DrumIt Five Output Line Levels

[BungleMeThis]

Howdy all,
I'm connecting my 2box to some new equipment and the sound is quieter than I expect. Does anybody know what line level the main outputs are at (-10db/consumer or +4db/pro)? Debugging this sort of stuff is much harder since nobody seems to put this info in their manuals anymore... 

-JB

[Jman]

This is one paragraph from the latest 2Box manual:

Headphone jack as single output
As a default setting, the stereo main mix signal is on this output. But you can use this socket also as additional single outputs 7+8, by plugging a Y-splitter cable (1 x stereo jack to 2 x mono jack), into it and make the respective settings in the UNIT menu on page OUT (see examples on page 64). In the default setting the headphone output is twice as loud as the line outputs 1 to 6 (approx. 6 dB). As soon as you switch the headphone output to single output „7+8!“ this level is automatically reduced and adjusted to the other six single outputs - the sound engineer will be pleased ...

I'm not sure if you have the latest 1.2X 2Box manual, but if not I would recommend downloading that. It has a pretty extensive section on multiple variations of output assignments. A much better manual than earlier.

[BungleMeThis]

Hi JMan,
I actually had read that portion of the manual before, but it doesn't quite give me what I'm after (I think). I think it may be an issue of my own lack of knowledge and possibly the plethora of applications for the humble decibel. I looks like the 6dB referenced there is just relative to the other outputs, correct? Meaning, they could be either -10dBV or +4dBu and that statement would still be accurate.

To clarify, this Wikipedia page details what I'm after: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level#Nominal_levels

I did poke around the manual again, and based on some language about the outputs being "hot with a lot of transients" I am guessing that the outputs are at +4dBu, but it would be nice to know for sure.

-JB

[Jman]

Hi JMan,
I actually had read that portion of the manual before, but it doesn't quite give me what I'm after (I think). I think it may be an issue of my own lack of knowledge and possibly the plethora of applications for the humble decibel. I looks like the 6dB referenced there is just relative to the other outputs, correct? Meaning, they could be either -10dBV or +4dBu and that statement would still be accurate.

To clarify, this Wikipedia page details what I'm after: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level#Nominal_levels

I did poke around the manual again, and based on some language about the outputs being "hot with a lot of transients" I am guessing that the outputs are at +4dBu, but it would be nice to know for sure.

-JB

This paragraph makes me think the outputs are the higher Pro +4db type too:

Connecting The DrumIt Five
The DrumIt Five is designed for the use with pro audio equipment (PA, mixer, audio interface, amplifier, etc.) and with headphones. On standard consumer audio systems, the tweeters of the connected speakers can be easily damaged by the relatively high dynamics of the output signal, so therefore take care what devices you plug the DrumIt Five to.
Always start with a low volume and then increase gradually.

But, no it doesn't give that spec anywhere I have seen, so it can't hurt to contact 2Box to find out for sure:
http://www.2box.se/US/pages/contact-us/

[BungleMeThis]

But, no it doesn't give that spec anywhere I have seen, so it can't hurt to contact 2Box to find out for sure:
http://www.2box.se/US/pages/contact-us/

It's funny how often I forget that this is a viable option with some companies... Thanks for reminding me!
-JB

[BungleMeThis]

So, how long is common to hear back from 2Box customer support? I'm at 11 days of waiting with no reply so far.

[hemiboy]

i would hit them up again, that is  stupid! 11 days , wow

[fishmonkey]

it's strange that the current user manual has no mention of output reference level, or even whether the outputs are balanced or unbalanced. the 1.10 version of the manual had some information about that, which is:

The OUT1-6 outputs have the ring contact to ground. So if a balanced TRS to XLR cable would be used, the XLR negative signal is correctly grounded.

which is a kind of quick and dirty floating/psuedo-balanced setup.

anyway, the 2Box module outputs are definitely only -10 dBV.

i just did a test: i generated a 1 kHz sine tone at 0 dBFS and played the WAV file from my module. i cranked the output level, the song level, and the mix level to maximum. my module is connected with a balanced TRS -> XLR cable to an Apogee Quartet (which only accepts balanced line level signals). with the inputs of my interface set at -10 dBV, the signal peaks at -6 dB, which is very quiet...

it's possible that the -6 dB maximum is because of the way the Apogee metering works with a pseudo-balanced signal, but either way the output is not hot enough to be +4 dBU.

[fishmonkey]

anyway, the 2Box module outputs are definitely only -10 dBV.

okay, quick update...

it turns out that the Quartet has 16 dB of headroom on its line inputs when they are set to -10 dBV mode. from my testing that means that the 2Box output reference level is 0 dBV, not -10 dBV. so it's somewhere in-between the most common consumer level of -10 dBV, and the 'pro' +4 dBU level...

[BungleMeThis]

Hey, thanks for all the help and input everyone. 2Box got back to me this time (they missed my first email).

The official word on the output levels is -10dBV (consumer).

-JB