Trouble getting computer to recognize USB-B stream

[DavMcCool]

I’ve been scratching my head all day on this. I’m new to the SQ5. I need the sound to go to a computer. I set 6 different channels to Group 1 (all mono). I then set Mix Out patching Group 1 to USB. Computer is connected via USB-B.

The computer recognizes SQ as a driver, but in a way that doesn’t make sense. When I go to select the mic input on the computer to get sound through the SQ, I get a bunch of options to select as the mic input on the computer, but none of them actually receive audio in the computer when I speak into the mic. They’re: SQ 1&2 (2 – SQ); SQ 3&4 (2 – SQ); SQ 5&6 (2 – SQ); SQ 7&8 (2 – SQ). I’ve tried them all, and none of them work.

I don’t understand why it is giving me so many options, why it gives me those particular options, and why I don’t get any sound. What am I missing?

[KeithJ A&H]

@DavMcCool

The stereo pairs you mention are the Windows system devices that the driver sets up.
These are for use with apps that support audio (e.g. browsers, stereo recording, streaming etc…).
The pairs reference the first 8 pairs of USB output sockets you patch from the SQ.
For recording with a DAW, there is also the ASIO side of the driver. This allows the app to access the device directly (without the Windows management ‘layer’), which provides lower latency and access to all 32×32 USB channels. It does require that the app supports ASIO however.

What you may be missing here though, is that by default the SQ USB mode is set to ‘SQ-Drive’ for recording directly to a USB device.
You can switch this to USB-B mode in the ‘Setup > Audio > USB’ screen.

Hope this helps!
Keith.

[DavMcCool]

Thank you for replying. After I posted the question I noticed that the system was set to SQ-Drive. I changed that to USB-B mode. I’m still unfortunately running into the same problem. The computer isn’t picking up any mic input even though it recognizes the USB pairs.

I assume that there’s something really basic that I haven’t figured out, but I can’t figure it out.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t tried this on any DAW. I’m testing this on the sound recorder app and Zoom since that will ultimately be one of the applications for use (corporate broadcasting).

[DavMcCool]

Alright. I figured out a solution to that problem. I did a hard reset and put the IO output to IP Direct Outputs. But now the problem is that the mic is so quiet I can’t hear it. I know the signal is getting transmitted because I can see it picking up in the basic sound recorder app, and I can even hear my voice on playback, but only with the gain cranked up and the mic right next to my mouth (phantom power is on). So my new issue is figuring out why it’s so quiet on the computer.

[KeithJ A&H]

@DavMcCool

This is perhaps due to the difference between levels and metering in the mixer vs levels and metering in your DAW.
There is an article here which explains this in detail – https://support.allen-heath.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4403616287889-General-Levels-and-Metering-in-A-H-Digital-Consoles
But in short, 0dB on the meter = +4dBu at an output = -18dBFS for digital connections
This gives you headroom for recording to avoid issues with peaking, and for live streaming you can ‘trade’ some of the headroom for extra level (also explained in the article)

Thanks,
Keith.

[DavMcCool]

You’ve been a great help. I put the compressor to 1:1 and dialed up the gain a bit. It works great. I do have one lingering issue though.

I’ve been testing all of this using mics on channels 1 and 2. The computer is set to recognize SQ 1&2 (2 – SQ). I tried adding another mic from channel 9 and it doesn’t get picked up.

I have the USB output set up from IO > Outputs > IP Direct Outputs where each channel is patched individually. It doesn’t pick up the mic from channel 9. I changed the patch configuration so that IP 9 is patched to 1, and that worked just fine, but then obviously that removed IP 1 from patch 1.

I need to have 11 inputs all going to USB-B, so I need a different configuration.

My other solution (that didn’t work) was to go to Routing > Dir Out > and put IP 1 in Group 1 and put IP 9 in group 2. Then I went back to IO > Outputs > Mix Out and patch Group 1 to patch 1, and Group 2 to patch 2. But that doesn’t work. I don’t see any USB metering and I don’t get any sound in the computer.

I know I must be missing something obvious here, but I can’t figure it out. Am I missing a step connecting inputs to groups? Am I misunderstanding how groups get patched to USB output? Is there a simpler way of getting 11 inputs to all go through USB-B? I can’t figure this out.

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