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3.4.8.7
Selecting Monitor Sources
Let’s look at the process of assigning input sources to Hilo’s Outputs.
Let’s say that we wanted to add Digital In as a source to route to
the Line Out.
We could simply enable the Digital In with either a single-tap or
double-tap and the page would now look like this.
In this state, audio streaming from USB Play 1&2 will be merged with audio streaming from the Digital Input. One must be cautious
of the levels of each source in this case, as the combined signal strength could cause clipping to the output. If this occurs, it can be
remedied by attenuating the faders for the input sources (USB Play 1&2 and Digital In), or by attenuating the associated output.
Now if we wish to listen to the Digital In signal through Line
Out but NOT the USB Play 1&2 signal, we could turn the USB
Play 1&2 button off, again via the one-tap, or two-tap method.
Using either method, the result would be Digital In as the only
source feeding Line Out. It would look like this.
3.4.8.8
Adjusting levels of input sources and outputs
The Output Mix Routing page has two faders, one on the input side and one on the output side. In both cases the single fader controls
the level for two channels of audio.
The fader on the input side adjusts the amount of signal from the input source that is in focus (with the white box around it) that is
feeding the active output. It is not altering the input level itself (Hilo does not do this for sonic reasons), merely the amount of that
input signal streaming to the output. This fader has a range of -95 to +12 over unity. The associated meter displays the input signal
strength, so there will be no decrease in meter activity as the input source is attenuated.
The output fader adjusts the overall volume level of the output selected. With Monitor Out and Phones Out, the fader will adjust the
ANALOG output level by default, ensuring the best sonic results. In cases where the listening level is correct, but there is clipping on
those outputs because multiple sources are being summed together, the fader function can be switched to digital by pressing the
Analog/Digital selection button in the output section. With this option, one can eliminate clipping from the digital side, and then adjust
for the desired listening volume on the analog side. With all other outputs, the fader attenuates digitally. The output fader adjusts from
-96 to unity. With digital attenuation, Hilo applies dither to reduce quantization noise and maintain low distortion.
There are two means to adjust the input source and output faders.
They can be adjusted directly on the touchscreen or with greater accuracy by using the
rotary encoder knob. When the knob is used, pressing down will toggle the active fader
from Input Source to Output.
The active fader will have a yellow fader track. In this graphic, the Output is the active
fader.
