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TASCAM DR-60MKII - which recording input gain range for a live gig recording?

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Barney:
Hello,

I've just purchased a Tascam DR-60MKII. I'm planning to use it to record a live gig in a couple of weeks, using a Rode NT4 on a stand, 60/40 feet from PA, near the board. I have done DAT and multitracks for 10+ years, havent done this for a long time... But I have a question for Tascam DR-60MKII users.

What input range do you use to record live gig?
Let's say rock music with calm and loud parts, indoor amplified music, in venue of about 500-1000 people with a modern PA system.

There are 4 input range on the Tascam:

* LOW
* MID
* HIGH
* HIGH PLUSWhy am i asking?
Due to schedule issues, I wont be able to assist to the soundcheck. There is no opening act. So, as soon as I am in the venue all I have for reference is the crowd noise, then the show will start.

I know about the dual ST mode, that could save my recording in case of overloads, but I'd rather use that in case my main recording has small parts of overload not constantly overloading.
I also want to avoid moving the gain knobs during the performance as there are audible level steps when you do so.
Recent tests showed that LOW with knob at max is higher than MID with knobs at min. It looks those input ranges overlap.

I'd be interested to know from people who have experienced the Tascam DR-60MKII in live (loud) music recording.
Thanks.


info: I usually target the -18dbFS area with peaks at -12dbFS. This will be recorded at 96Khz/24bit.

goodcooker:

Use the LOW gain range for amplified music in a venue with a big PA.

Don't know how sensitive the Rode NT4 is but if you get levels lower than you expect you can boost the levels in post.

I run my DR60 on low almost all the time. I regularly have to add 15dB later to normalize and don't suffer any ill effects. Gear nowadays is so quiet that you don't have to worry as much about amplifying hiss or input noise so you can run with much more conservative levels.

The gain ranges overlap - low on max is higher than mid on minimum.

dallman:

--- Quote from: goodcooker on October 12, 2017, 02:09:09 PM ---
Use the LOW gain range for amplified music in a venue with a big PA.

Don't know how sensitive the Rode NT4 is but if you get levels lower than you expect you can boost the levels in post.

I run my DR60 on low almost all the time. I regularly have to add 15dB later to normalize and don't suffer any ill effects. Gear nowadays is so quiet that you don't have to worry as much about amplifying hiss or input noise so you can run with much more conservative levels.

The gain ranges overlap - low on max is higher than mid on minimum.

--- End quote ---
I'd echo your comments exactly. I run on low, and I find on my DR60d that I tend to be more conservative than I need to, and that is perhaps because the meters are a bit different from other Tascam decks I run. The bottom line though is that I have had no additional noise added when I added gain of usually 6db up to 15dB in post, and if the show is really loud I have had no distortion or compressed feeling in my sound at all.

Barney:
Hi guys! Thanks for the info!

When you say you set your Tascam on LOW, do you adjust the levels with both L/R (1/2) gain knobs? Or do you just set them both at max?
Also, where are your peaks at?

goodcooker:

--- Quote from: Barney on October 12, 2017, 05:15:46 PM ---Hi guys! Thanks for the info!

When you say you set your Tascam on LOW, do you adjust the levels with both L/R (1/2) gain knobs? Or do you just set them both at max?
Also, where are your peaks at?

--- End quote ---

I try to avoid running any gain stage at max on the knobs. Not sure why maybe superstition or a hold over from the old days when max gain meant added hiss or noise. I use low gain and usually have the knobs somewhere around 3 o'clock (75%) for a loud show. Generally peaking around -12 to -6 dB. Different every time though.

You may have to run on MED and use the lower range of that gain setting depending on your mic and the music. From what I've been able to assess the lower 25% of the MED setting is about the same as the upper 75% of LOW.

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