TD-15KV - Low input level via USB audio to Garageband

[ReiToei]

Hi there - I'm having what I hope is a simple problem with a simple solution that I'm just overlooking. I've been working with this setup for about a month - I've got:

TD-15KV
MBP OS X 10.9.2
Garageband 10.0.2

Connected via USB, Roland driver is installed, input/output on the Mac set to TD-15, USB Output level set to 100 on the brain. Everything works great except that the audio level being captured in GB is way too low. It's usable if it's a full kit part and I mix it at 100% and take all the other tracks down to 25-50%, but that's no way to mix, and if it's a brush part or other aux or something, it hardly even registers. I've tried using the "Record Level" slider (in Smart Controls > Inspector) and that doesn't help.

Before I resort to going analog audio and trying a powered DI or something, I thought I'd ask the experts if there are any known issues/suggestions here. Thanks in advance.

[airflamesred]

I presume it's showing low on any meters in GB?

[ReiToei]

The meters are lower but I'm not sure how much difference is significant in this regard... I grabbed a quick screen showing the meters and waveforms of a rhythm guitar (acoustic, recorded with a mic and DI), vox track (ditto) and the drum part:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...level-diff.png - faders are all at 0db

This is a "loud" part, too - I'm playing harder than I usually do on this part, so this is representative of peak levels... Not sure what to make of it except that it's not strong enough to mix well.

[thanrahan]

Hi - having exactly same problems with low input level via USB audio. Did you manage to resolve this, and if so how? Thanks!

[jpsquared482]

I don't have a solution to that problem, but an alternative. Pick up EZDrummer2 and use it as a plug-in. You'll LOVE the sounds for recording; they're in an entirely different arena compared to the stock TD-15 sounds. I have no problem getting the proper levels.

Have fun with it.
JP