This question covers a lot of different pieces of gear, so I am asking it here.
I recorded a fairly loud rock show last night with this rig: Schoeps MK41s > Nbox Platinum > Edirol R-07. The Schoeps and Nbox Platinum are both brand spanking new, and this was my first time recording with them.
Previously, I have used a CA-9100 and a CA-ugly2 for pre-amps along with various mics - but AT853s for the last year or so. With the 853s and the CA pre, I would go with an input level on the R-07 anywhere from mid-20s to mid-30s (depending on venue, loudness, etc.).
Of course, I did some testing with the new rig before I went to the show. But after I got there and got everything set up, I noticed the levels on the R-07 were bouncing really high while the pre-show music was playing. So I started turning them down. I ended up at an input level of 4. Even though that's how low I had to go to get to where the levels looked safe, I was really worried that was too low for getting a decent recording. As it turned out, the recording sounds decent.
So I am wondering - is this just a difference in pre-amps; and in particular, since the Nbox Platinum has four 9v batteries, it's really supplying a lot of juice to the mics and thus the input level has to be much lower?
I also got a Baby Nbox, but have yet to try it out. Should I anticipate different input levels for that (compared to the Nbox Platinum)?
Thanks!