Digital Trim

[RoadRanger]

What experience with this have folks had so far?

What do all you all think of it being post VU meter?

What about it being boost/cut? The only place I'd probably use the "cut" is the iPad channel, and because it's post-VU it doesn't really "fix" the "perceived" issue of that channel "clipping" when it's really not. Otherwise I can't imagine any particularly good use for "cut"?

[robbocurry]

I'd like it post so I can see it taking "effect".
Easier to keep tabs on things imho
It's caught me out a few times already on mic channels. The channel seems to have a good level, pop off the mute and it's too low. Would be a major bummer in that situation if it was way too loud

[RoadRanger]

I think I would actually like it post on boost but pre on cut (except on the iPad channel ) .

[sam.spoons]

Pre-VU for sure..... It's crazy to have a trim control post VU meter, how the hell do you know what levels you have (without shoving it out of the outputs somewhere)?

[Topsøe]

The meter has to be before the trim as it shows the level out of the preamp , it would be nice to have another meter or to be able to switch it after trim but it is essential not to clip the preamp

[sam.spoons]

My X32 only has trim controls on the line inputs, where it is before the channel meter. Effectively it replaces the gain control which would be there on a mic channel. As the mic gains are digitally controlled on the X32 trims are unnecessary on the mic channels. On the DL I'd hope they'd suppliment the non-recallable gains and allow you use the channel meters to see your input levels (maybe bypassing them when a channel is soloed so you can still check the real preamp gains).

[Robert]

Can you Solo the channel and look at the LR output meter for an indication of the trim effect?

[robbocurry]

I'd like it post so I can see it taking "effect".
Easier to keep tabs on things imho
It's caught me out a few times already on mic channels. The channel seems to have a good level, pop off the mute and it's too low. Would be a major bummer in that situation if it was way too loud

Typo, obviously ment pre not post vu (as you probably guessed from my gripe)b

[sam.spoons]

Can you Solo the channel and look at the LR output meter for an indication of the trim effect?

I'd have thought it would be better the other way around but I haven't plucked up the courage to install MF3 yet in case my slow old iPads (2 and 3) become crippled. The iPad 3 is on iOS 6 so will have to make the jump to iOS 8 before I can get MF3.

I use solo to set the gains on my analogue desks and also my X32. That way you get the big main meter instead of the little channel meters showing the preamp level. Of course that's less of an issue on the DL as the channel meters are the same size as the mains.

[WK154]

If you can spare an aux then you can monitor the post trim levels without possible DSP processing effects as long as Mackie saw fit to include the trim before the "pre" aux pick-off point. Simple test if you have MF 3 loaded. It's a band-aid solution to real digitally controlled preamps anyways best used with your ears. No fear of clipping using trim the numbers are too small to exceed internal processing limits. Too bad their block diagram isn't current.

[ijpengelly]

I think that is why doing it on the dynamics page was quite good as it gave you the pre and post trim (gain) settings. I agree that you definitely need to see the pre-amp setting to make sure it isn't clipping (if this is possible, noting WK's comment above) and in the same token you really need a post trim meter to do the same and provide a reference. Perhaps where the input trim is, it should show you the pre-trim level and the main faders show the post trim? And in the little box where the trim preview is they could show the pre-trim.

Any idea why you would want a trim control on the DL32R when the gain is right there available?

[dpdan]

Any idea why you would want a trim control on the DL32R when the gain is right there available?

to me, that is the one thing that is really dumb on the 32R, especially if it does not control the real gain.

[WK154]

Any idea why you would want a trim control on the DL32R when the gain is right there available?

to me, that is the one thing that is really dumb on the 32R, especially if it does not control the real gain.

On the Dl32r you have two input sources (preamp and something else USB,Dante) had the trim been on B but not both (A and B) it would have made sense. The I/O patch or limited matrix switch is another prize piece of work including the ridiculous example (Evil engineer ) for it's use. Haven't spend much time on the manual but the DL1608/806 should have been separated out from the DL32R. Another cheapskate move from Mackie.

[sam.spoons]

OTOH, it maybe that using one app to control both families of desks is a great idea as it doesn't spread the development team as thin, it will be easier to transfer from one to the other for the engineer in the field and (as you suggest WK) it'll be cheaper so more frequent updates will be possible (and, maybe, a longer shelf life for the old DL1608)....

[WK154]

OTOH, it maybe that using one app to control both families of desks is a great idea as it doesn't spread the development team as thin, it will be easier to transfer from one to the other for the engineer in the field and (as you suggest WK) it'll be cheaper so more frequent updates will be possible (and, maybe, a longer shelf life for the old DL1608)....

It's a common practice these days unfortunately, but you pay the price. Confusion on the users part in a hurry not paying attention etc. A good tech-writer could knock that out in less than a day with the tools today. I used Pagemaker in the Windows 3.1 days as a editor of a tech newsletter. I'm certain it's improved since then. The common app (I'm not sure it really is that) may be the reason for some of the slow response.