Luna 2496 I/O dynamic range

rafafredd · Post by **rafafredd** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 10:38 am

Hi.

I´m with a serious problem that seems that afects all audio cards but protools TDM/HD.
I sold my mixer and bought various simple preamps. The fact is that a Joemeek or a Presonus blue tube has +18 to +24 db gain. Lets take the case with presonus. It´s a stereo tube mic preamp that can output +16db without clipping. But when I use it with my LUNA 2496 I/O box, that has 94 db A/D dynamic range, the box clips when the pre is on +2db. So, I cannot use the real sound of the preamp, because the I/O box does´n support the output of this simple mic pre. Now I´m planning on buying some really good preamps with lots of headrom like neve, api, or any other professional unit. If I was using protools, I would set the converter to consider +24db as the digital clipping of the converters. That´s why Protools is used by the professionals, because it is professional. They can go LOUD and WARM by pushing up his preamps at maximum gain and get that total fat vocal without any digital FAKE plugin. But I cannot pass +2db gain, with my tubes all lighted down, asking why my final mix cannot sopund like pro´s... No, a mastering plugin or valve emulator/exciter cannot overcome this problem.

The question is:

If I got a more professional creamware converter unit like A16-ultra, will it give me the option that protools gives? Setting the input to clip on +12, +18, +24db?

I was thinking about building a box with 8 line level -10, -15, -20db pad and 8 channel mute (so I can freely connect and disconnect the preamps, turn phantom power on and off, etc, without clipping the converter) and insert before the LUNA I/O box converter.

What do you think about it?

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 7:29 pm

hi Rafafredd,

just bought 'Look around' by 'Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66' on vinyl (audiophile pressing).
It has those fat and warm vocals

but the black thing is only capable of a 60 dB dynamic range

You're problably bashing the wrong guy when searching 'sound' only in the numbers of dynamics, but I agree there's something wrong with matching signal levels in your setup. I don't have the A16 ultra, but it's balanced and switchable between -10 dBv and +4 dBu.

cheers, Tom

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 8:49 am

that's right, -10, +4 switchable... used it this weekend and we had a bass going through an avalon preamp... never had any problems with clipping and the sound well, is simply incredible. They had a protools system over there and were disgusted with the performance of my 'shitty' creamware system system

they even thought their days were doomed