Ableton Forum

Hi,

Total noob here. I'm trying to find out why the audio signal into ableton from external instruments is kind of low. If anyone can lend a hand and check out the setup diagram and let me know if I'm doing anything wrong, that would be fantastic.

As you can see, the volume/level on mixer and synth is pretty high, and yet the signal in ableton is rather low. It's not extremely low, but I feel like it should be higher. Even if I crank things up to max, it still doesn't go beyond -12.

The only potential error that I can think of is the unbalanced cables going in and out of the interface, but I'm not sure if that's what's causing it.

Thank you in advance!

welp. you need to provide a bit more information.

what mixer are you using and what usb interface.

try taking the mixer out of the equation. synth out to interface in - does that improve the volume? if yes then something on the mixer needs changing.

if no same volume level then something in your interface may be the trouble.

I have a Safire Pro 24 and that interface has software mixer for the different imputs. sometimes I have to lower or raise the software mixer to get a better volume.

Generally a synth out or l/r outs are used and input into the mixer channels. you can then use the slider on the channel, gain knob etc.

I don't know what a mixer alt outs that you have in your diagram are. generally you would use the mixer main outs into the interface - allowing you multiple inputs on the mixers different channels and the main outs going to the interface. allows you to solo interments, pan etc and have single outs into interface.

so basically you need to find out if it's the mixer or the interface.

Mackie mixers have Alt 3/4 outs on some their models. Could be one of those.

First thing I would do is crank up that synth to its Max. There's usually no need to hold it back when patching into a mixing console.