Rossko
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 1
|
| multitrack to record at 0db |
 |
|
Hello, My question is simply is there any advantages or disadvantages setting your multitrack to record at 0db at the input stage or is it advisible to record at -6db  I would normally record at -6db but i find it still can be hard to get a perfectly clean recording when dubbing guitars miked or using the DI option.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers Ross.  |
Thu Apr 24, 2003 12:12 am |
|
|
AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
|
| Levels in the studio |
|
|
Hi Ross
I'm not sure what you are asking, or why, but certainly it is considered "standard" to record at around 0dB.
The idea is that you would calibrate all of your studio equipment so that "0" does actually read "0" on everything.
In terms of advantages and disadvantages, recording at 0dB rather than -6dB means your tracks will be twice as loud. Having a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) is obviously beneficial to the quality of your recordings, particularly if they are dynamic.
There are different standards of 0dB however, and I suggest some reading on the topic of reference levels. For example 0dBu means 0.775v and 0dBv means 1 volt. You will also find consumer systems calibrated at -10dB, whereby 0dB is actually minus 10!
----
You mention "perfectly clean" and that you find it hard to achieve. This is not really related to recorded levels so don't get the two mixed up. Clean sounds come from having clean sounds to begin with, i.e. is it a clean sound acoustically, and ithen t's about microphone placement and choise. Of course the recording medium would make a difference also.
Hope that helps.
Chrish |
|
Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:08 pm |
|
|
|
|
SonicSi
Newbie
Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 9
|
|
|
|
This one depends on a few factors. mainly, is this an analogue or digital recorder, and if its analogue, are you metering using VU, or PPM?
analogue Vu's are a black art.. this is where the -6 thing comes from.... basically, a mechanical VU has too much inertia to accurately show levels on anything with fast envelopes. therefore, when recording on a reel to reel with VU, you shouldnt record anything percussive above " -6 " , the true level will be at least 3 dB above that if not 6. In other words, record a kick on a tape reading -6, and i'll all but guarantee you that the true level is 0 or therabouts. I'd definitely include rhythm guitar as one of the sounds you need to bear that in mind with.
If its analogue PPM, 0 is fine, on the basis that most machines will just compress to about +3 or so, then theyll start to distort a little. generally, above +6 and its definitely gettin dirty.
If its digital, and therefore PPM almost by definition, I wouldnt record to 0. With respect to the other opinions out there, consider this..... a decent 24 bit system should have dynamic range of 144 dB, theoretically. You can drop that to about 120 tops, given the noise floor of most desks, and back to 100 if you're recording synths etc. Even gettin that relies on having top quality throughout the signal chain.
Most pop stuff has a dynamic range WAY below that. In other words, you have loads of dynamic range that wont be used. Why wring the last 3 dB of range (that wont make a difference in the real world ) at the risk of distortion? That could be the best take the guy ever played, and if he hit it a bit harder then he did when you were setting up, its lost.
My vote: always record conservatively, because modern systems have the range to spare, most material wont suffer in terms of noise, and you'll never lose a take to unexpected level shifts.
Also, bear in mind this - compression adds distortion and noise. If you record conservatively, without compression, you can play with plug ins and procesors all day long - no problem. record with too much compression ( cos you're worried about levels ) and it'll come out with extra noise and distortion on it. D'oh! |
|
Mon May 05, 2003 5:54 pm |
|
|
IGLESIAS
Tape Op
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 23
|
| what is DI?? |
|
|
hey man I'm kinda new to this and I hear a lot of talk about "DI" what does that mean
also do you know where I could find terms like that in like some kind of glossary??? that would really HELP  |
|
Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:02 pm |
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is Fri May 16, 2008 11:34 am
|
|
|
|
| |
