Sound distortion at maxed out preamp gain

[plautus]

When i set gain to 65db preamp for my mic input on my rme babyface pro fs, I'm not even clipping and my voice sounds distorted like it was clipping. But it clearly wasnt bc the recording shows not clipping.
How can this be? Do all interfaces do this?

 

[staticV3]

When i set gain to 65db preamp for my mic input on my rme babyface pro fs, I'm not even clipping and my voice sounds distorted like it was clipping. But it clearly wasnt bc the recording shows not clipping.
How can this be?

The recording only shows the final ADC stage.

The signal can clip upstream, like in the microphone or the mic Preamp, and you'll get a clipped sound even though the recording level is well below 0dBFS.

 

[plautus]

The recording only shows the final ADC stage.

The signal can clip upstream, like in the microphone or the mic Preamp, and you'll get a clipped sound even though the recording level is well below 0dBFS.

ok, but it's not like the babyface has more coloration than the motu ultralight mk5 when maxed out?

 

[staticV3]

ok, but it's not like the babyface has more coloration than the motu ultralight mk5 when maxed out?

With both maxed out, the mk5 can only receive ∼150μVrms from your mic before it clips, whereas the Babyface can take an 18dB hotter mic signal, roughly 1200μVrms.

That's because the Motu has almost 20dB more Mic gain on tap than the RME:


Not sure if this is the coloration you talk about, but it is vital to keep in mind.

 

[plautus]

what has that tio do with anything? I wanted to know which interface shows more coloration when using maxed out preamp db

 

[staticV3]

what has that tio do with anything? I wanted to know which interface shows more coloration when using maxed out preamp db

Which interface shows more coloration when using maxed out preamp db, depends on the input level hence the post above.

If the input level is above ∼150μVrms, then the mk5 will show more coloration as the recorded signal will contain strong saturation/clipping where the Babyface will still be clean.

 

[plautus]

what is vrms?

 

[RandomEar]

what is vrms?

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