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Recording levels
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| we_R_DNA |
I am just now getting into recording my own samples.
I want to know what -db levels would be good for the highs, mids and lows.
What level should the highs be recorded at?
What level should the mids be recorded at?
What level should the lows be recorded at?
What is the mastered tracks -db going to be with all highs mids and lows together? |
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| fr0st |
| Record at the "good" level.... |
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| Atlantis-AR |
How are you recording different levels for the lows, mids and highs? Just make the recording as natural or best sounding as possible and make sure it doesn't clip. I think I've read something about -6.0 dB being a standard recording level, though I can't say for sure. Either way, so long as you don't clip the output, theoretically there won't be any problems since you can always reduce the track gain in the mix.
As for your question on the mastering levels, what do you mean? :conf: |
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| GreenLight |
recording ... hmmm ... always remember when recording ... DO NOT CLIP IF POSSIBLE ... some sounds can be recorded at a clipped level, but youve gotta have a little skill on that level to know what Im talkin about ... so for starters ... DO NOT CLIP !!! lol ... clipping is going over the 0 decibel mark up ... usually you should have clip indicators that will blink red or highlight red if you clip ...
at your master ... all recordings should NOT go over clipping ...
highs, mids, and lows ... you have to develop your ear for that one buddy ... it also helps if you've got monitors that have a great amount of frequency response ... so you get all your ranges that your supposed to hear out of them ... usually if you've got some great headphones or studio monitors ... you'll develop your ear to what sounds good, what doesnt, and what sounds awesome ...
this also counts for EQing ...
get to work ! |
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| DigiNut |
"High", "mid", "low"?
What does that even mean? You're talking about 3 different frequency bands but haven't specified what the cutoffs are. And even so - it's useless to think about the levels of different frequency bands because there is going to be crossover.
The only thing you have to make sure of is that nothing is over 0 dB in the digital domain, and that nothing is over 3 dB in the analog in the analog domain. Otherwise you're getting clipping.
You don't need to EQ your samples when you record them - in fact it makes no sense to even think about doing that, because it's far easier to EQ them later.
For a final track, the appropriate master level depends on what media it's getting recorded onto. For CD audio it's -0.2 dB, but most people use -1 dB to give themselves a safety margin. |
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| we_R_DNA |
| Ok I have a good idea now for the -db , but now what would be the frequency that a mastered track would span. From what low to what high freq? |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by we_R_DNA
Ok I have a good idea now for the -db , but now what would be the frequency that a mastered track would span. From what low to what high freq? |
20 Hz to 22 kHz, the range of human hearing. ;)
Seriously, there is no answer to that question. You're going to have to learn to use your ear rather than relying on numbers and formulas. |
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| DJ Shibby |
| quote: | Originally posted by we_R_DNA
I am just now getting into recording my own samples.
I want to know what -db levels would be good for the highs, mids and lows.
What level should the highs be recorded at?
What level should the mids be recorded at?
What level should the lows be recorded at?
What is the mastered tracks -db going to be with all highs mids and lows together? |
-6 to -10... then tweak to fit.
Mastered track in its final stage should be -.3 to -.5 |
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| AaroNoct |
Don't get caught up in the technicalities of a mix. Trust your ears and let the velocity of each instrument dictate where you set the levels. The less you think about numbers when you're tracking, and mixing the better.
Why would you want the same generic levels to be set on every track? That wouldn't be very interesting music. The truth is that each of the track's levels will vary throughout a mix depending on where you're taking the energy of the tune.
-Aaron |
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| Derivative |
| do as scott brown and paul elstak sometimes do - if you cant get it all under 0 dB then add greasetube to everything. stick sc overdrive on the master bus and max out the fuzz so everything is over 0 dB. send the tempo into prestismo territory and sell it to the dutch. they love it loud and fast. har har har. |
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