Aux Mix output level down about 25 dB from LRmain

[Tom]

We are using SQ-5. Aux Mix 6 mostly follows the main mixer, with a few independent mics only to Aux 6
(which we’re not using for this test). Aux 6 goes (via XLR outputs) to our video switcher, Main to the PA speakers.

Most of the inputs to the aux mix are set post-fader, with those aux channel faders set up to the zero level.
The assumption here being that the level into Aux 6 should track those faders on the Main mixer. We also have
the output level of Aux 6 set up to the zero dB. point. LRMain output fader set up at about 0 dB level.

The inputs seem fine, but the output level from Aux 6 is about 25 dB down from the main output level, using LED meter PAFL
on the Aux 6 output, as compared to the levels from LRMain. Is this normal? Is there something easily overlooked on setup
that reduces the aux output level by a large amount?

— Tom

[Mike C]

Do you notice that much level difference on the actual output feeding your video switcher?

Are you applying a lot of processing to the output of aux 6?

[ozdoc]

Check that there isn’t a compressor/ limiter on Aux 6 main output.

[Scott]

What is the Aux master set at?

[Tom]

Thanks for the responses…

1. There is no other instrumentation available for measuring levels – we are using the twin columns of LEDs to
the right of the touch screen to indicate level. The comparison here is those LED’s: LRmain vs. Aux 6 output PAFL.

2. There is no output processing, compression, or limiting on aux 6 output.

3. The Aux 6 master out level is set up at 0 dB (matching the LRMain output level setting).

— Tom

[Mike C]

For a test set up the signal generator with test tone and send that to LR and Aux 6
then see what the level shows on the meter.

[Mfk0815]

Did a simple test. Used a signal generator and send the signal from one input channel to Aux6, post fader and MainLR. all send fader, the one for MainLR and the one for Aux6 are set to 0 dB. open the master fader for MainLR and Aux6 and the meters are showing the same level (as expected). Then I did a further test and assign Aux6 and Main LR to some output sockets and patch them back to some input sockets, set the gain of the two inputs to the same value. The result was the same level on both input channels. All this tests were done with Firmware 1.5.3.

By the way: “There is no other instrumentation available for measuring levels”. There is a Meters screen available. There you can see the levels of all mixbusses side by side.

[Tom]

Thanks for the good suggestions! I will use the signal generator function to trace down the levels,
and report back in a day or two.

— Tom

[Tom]

Using the signal generator, everything seems to work like it should. The generator was assigned to Grp1,
then mixed it to LR and to Aux6, and the levels are all correct and track on the meters.

However we still have the issue that when using the XLR inputs, the LR and Aux6 outs are different by 25 dB.
I am pretty new with the SQ5, so I’m sure something is setup incorrectly, just cannot figure out what it is.
The direct XLR mic inputs are set post-fader to Aux6, and Aux6 has all faders set at zero dB in and out.
As the faders to LR are changed everything tracks up and down properly except for the composite
output level discrepancy.

Is there some other fader that needs to be set correctly that has been overlooked?

— Tom

[Scott]

Is your output master a member of a DCA? If so that could be the issue.

[Author]

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