Additional Notes / FAQ:
Main Output Gain:
Some might wonder why we would bother with an addi10dB of gain on the Main Output,
considering Auscult already puts out modular levels, and it’s likely wired into something that is
line level anyway. The reasoning is simple - I think it’s more flexible that way! Perhaps you have
a mixer upstream from Auscult, and on the fly you’ve dialed in a mix you dig…but dammit Jim,
you spaced out on your settings, and the overall mix level is somewhat low. What can you do?
Well, you can do one of two things:
1. The proper thing, if you have the time/inclination, would be to adjust your mix’s gain
structure properly for optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
2. Or in the heat of the moment, you can use Auscult’s main output knob to give up to
+10dB of make up gain and move on with creativity. Yes, of course you’ll also be
boosting the noise floor as you do this, which can be risky - but if the result sounds good,
it’s
good
as they say. Know that BCA modules use nice opamps and are designed to be
quiet. You’ll likely get away with “cheating”, especially if the mixer upstream happens to
be an also quiet D.O.MIXX.
Main Output Gain Markings and “Proper Levels”:
It was considered to add a +4 dBu/-10 dBV switch, or even just hard set the output to a certain
level. But let’s face it - with the magical non-standard chaos of eurorack, as far as I’m concerned
you’ll be putting an unknown voltage source into this module. Also who knows what everybody
will plug this into. A knob that gives you all the options from completely all the way off, up to
“m10dB” is more flexible to me. I can look at a recording interface’s input meters, adjust
the main outs of Auscult to get a good signal-to-noise ratio, and feel solid that I have a good and
full output range to work with.
That said, the +4 and -10 markings can be useful, just know that their placement around the
knob is based on the source being at a nominal modular level of 10 Volts peak-to-peak (Vpp). If
that’s the case, the +4/-10 markings are spot on. If the source isn’t a perfect 10 Vpp, the
markings may still give you a ballpark idea of where +4/-10 is in relation to modular unity gain.
Or just ignore them completely and adjust while checking the input meters on the receiving
device to dial it in (or listen to the sound person shouting out “Give me more! Wait, a little less!
OK right there! No, sorry a little more! OK cool!!”).
©2022 Blood Cells Audio LLC
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