. And this strip should be muted to avoid feedback errors.

REW and my new RS meter now seem to be playing nicely together. Time to experiment . I'm almost kinda disappointed I'll be away on vacation in a couple of days and will have to postpone moving up the REW learning curve. But don't worry, I'll be back posting graphs of my response and looking for advice!