PROBLEMS SETTING MASTER GAIN IN CAPTURE WINDOW

Question

I am having problems capturing audio at optimum levels.
In other words my audio levels in my log and capture window
do not match the output of my tape (bars and tone).
To be more specific:
I am capturing from a Sony Beta deck (BetaCam SP).
The tape has Bars and Tone. I am running the audio signal through
my Mackie CR1604 audio mixer in order to control levels going into FCP.
The signal goes out from the 1604 into my AjA IO then out of AjA IO into
my MacG5 via the Fire Wire connection.
I have the Mackie levels set at 0 (zero unity gain) just below the
point of clipping using the tone from the Beta Tape.
My first thought was to boost the input in FCP using the Master Gain
setting in the log and capture / clip settings tab.
My problem was that the meters in my capture window (clip settings tab)
were greyed out. Well I found a way to access them by changing
my settingsby way of the following path:
Audio Video Settings / Capture Presets / Preset Editor. In the Preset Editor
I changed the QuickTime Audio settings device from Pro IO (AjA Io) to
Built-In audio. This allows access to the Master Gain slider in the log and
capture window.
No good...I can not get the audio levels in the capture window to match
the levels on my Mackie 1604. They should match.
(they are way too low and the Master Gain slider is maxed out)
Please help!!!!!
Michael Kraus / mak design co.

Answer 1

I need the Mackie 1604 mixer to boost or lower audio levels.
Lets say I have a Beta tape (or any tape/media) with bars and tone set to Zero db.
Thats great BUT what if the videographer had some areas in the tape
where levels were too high / hot or too low. The Mackie allows me to
boost or lower levels.
As for the headache of re-digitize/ re-capture....I see your point but it is usually
not a big problem. Especially since most of my tapes have tone at the head
of the tape set at zero db for me to "calibrate" to. The audio on the remainder
of the tape does not surpass zero db most of the the time (in a perfect world).
There are some times where the world is not so perfect and I need to
adjust levels.
My problem is that the levels out of the Mackie output and the levels
of the FCP / AjA IO input are different enough for there to be some concern.
I am in a sense doing what you are doing on the deck using the Mackie.
This is the way I always went about things when I ran my Avid video editor
and never had a problem. I am certain there are many people using the same
approach.
The bottom line is there is some kind of drop off in levels going into FCP via
the AjA IO.
I appreciate your input...Thank you!
Let me know if you have any other ideas.