Can I boost line level signal?

[musicology]

I'm finding that the line signal from my midi controller to my cd combo mixer is much quieter than when playing cd's. I have to have the mixer up quite high to get the volume. Is there a device that will go between my controller and mixer (RCA sockets) to boost the volume coming into the mixer from my controller?

[Nakatomi]

I'm surprised there's not enough gain parity there if I'm honest.

But yes, you can get line level amplifiers to go between, (like this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stereo-Line-Level-Amplifier-Adjustable/dp/B00GLLOSEQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1431968399&sr=8-5&keywords=line+level+amplifier) ) but it's another link in the audio chain which can fail. Does the output of the controller never go past unity when the master volume control is at its max? Which controller is it? Which mixer/cd combo is it?

The output of my MC2000 is seriously hot, almost too hot for 'pro' line level mixers so I never even have it half way up or it clips the mixer input.

Oh yeah, I should also ask if you adjust the pre-gain in your playout software so it peaks nicely just below 0dB too.. Or do you just lie back & let the software leveler do it all? Some of my tracks need a huge amount of gain to make them usable.

I should also ask if your controller comes under the control of the windows mixer too, because that can affect your output volume as well. In which case, you can bypass that by using ASIO drivers (DirectSound et al suck to high heaven latency wise too).

[musicology]

I'm using hercules rmx into numark cdmix. There is quite a big disparity in the volumes between playing a cd direct through the balanced outputs and the hercules which, of course, is connected via RCA line in so it's not that surprising to me. I just wondered if I could get it better balanced by boosting the signal.
Your link is helpful but I would need 2 of those which makes it quite dear (stereo decks 1&2).

[Nakatomi]

Is it the Hercules RMX with 1/4" jack outputs as well as the RCAs? If so, use the 1/4" jacks instead. They're 'pro' (+4dB) level as opposed to -10dB on the RCA jacks.

[musicology]

Is it ok to connect +4dbu to -10dbv inputs then? I understood it could damage the mixer inputs so haven't tried it.

[Nakatomi]

I shouldn't damage the mixer, but running clipped audio into a PA can be bad for the speakers ;)

From what you describe the line inputs on the CDmix aren't loud enough with -10dB going in anyway. You can always turn down the master output of the RMX controller to compensate. Turning down something that's too loud is better than not being able to turn something that's too quiet, up :)

[musicology]

I'll give that a go then. I was just scared of buggering the mixer inputs. Cheers.

[dicky]

Hi Musicology

One of these is cheap enough and will do exactly what you wish to achieve mate and also will give you variable gain of the 'line level boost' ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Boostaroo-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-3-Way-Splitter-Upbeat-Audio-T613-BNC-/131505446052?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9e55dca4

You will have to use rca/phono to 3.5mm jack adaptors and vice versa but they are cheap as chips

Also it runs on two x AA batteries, but they last for ages to be honest. I use one for different purposes and the sound quality is excellent.

Rich