Within GENOME is an ever-growing catalog of TSM/TSM-Ai Amplifier and PEDAL Components; we strive to deliver the best tone and response for each component, ensuring a like-for-like match to the physical device the Component takes inspiration from. For a consistent gain structure between all our Components, our engineers and sound designers follow a strict workflow for the calibration of GENOME's input signal level. In GENOME’s environment, a 1 Volt Peak input signal should ideally translate to -11dBFS in GENOME; don't worry if this makes little sense, in this Help Desk Article we’ll explain the various methods to achieve this optimal input signal level for your setup!

Getting a Calibrated Input Signal Level Easily

Follow our fuss-free guidelines below to secure a level of optimisation close to our calibrated systems!

For this setup you will need:

• GENOME - Any version
• An Audio Interface

* Values provided by our online community and are based on theoretical values - Source

Don’t see your Audio Interface in the table above? No sweat! Follow our guidelines below to configure your non-listed interface:

• Look for your Audio Interface’s Specifications (usually available on the related manufacturer’s product page)
• Find the “Maximum Input Level” for the Hi-Z/Instrument input; this value is usually sits between 10 and 20 and is expressed in dBu
• Remove 10.2 from this value and set this figure as the GENOME “IN” Input Gain Value.
  
  For Example: Maximum Input level = 12.5dB equates to 12.5 - 10.2 = +2.3dB in Genome

Taking This a Step Further: Maximize your Signal-To-Noise Ratio!

The following guidelines will take advantage of your Hi-Z/Instrument input preamp within your Audio Interface; fundamentally, this is an optimized gain staging process to secure the best-possible noise floor across your whole signal chain. This will have a positive audible impact for high gain amps specifically.

For this setup you will need:

• GENOME - Plugin Format
• A Digital Audio Workstation
• Sufficient working knowledge of reading Vu Meters

How to configure your system:

• Create a DAW project with two tracks; each track should have GENOME applied to it; load an empty RIG Preset in both instances of GENOME
• On the first track (Track 1), proceed with the steps outlined in the “Getting a Calibrated Input Signal Level Easily” discourse above, then record yourself strumming the strings as hard as you can
• Stop recording, then strum your strings hard again. Push your Audio Interface’s input gain until the input on your audio interface clips, then dial back the input gain a little until the audio interface ceases registering a clipped signal
• On the second track (Track 2), record yourself strumming the strings as hard as you can, this time with the new settings dialed-in on your Audio Interface
• Stop recording, then open GENOME on Track 2. Use the “IN” Input Level fader within GENOME to match the Peak Output Level of Track 2 to the Peak Output Level of Track 1. You’ll usually have to set a negative value on GENOME’s “IN” Input Gain to achieve this.

Optional: Measuring Your Own Audio Interface With a Signal Generator

But wait? Didn’t we just give us the values you should use? We certainly did, however Maximum Input Values given in Audio Interface Specs are theoretical and don’t always exactly translate to the actual input sensitivity. With a Signal Generator you can do away with these approximations for the ultimate optimized input!

Please note:

• In some instances, this can result in a 3dB difference compared to the previous methods / figures provided
• Please do not expect a night-and-day difference when comparing the results of this configuration to those steps outlined previously

For this setup you will need:

• GENOME - Any Version
• An external Signal Generator that lets you generate a 1 Volt Peak Sine
• Good knowledge of using a Signal Generator and the related routing

How to configure your system:

• Plug your Instrument to your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input and strum your strings hard
• Push your Audio Interface’s input gain until the input on your audio interface clips, then dial back the input gain a little until the audio interface ceases registering a clipped signal
• Plug the Signal Generator’s output into your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument input that you’ve just used for Step “2”
• Configure your Signal Generator to send a 1000Hz Sinewave at 1 Volt Peak (= 0.707 Volt RMS = 2 Volt Peak-Peak)
• Load GENOME and move the IN Level Input Gain until GENOME’s Input Level reads “-11.0 dB”

So, Why Do This? Gain-staging your input signal for GENOME lets you:

• Calibrate the reference input level of GENOME in order that the Components sound the way we intended them to sound
• Limit the strength of noise generated by the audio interface, specifically for high-gain scenarios

All About Your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input & GENOME’s “IN” Input Gain

Throughout the optimization steps outlined above, two critical components have been used to calibrate GENOME’s input - namely, Your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input & GENOME’s “IN” Input Gain. As such, we felt it important to outline some key information concerning these vital aspects of your GENOME backline.

About Your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input and Related Gain Parameter

An Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input Gain Preamp parameter is the only control allowing you to improve your Audio Interface’s Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). SNR is a figure that denotes how much louder your guitar signal is compared to the background noise inherent in any electronic device (including your audio interface). In short: The bigger the gap, the lower the noise and the better the results are!
This setting is different for every audio interface and instrument combination. In a nutshell, the louder your instrument, the less you will be able to push the gain up on your audio interface; in contrast, the more headroom you have on your Input, the more you’ll be able to push up the gain.
There’s no secret rule behind it, just plug your guitar, play hard and loud while pushing up your Audio Interface’s Input Gain until you start clipping the input, then dial back the input gain a little until the audio interface ceases registering a clipped signal.

About GENOME’s “IN” Input Gain

GENOME’s “IN” Input Gain is the primary tool to optimize the pre-amplified signal to the reference level expected in GENOME. It won’t affect the SNR, but will configure the level of the Audio Interface’s Guitar signal to the expected/optimal level for GENOME’s Components. This value is entirely dependent on the incoming signal’s loudness; as such, it needs to be determined after you’ve set your Audio Interface’s Hi-Z/Instrument Input Gain. The green meter value (-11.0) is the peak input level. The gray value underneath, as well as the toolbox (+1.0), denote the boost/trim applied to the input in dB. In short, you’ll want to see a 1 Volt Peak signal to read as -11.0dB in the input peak level to be properly calibrated.

A Final Thought: You don’t have to do all of this to appreciate GENOME!

It’s important to note, all this calibration is great but in the end creativity is king. So, if you’re happy with the tones you’re getting from GENOME or simply prefer the sound with different settings, more power to you!

Having issues?

Our support team is here to assist you! For any enquiries, please head over to our Help Desk and submit a ticket to speak directly to one of our in-house specialists.