Topic: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Hello,

I got my headphones and ears blasted very badly while switching between WASAPI and ASIO music output modes (Babyface Pro).

ASIO did not use the usual "PH 3/4" software playback output in TotalMix but used "AN 1/2" instead which was at 0.0 default setting (why is a headphone output at 0.0 default anyway???).

Is this really intended behavior? I could not possibly have known beforehand. It only says "ASIO Fireface USB" in every playback app and gives no output channel information.

2

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

- The Babyface Pro does not blast phones or ears. You need an ADI-2 Pro or DAC for that.

- ASIO uses what a) YOU selected in the ASIO app as output, or b) the designer of the app did (some apps don't allow to select any output, like AIMP)

- AN 1/2 is the rear XLR output, not the headphone output.

- Apps that give no output channel information - please complain at the designer of said app.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

My TotalMix shows very clear activity on AN 1/2 when using any music playback software like Foobar or JRiver in ASIO mode. The only way to change the output is to do a custom channel mapping (not available in Fireface USB settings).

Both Babyface Pro and ADI-2 DAC say +7 dBu for the lower power headphone output. This is something like 116 dB with my headphones so I would say it is "blasting".

4

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

From youir description you did not use the volume control on output 3/4 to adapt your headphone (on the unit, or in the third row of TotalMix FX), but in the software playback row on 3/4. Then a playback on 1/2 will be at full volume, of course. Also from any other playback channel...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

My third row does not even have 3/4 output other than ADAT.

Why is ASIO routing to AN 1/2?

Here's another one: https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopi … 60#p109260

6

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Please learn how to use the unit and its tools. The Phones output is either in the control room section (which is still the third row) or assigned as Main Out.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

I don't see how it has anything to do with learning the unit that the default ASIO Fireface USB setting feeds audio into AN 1/2 XLR output which then gets routed back to Main Out. It simply makes no sense.

8 (edited by vinark 2019-06-27 20:59:30)

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Hi a Fellow RME user here.
If you understood the unit you would know it is user error. I do understand it now, after many errors ;-) in a much more complicated setup (about 48  i/o channels used of a hdsp9652).
Really everything is free to set up, so yes you will have to do that.

MC said
From youir description you did not use the volume control on output 3/4 to adapt your headphone (on the unit, or in the third row of TotalMix FX), but in the software playback row on 3/4. Then a playback on 1/2 will be at full volume, of course. Also from any other playback channel...

That is the point, control the headphones level with the output fader, not the software playback fader!
That is knowing your device :-)

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
Babyface pro fs, HDSP9652+ADI-8AE, HDSP9632

9

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Not to mention that this is the exact way anyone uses the Babyface Pro: one selects Ph 3/4 AT THE UNIT and turns the wheel. Doing this is as intuitive as given, and would have prevented any inconvenience.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

10 (edited by ramses 2019-06-28 06:45:51)

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Besides information from manual these two info resources could support you which I wrote as blog:

1st steps primer to setup TotalMix FX: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … rnal-equi/

Collection of very nice RME Youtube Tutorials:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … al-Videos/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

Thanks

MC wrote:

Not to mention that this is the exact way anyone uses the Babyface Pro: one selects Ph 3/4 AT THE UNIT and turns the wheel. Doing this is as intuitive as given, and would have prevented any inconvenience.

I had Phones selected at the unit and I always use the hardware volume, but selecting ASIO instead of WASAPI still forces Channel 1/2. I'm repeating myself...

I guess I could have avoided this by setting up literally everything manually before ever using the device. Personally I don't consider this a reasonable value proposition and my ear is already hurt, so I don't see being a customer for very long.

12 (edited by ramses 2019-06-28 11:34:08)

Re: ASIO uses different headphone output than WASAPI -> ears blown

I am really sorry to hear this, but things like this can happen with all devices if you do not act careful.

I am writing this to you that this does not happen to you again with whatever vendor / device that you will finally choose.

BTW .. even in the old analog world you had to take care to i.e. turn the proper faders down, this is nothing that the devices do on their own.

You need to think about safe procedures for yourself when working with devices that are capable to reach a very high volume which could be bad for your ears. Develop certain "safety belts" for yourself.

1. speakers:
- ideal if they have a volume know so that you can turn it down, otherwise
- check out this article from MC about mismatching levels and how to work with attenuators
https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=25399

2. phones:
- if you do not know how the levels are current set ... simply do not wear the phones until you are sure that its not too loud

Especially TotalMix FX can be configured in a way, that the output levels can be saved digitally and recalled properly by recalling snapshots.

I would also advice, to make actively use of existing TM FX features to bring everything to a defined volume level.

1. make a basic setup with all levels turned down to proper values and save it to all of the 8 Snapshot places,
so that recalling the wrong or unconfigured snapshot leads to unexpected high volume

2. check the tool symbol on the HW Outputs, that not the highest Level is being chosen for the outputs.

3. in the TM FX preferences configure 2 things
a) snapshot : Do not load "-------", this ensures that a snapshot does load the configured/saved volume level
b) Device Handling: (X) Always init DSP devices with TM FX settings, this ensures that the devices will be initialized by the last settings of TM FX on the computer during startup / login

4. if you have new devices that you do not know, take your time and make yourself familiar with it.
Be extra careful and anticipate that maybe a wrong click could bring something to 0dB.

If you want / need extra safety, get a monitor controller with phones outputs where everything finally goes through analog volume knobs (but ofc also these settings need to be re-checked b4 use if several ppl have access to it).
https://www.thomann.de/de/mackie_big_knob_passive.htm
https://www.thomann.de/de/mackie_big_knob_studio.htm

Recommendation: go to a doc if your ears have ring or whatever issue that still persists, things like this need to be cured / treated best as soon as possible.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13