Digital Signal level Into "Analog" emulation plugins?

[Majestikc]

What is an ideal input level into an analog emulation plugin?
If the plugin is modeled correctly on the analog hardware then wouldn't too "hot" a digital signal cause the plugin to react the same way as it would if you blasted it with too high an analog signal in the real world?

What would be a general equivalent, I read somewhere that around -18db digital is the same as around 0db with analog gear, so wouldn't an input level of -18db get a more "realistic" result from the plugin?

I'm sure a real Fairchild or whatnot wouldn't sound too great if you sent a way too high signal into it causing it too overload and not sound correct?

Any info on whether this makes any difference at all or not?

(all the dipsh1ts with there "it's not the real thing so it sucks" comments need not reply, the question is kind of specific)

[Everlast]

I'd suggest "use your ears" stereotype comment, but that's annoying

On the other hand, gain staging is important, not just for "analog modeled" plugs, but for most

What helped me the most is that utility called "plugin analyzer" which kinda gives you precise info what each plug is doing - THD, phase shifting, etc

To me, that was a big help with demystifying plugins

None of available plugs is the exact copy of its analog counterparts, which is normal, but you get the info which part of analog modeling they focused on and eventually got it pretty good. Most of "analog" plugs just emulate harmonic distortion

To answer your question - I think it's better to keep levels not higher than -6db's

That helps not to overload plugs with distortion they produce and believe me it's easier to drive plugs harder than you actually want and hear.

[KRStudio]

You are correct in keeping your recorded signal around -18dbfs. Not just for the plugs either!

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by KRStudio

You are correct in keeping your recorded signal around -18dbfs. Not just for the plugs either!

this "-18" figure is confusing people.

If you don't put a value on the dB reading, it's just a gain ratio. So you can add 6dB of gain, but not have a level of 6dB - it needs to be relative to something, eg dBFs (which has to be digital), or 6dBVU.

Now... -18 is used in music recording as a link between the analogue and digital worlds. A common lineup for interfacing converters with mixing desks is that -18dBFs = 0VU. ie when a signal reads 0VU on the mixing desk, sending it at unity gain to the DAW gives a reading of -18dBFs (-16 and -14 are also in use regularly).

Which means that a lot of the time, if you apply good gain staging so that your levels are hitting 0VU on the console, sending to tape WILL give you a level of around -18dBFs. Essentially, all you're doing is leaving sufficient headroom. It's not like -18 is this magical figure to aim at.

If this is confusing to anyone, the wikipedia article on decibels is quite good. Essentially though, don't add to the confusion by throwing around "-18dB" without qualifying what you're referring to.