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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: Belexes on November 25, 2011, 06:27:52 PM

Title: 16 bit DAT recordings - gain boost?
Post by: Belexes on November 25, 2011, 06:27:52 PM

Some of my old DAT's I recorded at very safe levels.  I was thinking about boosting the gain, but that would not be wise with 16 bit because of the additional noise it will introduce.

Is that correct?

With my recordings today, I am always taping 24 bit at safe levels, boosting in post and adding a little EQ if needed.  I don't want to mess with the boosting on DAT's if that will make the recordings worse.

TIA.

Title: Re: 16 bit DAT recordings - gain boost?
Post by: bhadella on November 25, 2011, 06:40:17 PM

If your referring to boosting the gain digitally via software (like Audacity, Wavelab, etc), do it.  It won't introduce any noise that isn't already there.

Title: Re: 16 bit DAT recordings - gain boost?
Post by: dorrcoq on November 25, 2011, 07:45:18 PM

And if it does...well, just revert to the original file. :)

Title: Re: 16 bit DAT recordings - gain boost?
Post by: page on November 25, 2011, 08:58:32 PM

Quote from: bhadella on November 25, 2011, 06:40:17 PM

If your referring to boosting the gain digitally via software (like Audacity, Wavelab, etc), do it.  It won't introduce any noise that isn't already there.

second, the noise floor of the room is likely to be above the floor of the DAT deck or ADC in the chain. I wouldn't worry about it much.

Title: Re: 16 bit DAT recordings - gain boost?
Post by: Belexes on November 26, 2011, 09:57:51 AM

Thanks guys.  When I taped with DAT, I did try and peak around -6dB to -3dB, but sometimes it was less.  Nice to know I can raise the gain without harm.