Agreed! And a little more. Note the words, "having a peak and fine attenuation reading" An ultrasonic flaw detection system automatically measures attenuation of an input signal from a receiver transducer that provides a reference level. Successive amplifier stages having stepped gains provide graduated output levels that are detected and stored by individual peak readers. Sampled output levels are compared in comparators and with a reference voltage generated by a digital-to-analog converter to produce a binary output corresponding to each signal as a first coarse attenuation level. Logic control and timing circuitry selects the output level corresponding to one of the signals having a peak voltage in a predetermined range. A logarithmic converter and comparator provide a fine attenuation reading which is summed with the coarse reading in digital form. This is decoded and displayed as a total attenuation readout. ----- Original Message ----- From: Slau To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 8:13 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: 808 kicks distoring Just a little clarification: attenuation actually means to decrease the power or strength of something. While the result might clarify, the spcific function of attenuation is to diminish the strength of the source. cheers. ----- Original Message ----- From: Omar Binno To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 10:28 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: 808 kicks distoring Gotch ya. Thanks. So having said that, should I be able to determine the peak level from the meters within sonar then, or are you refering to peak levels on the mixing board itself which would require sighted assistance? Thanks a bunch Sean. Omar Binno www.omarbinno.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Sean A. Cummins To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 10:25 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: 808 kicks distoring OK Omar, here goes All mixing consuls, channel strips have what is called an "operational Amplifier" at their beginning stages for the initial signal boost. This is for "attenuation" wrongly called "gain". "Gain"is misleading nomenclature. The word "attenuation" means "to make clear", and does not necessarily equate to "gain". Most "would be" engineers will use the "gain"knob at the top of a mixer to boot, or cut their volume levels of their mix. The "gain" knob is supposed to "attenuate" your signal and not be used as a volume control. Once the "peek" volume is achieved, with out clip, then the process of "attenuation" is complete and should not be changed, unless there is a new "peek" volume introduced to the (OpAmp); e.g. the drummer has a cup of coffee from Starbucks and he/she is now beating-the-heck out of the same drum. LOL! Hope this helps. Sean ----- Original Message ----- From: Omar Binno To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 6:13 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: 808 kicks distoring Thanks Sean. Can you elaborate on what you said in the following: "Also, when setting your Allan And Heath channel clip level, once it is attenuated at the input stage of the operational amplifier, (OpAmp), you shouldn't have to change it ever again. This should always remain a constant." Omar Binno www.omarbinno.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Sean A. Cummins To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 9:08 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: 808 kicks distoring Omar, Use your direct out from each of the individual channels, rather then the sends, unless your having to sub mix your drums, but, you should be sub mixing internally with Sonar. This way you will eliminate some electronic hum because of less circuitry for the signal to have passed through before being sent to your DAW; likewise, reducing the chance for distortion. Also, when setting your Allan And Heath channel clip level, once it is attenuated at the input stage of the operational amplifier, (OpAmp), you shouldn't have to change it ever again. This should always remain a constant. Take Care, Sean ----- Original Message ----- From: Omar Binno To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 5:40 AM Subject: [ddots-l] 808 kicks distoring Hello, I'm using an Edirol FA66 with an Allan And Heath mixer. The FA66 is connected via the sends and returns of the mixer. I have some samples of basey 808 kicks that I play either through the sfz sampler, or through the dr008 synth. Some of the 808's tend to distort when I play them. Oddly, this wasn't happening with my Mackie 1604 while using the same drums, and i had the same type of connection with the Mackie. Any thoughts or suggestions? Omar Binno www.omarbinno.com