Wavedrum line level or instrument level

RhythmKats · Post by **RhythmKats** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:55 pm

I've been running my WD into my interface so I can record/loop with it in Ableton. I tried running it through the line level inputs on my interface and the signal was very weak. I'm not an audio pro by any means, but I'm guessing this means that the WD does not output at line level and needs some sort of preamp to bring the signal up.

My interface has two inputs with preamps, but I was hoping to reserve those for mics, so I can loop with acoustic instruments as well. I did plug the WD into these and the signal was stronger.

Has anyone purchased a preamp for the wave drum or found a similar workaround? or maybe it makes more sense to get a different interface with more inputs?

Thanks!

ditto · Post by **ditto** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 1:16 am

I was wondering about what level the unit output as well. But rather than run it into the pres on my interface, I ran it first into a couple of line ins on the interface, and it was fine. Volume setting on the unit's at about 3/4.

RhythmKats · Post by **RhythmKats** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 3:59 am

Thank for your reply. I also tried running mine into a couple line ins and had almost no signal with the WD volume up all the way. Weird. It works better for me running through a pre.

I had some weird volume issues a while back when running my WD into an amp. The volume would drop suddenly. I thought it was a bad cable, but I wonder if there is a loose wire or something in my output.

WaterDrum · Post by **WaterDrum** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 9:22 am

the WD output is really not line level

tested all of these little helpers :

enough volume and equalizing
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_eq100.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_beq1.htm

a linear frequency curve
http://www.thomann.de/gb/electro_harmonix_nano_lpb1.htm

what I am using is this one (in combination with a guitar/bass)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/boss_ls2_line_selector.htm

(or a small mixer for 50 bucks ??)

btw:
you need not use 2 in/outputs
unless you have not edited the panorama settings of your sound ...
the presets are only 2 x Mono

RhythmKats · Post by **RhythmKats** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 3:28 pm

Thanks for your response WaterDrum!
I had a discussion on another forum and folks over there were saying similar things. At least on the standard WD, the output level is not super hot.

Thanks for the links.

ditto · Post by **ditto** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:24 am

So, is it mic level? In between?

RhythmKats · Post by **RhythmKats** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:37 am

Ditto-

My Wavedrum seems to require a preamp to get a solid signal through my interface. From your earlier post, it seems like yours does not.

Which WD do you own?

ditto · Post by **ditto** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 5:50 am

Global.

I've got an ordinary interface (Presonus Firestudio Mobile). It's venerable, even.

If I put the wavedrum's ins into the preamps on my interface, the signal will be way too hot. I'm willing to try it, though.

ditto · Post by **ditto** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:26 pm

Okay, I tried running the Wavedrum into the pres on my interface. I had to watch the levels on both the drum and the interface, but it was okay.