Modeler question: setting overall volume level for patches

[Verne Bunsen]

Hello all,

Question for you modeling unit veterans out there. As I've been building patches in my new Helix, I've taken great care to make sure the overall volume level of the patches that I've built are roughly equal. I've noticed however that the patches I've built are quite a bit louder than most of the factory preset patches. With nothing else as a reference point, it's difficult to know if my patches are loud or if the factory patches are quiet. This got me thinking, what sort of benchmark/target are you guys using for setting up the volume levels of your patches? It seems like if downstream equipment isn't clipping and if the available range of adjustment allows for all of the patches to be dialed in, then the rest is kind of academic. Am I missing anything?

Thanks!

VB

 

[Timmsie95]

I just run it into a mixer, and as long as it doesn't clip, I save it. A lot pf mine are louder than the factory presets, too.

 

[TBurst Std]

Not sure if there are indicators for input and output clipping in the Helix, but I would look for them. That is what I use in my AXE. If not, plug into a mixer as Timmsie said. I would make sure you have at least 9-12db of headroom before clipping.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I pull up a session template in Pro Tools, and set them to the meter levels there.
If you can find a free VU Meter plugin, that's even better.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Sounds like a pretty solid consensus, that's what I'll do. Thanks guys!

 

[Cagey]

Another thing to consider is that sometimes your ears/brain will trick you into thinking something is louder when it's not. For instance, if you've got an SPL meter that tells you a given preset with no sfx is peaking at Xdb, while another preset with a compressor engaged sounds dramatically louder even though the meter is reporting the same SPL. The meter's not lying; you've just compressed the dynamic range and brought the average up higher. Late night TV commercials have done that for years.

 

[TBurst Std]

Always set levels with a meter

 

[mayfly]

Yep.  The AxeFX has an output meter that I use.  I aim for 0db for 'quiet' patches and +2 or 3db for the loud ones.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Always set levels with a meter

1) Never get involved in a land war in Asia
2) Never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line
3) Always set levels with a meter

Got it!  :toothy12:

 

[Timmsie95]

Are you adjusting the level on the output block, or the cab block? I saw someone doing it using the amp and cab blocks, but to me that seems like it would change the sound. I've been adjusting the output block.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I've got multiple amps being switched in and out within the patches, so it's a combination of all of them to get where I want to be. Gain and Master on each amp to get the sound, channel volume to set the level of each amp, and the output block level to match the level between the patches. I haven't found a need to mess with the cab levels at all.

 

[Timmsie95]

Cool that makes sense  :rock-on: