How to record stereo to a USB drive

[Russel]

I havent been successful in recording stereo to a USB drive

The instructions arent clear enough

For instance how to setup channel assignments
The screen Config/USB offers 4 areas to enter channel assignments, but how to choose these, and what do these assign,ments do?

Guidance would be appreciated

[KeithJ A&H]

Hi @Russel

Stereo recording is routed from the last stereo channel assignment, which is why it has the extra ‘Stereo L/R’ label.
There is a ‘how to’ video all about stereo recording to USB-A here – https://youtu.be/Moo-1lXLX8M?si=1WwsnlTCgmayBEXT

Hope this helps,
Keith.

[Russel]

I have now set the last channel assignment box to Main L/R and I am recording to the USB

However, the playback level is very low. When recording, the Msignal level looks normal – just under 0 – but when I playback a track on the CQ, or listen to a track on my computer the sound volume is very low

Can you help with this please

[Russel]

Recording file demonstrating the low volume attached

[SQuser]

In such cases, Keith from A&H always likes to refer to this article:
https://support.allen-heath.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4403616287889-General-Levels-and-Metering-in-AH-Digital-Consoles

In the picture the relevant section.

Attachments:

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[Russel]

Very helpful – thankyou

[robert.swedberg]

I am experiencing the same issue. I record my keyboards on a USB-A thumb drive, plug it into my laptop computer and hear about 3% of the volume. Why is that? Is there a way to fix it?

Saying that Keith likes to cite a technical article that I cannot understand is NOT HELPFUL.

Can this be FIXED? If not, I will return this $1,300 piece of kit to Sweetwater for a refund.

I want to like this mixer. I bought it because I was tired of my crappy Touchmix-16 which was way too complicated to record with. I thought the CQ would be good but so far I am very disappointed. Unless I just don’t understand how the settings.

[Frenchie]

Please take the time to read and understand before just complaining.
Explanation are very clear and reasons behind make sense even to basic sound knowledge people.

Why do the USB output levels seem really low?

The digital outputs on CQ, Qu and SQ (including AES, Qu-Drive, SQ-Drive, USB-A, USB-B and Option Cards) are taken straight from the mixers’ core. The internal 18dB of digital headroom is included, so a signal reading 0dB on the meters is at -18dBFS in the digital domain and this is the level being sent or recorded.

Increasing the digital signal level before it is sent would not provide any extra information or resolution. It would only increase the risk of clipping.

[robert.swedberg]

Frenchie,

I apologize for complaining. I am a keyboard player, not a sound guy or technician of any type.

I bought this mixer because I wanted to plug my keyboards and microphone into it and record simple songs on a USB drive to share with friends and family members.

I DO NOT understand all the technicalities of headroom etc.

Is it possible to record on the CQ 18-T in such a way that the USB recording can be heard on playback?

[Frenchie]

Yes, you have +10dB of headroom on each fader above the 0dB.
See if that work for your recorded track.

[robert.swedberg]

Frenchie, thanks for your patience and your help. I read the article carefully and I’m trying to understand the principles.
Regarding my CQ recording to USB-A drive issue, are you saying that I need to make a potential +10dB adjustment on the mixer prior to making the recording. Can you tell me exactly where in (which screen, etc.) I could adjust this?

[Frenchie]

No, raising the fader above OdB prior recording won’t make any change.
Maybe you might consider raising the gain but I would not recommend as you would certainly be clipping at some stage.
After recording, when playing back your track, just slide its fader above 0dB.
You don’t need to go up to the top (10dB).
Just 3dB will already twice the volume.

[robert.swedberg]

Hey Frenchie,

Thanks for the quick response. I understand that I can slide the fader above 0dB when playing back on the mixer, that is clear.

My problem is that the volume is super low on the recording that is saved on the USB-A thumb drive.

[SQuser]

Sorry to butt in now – I don’t want to disturb, but …

@ Robert Swedberg
… it might be helpful to know if you want to record the live mix in stereo (which I assume you do if you want to share it with family),
or individual tracks that you want to edit later to create the perfect mix.
And if stereo, tell us how you hear your mix while recording:
Are you using a small PA/monitor or headphones?

@ Frenchie
> Just 3dB will already twice the volume.
Another 3 dB just doubles the sound pressure.
To double the perceived volume you need about 10 dB.

[robert.swedberg]

SQuser:

You are correct, I am recording the live mix in stereo because I don’t really want to edit individual tracks right now. I am hearing the playing (and the mix) through a pair of QSC monitors in my home studio (not headphones).

Thank you both for your input.

[Author]

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