Topic: Newbie question about recording level

[Denny21]

Good morning,
I am just entering in the taping world.
I bought a Tascam DR 05, I would like some advice on how set it to avoid distorted sound.
On the Tascam site is reported that DR 05 is suitable for environments with 125dB SPL.
Can anyone help me set the low-cut filters and the automatic level control (Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter) please?
Usually I go to very loud concerts.
Thank you

[acidjack]

- Do not use auto level control
- Do not use low cut filter
- Anything else that promises to automatically do something, turn it off.

Likely, the Tascam will distort at a loud rock concert no matter what, if you are using internal mics.  That rated SPL is almost certainly not an accurate spec.  Most of these manufacturers publish absurd specs on their internals that have no correlation to reality.

That said, to have any hope, set the mic sensitivity to "LOW" if such a setting exists, and then set your levels so that you are peaking at or just above -12dB

I strongly recommend looking into some small external mics from The Sound Professionals (www.soundprofessionals.com) or Church Audio (see "Retail Space")

[George]

and check the yardsale for used gear being sold by our members. 

[pontiacb]

I agree with everything acidjack says, although assuming the internals on the DR05 are similar to those on the DR07, I think you can get away with pretty loud stuff with the internals without risk of distortion based on my experiences using the DR07 as my back up recorder when stack taping.  Having said that, the recommendation to look at some external mics from Church or SPs is something I'd endorse, but I'd give it a go with the internals and the settings acidjack suggests and see how you get on. 

[Denny21]

Thanks all for the replys.
I can set the microphone to "low".
However, I can use auto peak reduction to set levels or I have only to set -12db?
May I cover the recorder with a stocking for disguise it?

[acidjack]

Thanks all for the replys.
I can set the microphone to "low".
However, I can use auto peak reduction to set levels or I have only to set -12db?
May I cover the recorder with a stocking for disguise it?

Acoustically transparent material probably won't affect the sound, but you want the recorder as high as possible above the heads of other folks to get the best recording.  Yet another reason to use external mics, since I'm sure putting one of these recorders on your head is kind of difficult.

Do not use auto peak reduction. That stuff is for recording speech, not music.  Set your levels conservatively so that they peak around -12dB.  Set the mic sensitivity to "low".

The SP-CMC-2 (aka AT831b) mics from Sound Professionals are one solid way to go.http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-2

[Denny21]

Many thanks for the tips.
I will not buy the microphones because I have low budget for now. I'll upgrade later.
I did some tests with my hi-fi at home and I reach the peak easily at loud volume.
I've listen the recordings and the sound isn't distorted.
I have searched in menu and I can't set the microphone sensibilty to low.

Please check my image, I set this level to 0.
Is the right setting?

[pontiacb]

I just had a quick scan through the manual on line and it doesn't look like there is a mic sensitivity setting - on a lot of recorders there is and in those instances best to set to low for loud shows.

However loud your HiFi is at home it will be a fair bit louder at a rock show if you are anywhere near the stacks, so set the recording levels conservatively to start with at your first show, you don't want peaks going over the 0dB threshold, better to be a bit under ideal levels than over as you can always boost in post production using your sound editing software.  So if you were peaking at 0dB with your HIFi you certainly want to lower the recording level a fair bit (p49 of the manual tells you how to do this if you haven't already worked it out)

As acidjack said somewhere around -12dB is about right.   After you've used the recorder a couple of times you'll know exactly what recording volume to set it at from experience, but with any new recorder it takes a bit of getting used to.  And save for some external mics in the long term as they will get you better recordings, but you can get something decent with what you've got if you position yourself correctly and have a bit of luck.

Good luck!

[TimeBandit]

I just kept the gain at Zero (so no gain).

i tested the CA-11 mics into mic in with PIP and on moderate amplified shows i get nice levels around -10

For VERY LOUD shows i still opt in for a battery box (+ tascam still set to 0), and for very quiet the Ca9100 and dial in the gain on the ca9100.

[oreo]

Everyone raves about these battery boxes .I used my sony m-10 with
CA-14 cards into mic in and no BB or 9100 and it sounds like i was plugged into the soundboard .
100% True ! JMHO Done the same with my tascam DR-05

[aaronji]

Everyone raves about these battery boxes .I used my sony m-10 with
CA-14 cards into mic in and no BB or 9100 and it sounds like i was plugged into the soundboard .
100% True ! JMHO Done the same with my tascam DR-05

Well, that sucks.  Maybe next time it will turn out better...

As for the battery box, the plug-in power for the M10 (and the Tascam) is good enough for some mics, some of the time.  Other models may need more juice, especially at higher SPLs.  The way I look at it, a battery box is cheap and small insurance to help ensure that you don't overload your mics.  Church has said in the past that CA14s need more voltage than the M10 puts out at higher SPLs...

[Denny21]

  So if you were peaking at 0dB with your HIFi you certainly want to lower the recording level a fair bit (p49 of the manual tells you how to do this if you haven't already worked it out)

As acidjack said somewhere around -12dB is about right.   After you've used the recorder a couple of times you'll know exactly what recording volume to set it at from experience, but with any new recorder it takes a bit of getting used to.  And save for some external mics in the long term as they will get you better recordings, but you can get something decent with what you've got if you position yourself correctly and have a bit of luck.

Good luck!

Of course, I have read the manual, but I dont' find the way to set the recording level under 0 db.

[newplanet7]

Everyone raves about these battery boxes .I used my sony m-10 with
CA-14 cards into mic in and no BB or 9100 and it sounds like i was plugged into the soundboard .
100% True ! JMHO Done the same with my tascam DR-05

Easy bro. You have self admittedly taped one show.
Sure you can under power your mics and get passable results. But for consistency
that's why they make batt boxes.

[acidjack]

^^^ Truth.

Man, this thread depresses me 

[oreo]

cant win going against the norm . Yea , it really sucks getting
good sounding shows without all that extra money spent on
equip you may , may not need . and im up to 32 shows now .
Not aBB or pre on 1 .All really good " live "sounding .