How prone are recording Devices like the SD702 at clipping?

[jacktadoussac]

I have an existing recording rig that is very much prone to clipping: a Konnect 24D, a pair of dynamic mics, and Line Audio preamp, connected to a Windows Vista laptop.

My next gear acquisition should probably be a pair of compressors, such as that new one by the Real Nice Compressors people....

But for some reason, I am under the impression that devices like the SD702 have built-in peak limiting so that the actors clip the signal when the dialog gets heated.

Any folks out there with clipping-free recordings on their 702s?

[NorseHorse]

Have you considered turning the levels down on your preamp and/or Konnekt?

If you're running into the front of the Konnekt, make you sure you have the gain all the way down and the PAD switch engaged. Running into the LINE inputs on the back would be ideal since they bypass the preamp altogether.

[Corran]

Yeah you are running stuff too hot. If you are recording at 24bits, keep the level around -15 or so. A lot of recorders (even cheaper ones like the H4) have built-in limiters but I never use them - better to record a few db less than have limiting done on the master files!

[jacktadoussac]

Norse, I have tried the pad on the Line Audio Pre, but I haven't tried to put the signal into the line level inputs at the back of the Konnekt.

My cables exiting the preamp are XLR type...but as you said I have tried to turn the levels way down. Also there is a gain selection switch on the Konnekt that goes from mic to line levels.

Also there is the option of not using the additional preamp...which sort of works but is still vulnerable to clipping.

[John Willett]

Just use -18dBFS as your 0VU point and you'll be fine.

You do *NOT* need to record "hot" with 24 bits.

[Petrus]

Originally Posted by jacktadoussac

But for some reason, I am under the impression that devices like the SD702 have built-in peak limiting so that the actors clip the signal when the dialog gets heated.

Any folks out there with clipping-free recordings on their 702s?

The only way to get clipping free recordings is to use low enough input levels. Does not matter what the recorder is. Clipping is not the norm, it is a major user mistake.

SD7xx recorders do have input limiters, but non-adjustable (only on/off). For field recording (video?) it is much better to get a field mixer like Sound Devices 302 which has very good adjustable limiters and bigger meters than SD7xx. It is also possible to ride the gain when the action gets too hot. So try (rent?) a SD302, configure the limiters to +17 dBvu and feed your recorder line level signal from mixer. A 1:20 limiter like SD302 has at +17dBvu means a whooping 60 dB of extra headroom. But remember that the limiter is still just a safety net, you are not supposed to lean on it all the time.

Of course recording to 24 bits with a good recorder gives you about 3-4 dB more real headroom compared to a 16 bit recorder (real dynamic ranges with the best 24 bit field systems like Nagra and SD7xx is around 114-117 dB, no system has nowhere near real 24 bit resolution).

[jacktadoussac]

I acquired to the correct cables so I could enter the TC Konnekt 24D at line levels. I was able to get a much better test recording right off the bat -- and without even using the PAD on the mic pre -- only a couple of clips, but what do you expect with a Collings guitar with 12 frets to the body.

I still have to work out a failsafe strategy. The thing that's slightly confusing is frigging around with computer software volume levels in addition to the levels set on the mic pre and the Konnekt. I would imagine the best thing to do is run the mic pre with the volume control at half gain, and then tail things back at the software (in Cubase LE and Konnekt).

I would presume that setting the Konnekt first, to get rid of clipping, and then (possibly) setting the somewhere Cubase below 0 db is the way to go.

Is there a recommendation out there; the correct way to set the mic gain and the audio interface gain, and then the gain that the computer perceives at so many levels?

My goal is to preset this stuff and play the guitar.