Instrument and line level settings for insert effects

[thebukman]

I use my H90 only for wet effects and sending line levels to and from the device. I use it only in insert mode

I have a stereo reverb pedal that I want to use as a stereo insert however it works at instrument level. I have set in and out 3/4 to instrument level for this reason.

I assume this means the H90 will drop the signal level before sending the signal to the L/R inputs of the reverb pedal.

My question is whether it will do the reverse and bring the output level of the reverb returning to input 3/4 back up to line level to ensure a closer matching of the main and insert signal paths?

There is no info in the manual how these settings specifically work.

[tbskoglund]

Hello,

There are individual input and output level controls for 1-2 as a pair and 3-4 individually.

If you’d like the return from your stereo insert to be line level, you can switch the inputs of 3-4 accordingly.

Let me know if you need a further explanation.

[thebukman]

Thanks but I am still a bit unclear.

Could you perhaps explain what the line and instrument setting actually does?

I know I could manually adjust the levels of 1/2 and 3 and 4 but why do you also have the instrument and line level setting available?

Eg what does changing output 3 and 4 from line to instrument level actually do to the signal? Does it apply any standard reduction in the send level going to my reverb pedal?

Same with setting the return to 3 and 4 to line level. Will it apply any increase to the signal coming from my reverb pedal?

[tbskoglund]

The system settings allow you to change the operation levels of the inputs/outputs from line level to instrument level. Here is an explanation of line level vs instrument level signals: https://www.gearank.com/line-level-vs-instrument-level/

There’s not too much to worry about here, the H90 has a lot of headroom and most pedals will work fine with either level settings. It is most important if you are sending a (hot) line level signal to the H90 and you see input LEDs are clipping, then you need to adjust the input to line level or reduce the output of the instrument.

[thebukman]

Thanks

i understand the theory regarding signal levels. It’s more about clarifying what the H90 is actually doing when an instrument level insert is used.

So you mean if I am sending a line level signal into inputs 1 and 2 (which are set to line level) and I then send that signal into my stereo insert (which is set to instrument level) the H90 is automatically reducing the signal level hitting the insert for me without me needing to adjust anything?

And when I send the output of that insert back into the H90 it will also automatically increase the signal level again to match the line levels of output 1 and 2 (if they are set to line level)?

 

[tbskoglund]

Yes, that is all correct.

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