Where is a true GAIN on Creamware Pulsar II ?

wlodekk · Post by **wlodekk** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 4:48 pm

Hello.

I bought this card and I am surprising that there is no any GAIN on A/D and D/A converters. I don't talk about mixer's "gains" which are only a simple signal amplification.

So, where is a REAL gain for "Pulsar2 Analog Source" module.

Please help. This is very needed for me.
I have a "Plus" version and I would like to connect some external sound modules (unbalanced outputs) with balanced inputs in the card.

Maybe I should choose a "Classic20" version ?
But without GAIN the same situation.

[ This Message was edited by: wlodekk on 2003-09-22 17:53 ]

alfonso · Post by **alfonso** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:16 pm

On 2003-09-22 17:48, wlodekk wrote:

I have a "Plus" version and I would like to connect some external sound modules (unbalanced outputs) with balanced inputs in the card.

Maybe I should choose a "Classic20" version ?
But without GAIN the same situation.

[ This Message was edited by: wlodekk on 2003-09-22 17:53 ]

You can't connect bal. and unb., it's not a matter of gain only.

If you connect equipment properly (bal. with bal. and unb. with unb.) then software gains is what you need on the machine. And you can raise the volume on ext. gear if needed.

I'know, it's a limit...but it is as it should.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:38 pm

Are you using balanced XLR cables on your Pulsar II Plus? I have a Classic and a Plus model as well, and with the balanced cables I did get a bit more volume, due to less noise.

wlodekk · Post by **wlodekk** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:24 am

Thanx for the answers especially Interloper.

I was interesting of comparing of both models "Classic20" and "Plus". Because I am not sure if I bought the right model.

I know that I can't to link bal with unbal because I lose the right signal, but I have a more devices with unbalanced in/out.
I bought "Plus" because then I have a better signal quality by working on balanced connections. But what about unbalanced instruments

I understand know that connecting bal with bal on the Plus is the better solution then unbal with unbal on the Classic20.

Finally I must to use external mixer or converter etc. to right connect instruments with unbalanced outputs.

Anyway I think that GAIN would be very helpful in this situation (unbal with bal)

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:59 am

There are other solutions to your prolem like placing a resistor in the cable. I'm not sure which ones but you can find such info somewhere in the net or ask your fellow electritian (or somebody in a music store)

Ballanced is +4db
Unballanced is -10db

_________________
Sir Sam Plaire Scopernicus

[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-09-23 06:00 ]

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 5:13 am

Just run your monitors with the balanced outputs from your Plus card. You'll need a set of cables, of course.

Don't worry about the other devices, just run them into the Classic. If you record at high enough bit depth, you'll have enough headroom to normalize the signal to bring up the level.

Post by **garyb** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:33 pm

the difference between the classic and plus cards is not just bal/unbal.the classic is -20db referenced to 0db.the plus is +4db referenced to 0db.if you connect a -20db signal to a +4db input the level will seem VERY low.the question is not whether you want balanced or unbalanced in/outs.the question is what gear do you want to connect to those in/outs.if you have PRO +4 gear the get the plus version.if you have CONSUMER -210 or -20db gear(most do),then get the classic version.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:55 pm

ah, good to know...

alfonso · Post by **alfonso** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:57 pm

I think that having the Plus is a good idea, and having outboard pre is the only way to get the best result....