This is the second time I've connected to a controller board at a club and the Impulse 200 output was so weak, the gain on both the house controller and the impulse 200 had to be turned up to just about max. Channel on the club controller was set to 'line'. Straight RCA cable (no adapters between Impulse 200 and club controller. RCA cable checked out ok (tested on Pioneer board...no audio issue)...volume level on both Impulse 200 and house controller set to max.
Hello,
Yes, this is the difference between consumer line level and pro line level.
- Consumer line level: -10dBv = line level on a consumer audio device, as DJControl Inpulse 200,
- Pro line level: +4dBu = line level on a public address audio device, as DJControl Inpulse T7.
To calculate the difference between these 2 line levels,
- convert dBv into dBu https://sengpielaudio.com/calculator-db-volt.htm -10dBv=-7.8dBu
So the -10dbv line output plays 11.8 dB below a +4dBu output, close to 12dB difference
- as doubling the level means adding 6dB, the +4dBu line level is roughly 4-time stronger than the -10dBv line level
so ,
- unless you adjust the settings of pro audio amplifiers to receive a consumer line level input source, the consumer line input source sounds too weak,
- unless you adjust the settings of a consumer audio amplifier to receive a pro line level input source, the pro line input source saturates.
So
- to play on one's own amplifier, DJs should read the user manuel to set the audio input,
- to play on someone else amplifier, mobile DJs
* either bring an analog console(to increase the line level - the most compact I know is ART USB Mix, whose output goes up to +14dBu), connect the consumer line level of their equipment on the analog console input, and the pro line level output of the analog console, generally in 2 x 1/4 balanced jack or 2 x XLR format, to the pro line input of the pro amplifier
* or use a pro DJ equipment which has a power supply input (if the DJ controller is powered only by the computer USB, you should not expect a pro line level output / if the DJ controller is powered by a dedicated power adapter, then its balanced XLR or balanced 1/4" jack output play with a pro line level output).
In general, DJ controllers with a power adapter and 2 XLR or 2 x 1/4" balanced master outputs play at +4dBu, and without power adapter, the master output plays at -10dBv.
For example
- in Hercules, DJ controllers with power adapter and XLR/1/4" jack master output, DJControl Inpulse T7 and DJConsole Rmx2 have a 2x XLR master out playing at +4dBu
- in Pioneer, DDJ-SR2, which can be used with/without power adapter, plays the 2x XLR master output in +4dBu only when the power adapter is connected.
Question: could this be a difference in consumer vs pro audio (+4 vs -10) ?
Question 2: If this is an issue with frequency....which Hercules board is for pro audio? (is the Impulse 300 pro audio? or do I have to go with the 500 ?)
