If you're making use of QU-Drive or SQ-Drive recording directly to a USB storage device, or recording to a computer, you may notice that recording levels appear low when playing them back on common speakers or headphones.
This is normal, considering that live recordings are often mixed on large-scale PA systems - so levels don't necessarily translate well to consumer playback equipment.
You can adjust for this decrease in level in a number of ways, depending on your preferred recording method.
If recording in Stereo:
Option 1 - Create a separate recording mix. Usually an AUX is the output of choice for this purpose. Choose an available stereo AUX and send all the channels you want to record to that AUX. Then assign the L and R channels of that AUX to your USB stereo feed.
Option 2 - Use a stereo matrix to boost your main mix. Send your main LR mix to a stereo matrix on your QU or SQ console (not available on QU-16). You can turn up the send level of the main mix to +10dB, and then boost the matrix master as needed to get your desired recording level.
Note: Stereo USB drive recording source is USB channels 17+18 on QU, or USB channels 1+2 on SQ.
If recording Multitrack:
Option 1 - Change your Global Direct Out source. On both QU and SQ consoles, you are able to change the point in the signal chain for input direct outs on the channel Routing screen. Make sure that "Follow Fader" and "Follow Mute" are disabled, and try changing the source to "Post Preamp" so that none of the dynamic processing used in your live mix affects your recording. You can also adjust a per-channel Direct out trim on that same screen.
Option 2 - (SQ only) Use Tie Lines Try sending the input sockets directly to your USB channels using the Tie Lines screen. That will send post-preamp, pre-trim audio. Note that patching is now based on input sockets, rather than input processing channels, so you need to know the exact source of each input channel you wish to record.