Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0 and Sonar 8

[Helkiro]

Hello all,

Currently I'm having some wierd experience with my new Audio Interface, the MultiMix 8 USB2.0.

What occurs is the following:
When playing something on the computer (or recording), if I maintain the volume of the Sound in the maximum it always "clipping" and I think it's because of high volume then I down it on the windows main volume and it started to sound good.

So, when I go to record and play something in the SONAR 8, it clips again, the sounds are not clipping anyway in the recording step, but when it goes to the output...
At Sonar I see the master with peaks at -6db and it clips nearly all time in the MultiMix...

For eliminating this, I have set the OutPut "Alesis Main Out" on the SONAR to -13db and now it only clips if it clips in the record. But with this method, every time that I Mix the Audio to .WAV or .MP3 I have to recheck the volume knobs in SONAR putting the "Alesis Main Out" at 0db for exporting and -13db for playing.

Is it normal? Does SONAR have any other way to handle with that?
Or could it be a problem in the MultiMix?

[BudmanRocks]

Sounds like a driver problem.
Question 1. Are you using ASIO drivers ? If not try them.
Question 2. Are you usiing the recording meters in the the program to set your levels. I use a Tascam US `1641 audio interface. It has 10 pre's on the front. If I set my recording levels by it's lights on the front my recordings are distorted. You have to use the recording level meters in your daw. You might be doing that I don't know thats why i'm asking this to narrow down what your doing......I await your reply, GARY

[Helkiro]

Thanks for the reply BudmanRocks

Answering your questions: I'm using ASIO Drivers (Updated), and I'm currently using the meters on the DAW for measuring the recording levels..

I noticed that If I use the levels on the MultiMix it record distorted, but my problem is when playing back the sound. Any music that I put to play I have to down the levels a lot for not having a heavily distorted sound.

[BudmanRocks]

I'm not sure whats up here. In sonar you have tracks, buses, and mains. Do you have the mains and buses confused. If your using the mixer veiw, the mains can be hidden. But the buses will show. Make sure the mains are not hidden as they could be to hi. Just playing hit and miss here. Does your interface have output gain controls ?? If so maybe they are set to high. My tascam doesn't. Everything is ajusted in Sonar. What does your wave file peak at. Not what your playing back db but highest peak in the wave profile chart. Could file be to hot. Try recording with a lower recording level. try not recording over -18db and see what that does on your playback. Lets go from there. Btw What do you mean by "I think it's because of high volume then I down it on the windows main volume and it started to sound good.

[Helkiro]

Hey BudmanRocks,

Well, if I record everything without going over -18db it will not peak, already tested that.

What I'm trying to say is that if the sound goes to -13db it will start to peak at the MultiMix and sound "terrible" in the output.

When I'm saying about the "windows main volume" it's the Basic Sound Controls that you have in windows (Control Panel)... And this is really outside SONAR and just to ilustrate that the problem is not on SONAR itself, but in any program playing any sound that goes to -13db or higher. And nearly every song on every album goes over this volume.

I really don't know if it's a problem or if I just really need to lower the volume on the computer to made it sound good as I never been playing with such USB Interfaces and other equipments like these.

[BudmanRocks]

Do you have onboard sound ? if so you need to go into your bios or device manager and disable it. This might be your problem. If your onboard is still on this might cause a problem. You should only have 1 sound system active. Your interface should have come with its own driver setup. Most of the time usb sound will shut down any other audio and yours might not be doing that. Try this by disabling your windows sound in the device manager. Let me know ??? GARY (Your windows volume control should not effect your interface.) I hope this is it. Let me know. Check the bottom of my signature and if your on windows messenger or AIM we can discuss this tonight after 8 pm eastern time........I live in PA...

[Helkiro]

Well, do not tryied the last things yet, but...

First, I have a onboard sound and will try deactiving it on BIOS.
Second, when I install the drivers of the MultiMix and connect it to my computer it appears as a Sound Device in the Windows Sound Control Panel and then I need to select it for the sound going trough it, this is why I have to lower the General Sound in Windows.

When I try deactiving the on-board sound device I will inform you.

Thanks

[BudmanRocks]

One last thing. What does the paper work say about installing your drivers for the Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0.........After you shut down the windows audio you may have to re install Alesis software again. Not sure about that but if the Alesis will not work after shutting down windows audio try installing the Alesis software again. I just never heard of a audio interface working with windows audio. Seems strange.....