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Setting Input Gain
The M-Audio Ozone provides up to 60dB of gain on the Channel 1 Mic In
and 40dB of gain on the Channel 2 Instrument In. Microphones typically
emit a low signal level, requiring a "pre-amp" such as the M-Audio Ozone
provides. Other instruments, such as guitar pickups and even some
keyboard sound modules, will also benefit from a bit of punch from the
M-Audio Ozone preamps.
Plug in your mic or instrument with the gain controls turned down, then
turn the gain up incrementally while testing the mic or playing the
instrument. When the signal LED shows fairly consistent activity, you’ve
reached a good signal level for the M-Audio Ozone mic preamp. Some
users may wish to experiment a little further to find what audibly might be
referred to as a "sweet spot." Note that when the "clip" LED lights, it is
indicating that the preamp output signal is clipping, or is too close for
comfort. Let your ears be the judge, but when the clip LED lights and stays
lit,you are approaching or have reached distortion in your M-Audio Ozone
signal.The best method is to turn up the gain, and then turn it down once
you’ve started to clip the input signal.
You must also consider the level that is being sent from the M-Audio
Ozone to your recording software. Check the input meters within your
software and make sure that they are neither too low nor clipping (too
“hot”). An adjustment in gain on the M-Audio Ozone may be necessary,
but your optimal recording level within your software should approach but
never reach the maximum level.Additionally,because the M-Audio Ozone’s
preamps provide quite a bit of gain, it is recommended to turn the gain all
the way down on unused inputs.
You will find more information on setting record levels in the manual of
your music software. Understand that in digital recording, clipping the
meters in your program is never a good thing. If your level goes into the
red once, you’ve got distortion!
Phantom Power
Unlike dynamic microphones, many "condenser microphones" need to
receive a DC voltage (generally 48V) from an external source before they
can generate an output signal. If the condenser mic doesn’t come with its
own power supply,then phantom power must be applied from the preamp.
Setting the Phantom Power Switch to send phantom power on the
M-Audio Ozone will send the necessary voltage to the XLR Mic Input.
Phantom power will not affect a dynamic mic adversely, so it is fine to have
a dynamic mic at the XLR input while phantom power is switched on. Just
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