The direct outs on the Tascam M3500 are handy, but intended for tape machines operating at ‑10dBV — around 12dB lower than the Antelope Orion’s +4dBu operating level.
I recently bought a used Tascam M3500 inline mixer. I wanted to use it mainly for the preamps and for summing mixes (and to look cool in my studio). I am using an Antelope Orion 32 Gen4 audio interface, so I have the ability to lay out every channel of my mixer to individual channels on my interface. But I’ve noticed now that the signal coming from the mixer’s direct outs is kinda low. If I push it slightly into the red on my mixer, it’ll arrive in my DAW still very much in the green (I hope that makes sense!). Is there any solution to this? Is the problem on the mixer’s side or with my interface? Did tape machines back then have higher input volumes? Thanks!
SOS Forum post
SOS Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns replies:The unbalanced direct outputs from the Tascam desk are designed to work with a nominal level of ‑10dBV — that was the standard for Tascam’s semi‑pro tape recorders. This level is roughly ‑8dBu, or 12dB, below the +4dBu standard for professional balanced gear, which is what the Orion is designed for.
The Orion’s A‑D line inputs have an adjustable input trim, and I would suggest dialling it down by 12dB.
However, I think the Orion’s A‑D line inputs have an adjustable input trim, and I would suggest dialling it down by 12dB, so that 0dBFS (digital clipping) is achieved with an input level of +12dBu (instead of the default +24dBu). That would give you the industry‑standard 20dB of headroom above the ‑8dBu (‑10dBV) nominal output level from the Tascam channel direct outputs.
With the default settings you’d have 32dB headroom between the desk’s nominal direct output level and digital clipping, which is why you’re seeing signals well down “in the green”.