"bantamdl" wrote in message
ups.com...
well... i've just done a little testing with all of this... and it
actually looks as if my original suspicion is on the right track.

this is using the shure attenuator, always at the -15db setting.

((1)) mic-sytek-attenuator-rme
------------------------------------------
a) with sytek input gain at 0, yields, as expected, a *really* small
final level into the rme, and the final resulting recorded waveform
seems normal.

b) as you raise input gain on the sytek, it (obviously) raises the
level hitting the attenuator, but the attenuator can't handle it and
what results is a flat, distorted wave that maxes out somewhere in the
middle of the available db scale. so it seems that there isn't an
unlimited bit of "headroom" on that attenuator. (for the record... the
final distorted sound was kinda BITCHIN'. could this be usable
distortion???...hmmmmm.....but i digress..)

The attenuator can handle it fine. You're watching the Sytek clip.

Peace,
Paul