quote:

Originally posted by DJRecess Hey folks, Can I just chime in on this one re: levels for recording. Technically, it's not what goes OUT of the mixer that is going to make the biggest difference, it's how you've set to go IN to the recording device that's the issue. It's all very good saying 'stay away from the reds' - but if your recording device isn't turned up, you're going to get a really low level recording. And, if you're device is set to record at max, then even the yellows flashing might make a massively clipped recording. Years ago, on my site, I wrote a big thing about recording levels etc when going onto tape - as ten years later, it's all about recording to CD/PC etc - I'll re-write is, as there's a lot of confusion about this it seems. As far as throwing out to AMPs, sure - it's bad bad bad to max peak out the reds for some installations - but others, you need to - as the amps aren't set up right. There's a fine line between playing out strong and maxing everything out and creating distortion though! And remember, if that little bastard of a screw is still on the back (I'm assuming it has it, like my 600) which reduces the master output strength anyway - then it's all a bit 'moot' in terms of "Don't go in the red" "Only stay in XXXX etc..." Set up for what you're going into (and obviously how it sounds) and you should be fine. Darroch - what are you setting up for? Recording or playout? What do you use (ie, amp, hi-fi, powered speakers.) And where'd you get the 800? Somewhere in Glasgow? Good price?

Howdy,

Cheers for the advice. I'm setting it mainly up for recording at the moment. Your very true when you say that when it may be toucing the yellows on the trim of the mixer it is still low when it is recorded. Is there any way to adjust this? I'm using soundforge and m-audio delta with powered speakers.

I got the mixer on decks.co.uk along with the cdj1000's & the sefour bracket. Got a good price on it all!

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Originally posted by dj darroch Ok cheers for that. Do you try to keep the levels on each channel mixer at 0db or...? I'm just trying to know what db there best kept at!

It depends on the track. Some tracks are mastered at lower volumes, others higher, etc. I'd say while cuing your tracks up, watch the levels for that individual channel and adjust the gain knob as necessary so the yellows bounce but no red flashes. Every track can be different so adjust as necessary so one track wont come in a lot quieter or louder than the one before it.

The master should stay the same once you have it adjusted so that it doesn't redline.

i dont know if you use CD or not, BUT one thing that sucks & you don't have any control over: if you play downloaded mp3s, many times those recordings are maxed out - clipping everywhere - you have already lost fidelity in the mix you can never recover.

also watch your final/master recording...

i adjust my master level by doing a few 5 second test recordings at different master levels, and open/compare the actual RECORDED WAVEFORMS to see how close I am to clipping. the acutal waveform recorded is ultimately your master mix. (proper EQ is assumed here)

when i find a good waveform (the one that's closest to the clip minus a little headroom), i leave the master at that setting. also, i set the the source (MIXER) to just under redline because i want the most accurate (non-distorted) output from the source - important when recording anything that has an analog audio cable in the loop. (let's also assume you have the fattest/best analog cables)

i do this before every set i record in the studio - but in the club it just depends on the sound system...sometimes you have to overdrive some frequencies/levels.

___________________
PATRICK KROFT
PatrickKroft.com ~ DI.fm Tribal House DJ ~ Last.fm Tribal House

A related question,

Lets say my setup is computer-->mixer-->receiver

What should my volumes be at respectively? Should I use mostly the receiver to amplify or should I spread it around? Should I have the comp volume maxed? etc. Thanks.

The problem I have when recording onto my computer is that although the channel faders and master volume never go into the red, the line in recording volume on the computer always goes into the red, even though this is the almost minimum recording level. Any lower and nothing records at all.


Any advice?

this has always bugged me but maybe somebody can shed some light...after making sure the loudest part is peaking at 0db constantly, some tracks have those quick jumps (ie, less than a second) into the yellow, usually +1db...should you factor that quick spike into recording? or is it okay to leave it alone since the 99% of the track is peaking at 0db except that 1%???

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Originally posted by epdarks A related question, Lets say my setup is computer-->mixer-->receiver What should my volumes be at respectively? Should I use mostly the receiver to amplify or should I spread it around? Should I have the comp volume maxed? etc. Thanks.

i always avoid setting any recording level in the chain to its max....because all you will do is record more of the "hiss" that your computer/hardware produces...try to set everything at the lowest level that still gives you the maximum peak.

___________________
PATRICK KROFT
PatrickKroft.com ~ DI.fm Tribal House DJ ~ Last.fm Tribal House