Thanks guys.
I think I understand about the -10db part, not sure how to test it in playback though. Is there someway to test it?
Do you have an SPL meter? If so, just download some audio calibration clips that aren't built into JRiver, play them in JRiver like a normal file and measure the output. Or if you have a way of seeing the output in the RME mixer, you can skip the SPL meter.
Thanks for letting me know about the mixing, I'm glad to know that the channels are not discarded and are indeed mixed into the L/R signal. I want to clarify, I would need to select 2 channel output and select JRSS mixing to achieve this?
If you want a 2-channel only downmix, yes.
Could anyone shed light on why I am only able to get multiple channel output through ASIO and not other methods? I really am stuck on this, help please!
I've never used your specific RME device, but some pro audio interfaces present to windows as a set of disconnected stereo pairs. For those interfaces, the only way to get access to all channels is to use ASIO. One easy way to check is to look in the system tray at available audio devices. If you see 4 or more sets of outputs for your RME that are sequentially numbered, then that's probably the deal.
If, on the other hand, you only see one device for the RME in the windows mixer, another trouble shooting step: if you open up your RME device in the windows mixer, how many channel outputs does it show you? Can you set a different number of outputs there? (or in the RME mixer panel?)