Noob question.

sd-cd · 10th July 2008

Hello,

I got this little question.

My vocal "chain" is: SP B1 > SP VTB1 > SC4 desktop mixer > E-mu 1212m.
Until today I always used 2 gain "knobs" to record my signal > that from VTB1 and from the SC4...they were set somewhere in the middle. > but always 2 were used together.
Was it right? Or should I only use the preamp gain and set SC4 gain to the minimum?

/I think this is important because of the signal quality...but want to be sure/.

tINY · 10th July 2008

First off, I'd split the pre-amp out and feed both the mixer (if you need it for foldback) and the converter directly.

But, you generally want to set the pre-amp volume as high as you can without clipping, then set the other gains to a comfortable level. If you don't hear any noise in the quiet parts of your recording, then it doesn't really matter too much (though I expect you will with that gear).

-tINY

Michaelrophone · 11th July 2008

Personally, I would bypass the mixer and send the preamp straight into the Emu.

What you're doing with the mixer is putting another (unnecessary) gain stage into your chain, and therefore raising the noise floor.

I'd suggest looking up gain-staging in the forums and you'll find people who can describe the process much better than I can.

What I'd do in your situation is drive the input on your preamp up to the point where you're really digging the sound, then adjust the output until you're just shy of the clipping point of your DAW. Then, back it off just a touch (about 3-6 db or so) to give you a little comfort room for when the song kind of "takes over" the singer.

Good luck,
-Michael

10th July 2008	#1
sd-cd Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,188 Thread Starter	Noob question. Hello, I got this little question. My vocal "chain" is: SP B1 > SP VTB1 > SC4 desktop mixer > E-mu 1212m. Until today I always used 2 gain "knobs" to record my signal > that from VTB1 and from the SC4...they were set somewhere in the middle. > but always 2 were used together. Was it right? Or should I only use the preamp gain and set SC4 gain to the minimum? /I think this is important because of the signal quality...but want to be sure/.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Noob Rcording Question	T.J.	Music computers	5	10th July 2008 05:16 PM
Just a noob question	tamakid1292	Low End Theory	6	11th February 2008 07:36 PM
Phase(noob question)	tamakid1292	So much gear, so little time!	11	11th February 2008 09:01 AM
Noob panning question	bluestarbass	So much gear, so little time!	7	30th November 2007 05:33 PM
noob wiring question -	mute pink	instruments, guitar, bass, amps	2	2nd February 2007 11:30 PM

10th July 2008	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,233	First off, I'd split the pre-amp out and feed both the mixer (if you need it for foldback) and the converter directly. But, you generally want to set the pre-amp volume as high as you can without clipping, then set the other gains to a comfortable level. If you don't hear any noise in the quiet parts of your recording, then it doesn't really matter too much (though I expect you will with that gear). -tINY

11th July 2008	#3
Michaelrophone Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Wherever I End Up Posts: 197	Personally, I would bypass the mixer and send the preamp straight into the Emu. What you're doing with the mixer is putting another (unnecessary) gain stage into your chain, and therefore raising the noise floor. I'd suggest looking up gain-staging in the forums and you'll find people who can describe the process much better than I can. What I'd do in your situation is drive the input on your preamp up to the point where you're really digging the sound, then adjust the output until you're just shy of the clipping point of your DAW. Then, back it off just a touch (about 3-6 db or so) to give you a little comfort room for when the song kind of "takes over" the singer. Good luck, -Michael