Quote:
Originally Posted by nickynicknick  I agree that you should be able to record this way...but I don't so much anymore because of amount I like to push the pre varies with each track and when tracking into a decent converter (no not digi 192)....you may find that there is a specific hot spot for certain tracks.... |
Hmmm.. for mic pre gain and getting the sweet spot sure but all you need is a line trim device to set the level to to converter (or tape recorder nicely - so a ATTY or a fader (if working on a console) in fact when pushing mic pre's its pretty hard to do it and not slam idiotic levels to a converter any way so you really do need some sort of level control unless you want to be round the back of your converter with a tiny screwdriver adjusting its input calibration all the time)
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickynicknick also I would never track anything anywhere near digital zero....-6 for peaks only. MTC.
Nick |
You totally missed the point being discussed with that comment. No one is suggesting you record at digital zero.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jules "All in a LINE" is the technique  (not all at zero, don't confuse the two!) tutt |
These are all poor excuses not to try this technique
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveschizoid Gain staging is important on the other hand. Setting your pre's to get the optimal sound on each track is the only approach that makes sense to me. |
People using the "all in a line technique" understand gain staging well but take things a 2nd step further.
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveschizoid Monitor mixes are best totally divorced from gain staging IMO. |
Its possible to record signal 'all in a line' that has perfect gain staging with each piece of equipment involved in the chain.. (by using a fader at the end of the chain)
To those not believing.. 2 points
1) Try to remember what an analog fader does, yes, a real, physical fader that you can actually touch! Its often forgotten in the DAW environment but if you think about it, was obviously a big part of classic analog recording techniques. In a DAW studio a real fader is
very useful to have around - if you are overloading mic pre's or compressors or anything else, how else will your converters cope with the hot level if you dont turn it down before it reaches them? A fader before the recorder has been a very important tool for engineers for decades.. look into it, really!
2) "It doesn't look right on the converter's meter's" - you are going to have to
use your ears for this technique, not your eyes! To try it, you will have to stop looking at your converter meters and biting your fingernails and will have to trust your converters to record OK a little away from 'zero'.
Recap
Try to use a real fader (or volume pot) before the converter / tape machine
Don't stress about meter levels, does it sound OK?
Have courage