thadefendent
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Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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| Checking Levels |
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I do some live shows and some recording at my house and at shows and when i record at other peolpes places they always talking about checking the levels...I kinda understand what they are talking about but can some one help me out about checking your levels and peaking, etc...or maybe point me in the dirrection of when i could find out...? |
Mon May 07, 2007 11:13 pm |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Re: Checking Levels |
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quote:
Originally posted by thadefendent
I do some live shows and some recording at my house and at shows and when i record at other peolpes places they always talking about checking the levels...I kinda understand what they are talking about but can some one help me out about checking your levels and peaking, etc...or maybe point me in the dirrection of when i could find out...?
Checking levels is typically when you ensure each microphone signal is not "clipping" or too low also. You would normally set the mic input gain so that the meters are almost always near to 0dB which is known as "unity gain".
Naturally it's not always that simple as performance volumes increase and decrease, in which case you set for the highest setting during a loud test passage.
You can also adjust E>Q> during this "sound check" and move the mics/change them until the required sound is obtained.
You can do this individually per mic, or all together as a whole band playing (my preferred method).
Hope that helps.
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It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Tue May 08, 2007 12:13 am |
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thadefendent
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Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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So is peaking and clipping the same thing? Because on my mixer when I record I usually try to get it so my vocal recordings are around 0db like you said...but this little red light blinks and says peak next to it, but thats when i get really loud for a second...I'm trying to explain this the best way I can.. |
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Tue May 08, 2007 1:22 am |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Clipping |
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quote:
Originally posted by thadefendent
So is peaking and clipping the same thing? Because on my mixer when I record I usually try to get it so my vocal recordings are around 0db like you said...but this little red light blinks and says peak next to it, but thats when i get really loud for a second...I'm trying to explain this the best way I can..
You can think of peaking and clipping as the same.
In actually fact most desks will turn the peak light on well before the signal is actually "clipped" just to warn you. As long as you use your ears you can drive them.
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Tue May 08, 2007 1:28 am |
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thadefendent
Addict
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 59
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starting to make more sense...thanks |
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Tue May 08, 2007 3:40 am |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Clipping |
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Also cheaper mixers will generally clip earlier as they have less headroom (its all about the power supplies) so clipping varies between gear.
keep an eye out for that as your amplifiers and outboard etc. may well clip long before the mixer does.
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If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Thu May 10, 2007 1:05 am |
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AMR
Joined: 16 Sep 2003
Posts: 58
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quote:
Originally posted by thadefendent
So is peaking and clipping the same thing? Because on my mixer when I record I usually try to get it so my vocal recordings are around 0db like you said...but this little red light blinks and says peak next to it, but thats when i get really loud for a second...I'm trying to explain this the best way I can..
It's wise to leave some headroom, thus meaning that when you shout your lungs out to the mic you should adjust the mixing desk just to go "yellow", never reaching "peak" (red) if working digitally, because you can't fix a clip... and some do go unnoticed, that is, until you start seriously digitally processing the mix and noticing strange "pop's" or effect behaviours, but by then it's too late... and you have to improvise a way to disguise'em (the clips)...
Kind Regards,
AMR
http://www.alvaromrocha.com
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Thu May 24, 2007 12:06 pm |
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