Hi, I just recently bought Solid State Logic SSL12 interface to have 4 simultaneous input channels. While setting it up with Ableton Live and the Driver Error Compensation tutorial I get deformed/clipping signal on a recorded track. Please see the images below/attached. So when I'm on about 7 on the dial and the input signal meter on the interface is blinking -20dB I get good undeformed/unclipping signal. When I go up to 8 and the yellow -10dB led is blinking then I get light clipping that is better seen on the compensated image where I have amplified the signal. When I go up to 9 on the dial then waveform becomes very noticeably deformed.
First of all: should I worry about this?
I do have Focusrite Clarett 2usb 1.gen that does not clip even if the input is very close to clipping by the meters.
SSL's customer support sent me the following answer: "What we're seeing here is the inherent imperfections of analogue electronics. Below are the specifications of the line outputs and inputs from the user guide. The squaring off of the waveform is due to a small amount of clipping which results in very mild distortion. You'll see that whilst THD (total harmonic distortion) levels are very low for both outputs and inputs they are not zero. This will be the case for any analogue circuit as it is impossible to design a circuit that has zero THD. In fact, it would not be desirable as THD is a factor in the SSL 'sound' and the design challenge is not to eliminate THD, as this is not possible, but to reduce it and make it manifest in a musical way. I hope that helps explain what you're seeing."
Input gain "9" with no post amplification:
Input gain "8" with no post amplification:
Input gain "8" with post amplification to better show the waveform deformation:
Thanks for any thoughts or opinions,
Ivo.
First of all: should I worry about this?
I do have Focusrite Clarett 2usb 1.gen that does not clip even if the input is very close to clipping by the meters.
SSL's customer support sent me the following answer: "What we're seeing here is the inherent imperfections of analogue electronics. Below are the specifications of the line outputs and inputs from the user guide. The squaring off of the waveform is due to a small amount of clipping which results in very mild distortion. You'll see that whilst THD (total harmonic distortion) levels are very low for both outputs and inputs they are not zero. This will be the case for any analogue circuit as it is impossible to design a circuit that has zero THD. In fact, it would not be desirable as THD is a factor in the SSL 'sound' and the design challenge is not to eliminate THD, as this is not possible, but to reduce it and make it manifest in a musical way. I hope that helps explain what you're seeing."
Input gain "9" with no post amplification:
Input gain "8" with no post amplification:
Input gain "8" with post amplification to better show the waveform deformation:
Thanks for any thoughts or opinions,
Ivo.
