Stereo Mix volume Issue with Soundcraft Signature MTK22

[Chromeman]

I recently purchased one of these desks after reading the SOS review and for my needs its a perfect fit apart from one major issue which is that when the analogue summed tracks are recorded back into the DAW as a stereo mix there is a considerable drop in level. I've now discovered whole threads on other forums about this and it'a annoying to say the least. Someone suggested bussing everything to a group output with the group faders at max and this does increase the mix level but it's not ideal. Is this just a design fault? I can still return the desk but I like it and I don't think there's anything similar at this price (£650).

[Hugh Robjohns]

It's an analogue desk working with analogue headroom margins. If you don't want the headroom, drive the stereo mix bus harder to send a higher level into the converters... But be prepared for a correspondingly harder sound, too.

H

[Chromeman]

Am I right in assuming then that this is part of the design to allow more headroom when mixing?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes, I believe so.

H