Audio Volume Level indicated on fader not same as point selected in in Volume Lane in SE

[James Steele]

Okay… this is strange. So I wanted to write an automation point on a mono audio lead vocal track. Basic. Just before a lead vocal started I set just the right level and saw that on my display on my Avid S3 and on the fader in the Mixing Board, the level was -5.87. I actually recorded automation until I got just the right level, But then when I select one of the automation points on the ramp, the event information up at the top of the SE tells me that the value is -11.8. They don’t match numerically. What could account for that?

This seems so basic that I’m open to the idea that it may just be operator error here. But the fader readout and my S3 say one thing, and the automation point when selected in the SE says another?

numericalmismatch.jpg (206.51 KiB) Viewed 785 times

[Phil O]

Looks like it might be an event chasing issue. Do you get the same result if you play to that point from the beginning of the sequence?

Or play from just before that point and through it?

How about the other points in the track? Same behavior?

[James Steele]

Looks like it might be an event chasing issue. Do you get the same result if you play to that point from the beginning of the sequence?

Or play from just before that point and through it?

How about the other points in the track? Same behavior?

I'll check again, but I think it makes no difference. I get a numerical discrepancy. If i let the sequence play past that automation point, the fader and my S3 display will show -5.87 but the automation value shown when I click on it is a different number. Naturally this has made it impossible for me to do what I often to and find a nice level, check the value displayed on the fader, and then use the pencil tool to then add an automation point and then pop edit it and enter that value.

[stubbsonic]

Is it possible that the range/scale differs? I.e., in DP the range is neg inf - +6 dB, is the range the same on the Avid?

[James Steele]

Is it possible that the range/scale differs? I.e., in DP the range is neg inf - +6 dB, is the range the same on the Avid?

Hmmmm... that is a good thought and indeed the S3 scale goes up to +12... I know it's higher than the scale on the DP faders... at least pretty sure because I can push an S3 fader to the top of it's travel and watch it move back down to the top of the travel of DP's virtual fader. also... that's roughly 6 db more. Hmmm... about the difference of the discrepancy.

That said, what still doesn't make sense to me is why the numerical read out under the on-screen fader in DP would also say -5.87 and not match the value I see when I select the automation point.

I don't have time to do it today, but I think I may quit EuControl and perhaps temporarily remove it from DP's Control Surface Setup and see if the discrepancy goes away. It's very strange.

[James Steele]

Is it possible that the range/scale differs? I.e., in DP the range is neg inf - +6 dB, is the range the same on the Avid?

Again... that's a really good thought. The difference is almost EXACTLY 6db. Might be something in how DP is "talking to" the Avid (EUCON) control surface and may need to be a fix in DP's control surface bundle, or something? I wrote to MOTU about this being a possibility. I can't investigate more right now, but will later tonight or tomorrow.