+4 dbu or -10 dbu to and from Mic Pre and Compressor for Vocals???????

[larry b]

+4

[Clinka]

Wont the signal be a lil hot going to Pro Tools from the compressor at +4?

[mdoelger]

+4dBu is different from +4dBFS. Go for +4dBu and you're fine.

Don't think you always have to crank the preamp. Keep your signal at moderate levels!

[Clinka]

Much appreciated. Preciate ya.

[Wally]

if u have lowend equipment always keep it at -10 but if ur experienced then u can do the +4 but u should do +4 if ur recording at 24bit i dont know too much english

[dbbubba]

Doesn't the ART VLA 2 compressor have a on OUTPUT LEVEL adjustment?
That is where you set the gain structure that feeds your MBox or any recording device.

The front end (mic gain) has no real bearing.
You set it for optimal gain for the mic pre with enough level to dive the next stage to it's operating level, but without clipping.
The mic pre (when adjusted properly) should feed the compressor at a decent level.
You would then adjust the compressors "front end" or threshold (depending on it's design) level for the right amount of compression.
The compressor should have an output level or "make up gain" control and that determines what level the entire mic, mic pre and compressor chain feeds to your recording device.

+4 and -10 have nothing to do with it be done properly really.

Gain structure 101.

[Steffmo]

Just for reference if you don't realize....the -10 on the mic input is not the same as -10 or *4.

The -10 on the mic in reduces the sensitivity of the mic input by 10 db so that the is less likely to distort the input

As to the mic pre to the compressor to the Mbox, what is most important is that they all match. Plus 4 out of the pre into a plus 4 input on the compressor to a plus 4 input on the M box works. You can trim the gain out of the compressor if its a bit hot.

Same should be true of minus 10 out of the pre into a minus 10 input into a minus ten in on the Mbox.

Generally the sound the same as long as the gains are matched, although lately some companies are using cheap ways to knock down the plus 4 to minus 10. If you can use use plus for its more robust.