I would agree that I run mine right in the 9-11 o'clock range most of the time as well. 0dB on the mixpre matches up very closely with my MR-1's 0dB via the XLR outs.
I read many posts about this 9-11 o'clock gain range people use. I will use a mix pre for the first time next week to tape a quiet Jazz show (Melody Gardot) and a blues & rock show (the derek trucks & doobie brothers) a few weeks later from that. So would I be safe in setting a 12 o'clock for a quite Jazz and a 10-11 o'clock for a blues and rock show? I will tape them both in stealth taping situation and won't be able to check the meter during the show. I would appreciate any input from Mix Pre users.
My set-up would be Audix M1280>Mix Pre>Korg Mr-1
Koichi
Hi Koichi -
I sometimes run almost the same setup (MixPre > MR1) and you'll definitely want to run the MixPre as low as possible. In fact, I'd second TaperJ's advice - use pads. When I'm using my MR1, I actually put pads between the mics and the MixPre, and then again between the MixPre and the MR1. The pads between the MixPre and the MR1 are most important. The MR1, even with line-in, has a very wimpy preamp and can't handle much signal at all. If at all possible, try to put yourself in a situation with similar sound levels (crank your stereo or something) and experiment to get the levels right. Be conservative and you should be OK.
I don't know why the MixPre has such huge gain, it must have been designed to record mosquitoes humping from across the room or something.
Good luck!
Mike