[rsritchey]

I have the E-MU Tracker Pre, and I can't seem to get enough gain with the Dayton Audio EMM-6 while setting the input gain at full counter clockwise. Since there is no way to adjust gain in the software, is there any other way to properly calibrate my setup?

 

[rsritchey]

Thanks for the quick reply Wayne.

Phantom is on, and I can get a measurement by setting the input volume on the Tracker Pre to approx. 12 oclock.

Here is the procedure I followed:

Here's a "quick step-through" brucek wrote up some time back.

1. Prepare to run the Check Levels routine (Settings icon, Soundcard tab) selecting Check/Set Levels with Subwoofer in the Levels pull down box, with the SPL meter at the listening position and the dial of the meter at 80dB position.

Change Input Device Input and Output Device Output from Default to USB Audio, or the name of the soundcard, if that option is available, and Speaker for output, and Line In for input.

Begin the Check Levels routine. Ensure the REW output VU meter is at -12db and the Sweep Level at -12dB. If those fields are blank, check the two Control Mixer Volume boxes.

Set the Wave Volume at 1.000 and the Output Volume about ~0.500. (If those fields are blank,).

Adjust your receivers volume control so the actual standalone Radio Shack SPL meter reads ~75db at the listening position.

Then adjust REW Input Volume to end up with -18dB on the REW input VU meter.

2. Still in the Settings section, run the Calibrate SPL routine (in the Meter Tab) to match REW's SPL meter to the real SPL meter to ~75dBSPL. Make sure the “C Weighted SPL meter is checked.

3. Close Settings window. Run the Set Target Level routine (Target Settings icon to left of screen), which will set the target to ~75dB. Also, set the Cutoff, which is the crossover frequency you’re using

4. Run the Measure routine and set the End Frequency to 200Hz for subwoofers.

My problem is during the "Check Levels" procedure I think. I set the volume of my AVM-30 to get a reading of 75dB on my Radio Shack meter and then look for -18dB at the right input. Without adjusting the knob on the Tracker Pre, the input level is too low. If I try to do a measurement, a warning box appears.

Based on posts by Dennis H and others, I assumed I should be able to use the Tracker Pre with inputs set to Unity (full counter clockwise). This may not be the case, but for consistency I would like to be able to leave the input knob in a known state.

 

[rsritchey]

During the soundcard calibration procedure, I used a 1/4 inch phone plug loopback cable and noted that the input was -12.3dB when the output was -12dB. Since I had no way in software to change this, I went ahead and ran the cal.

Under the settings menu. I cannot select "Control input mixer/volume', and "Input Volume" is greyed out and set to 0.250.

Dennis H's post of 9/14/09 states:
"That's one nice thing about the EMU 0202 and the newer Tracker. The inputs are unity gain with the pots all the way to the left so you can run it that way every time for a reproducible setup."

This is what I'm trying to accomplish. Is it possible with my setup?

Thanks,

Russ

 

[rsritchey]

I believe that's how I had it set, but I'll confirm when I get home tonight. Do you use an EMU as your soundcard? If so, could you confirm that you can adjust the input levels in software?

 

[rsritchey]

Thanks for your help Wayne.

It looks like the only way to adjust input levels is through the knob on the front of the Tracker Pre. I'll just have to keep track of the settings from measurement to measurement.

Regards,

Russ