Just looking to get a sense check on my settings etc. I'm now using DPA 4061's going into a JGSound BB2 (8.3V battery box from a UK manufacturer w/ 6k8 Ohm resistors, https://www.jgsound.co.uk/battery-box-bb2/) and I'm not super happy with the first couple of tapes I've done so probably an issue with the settings I have on the A10. I've currently set it to record in 24bit, does hz matter much at all? Also have limiter on just in case but generally set it at 12 input volume on the Audio In setting) then adjust. What db level should I be aiming at for good later mastering? Is there any other setting I should have on/off etc?
24-Bit, yes. 44 or 48kHz is your preferred option (I like 24/48 but some people recording to burn to disc prefer to record at 44 to avoid any resampling but it only matters if you're planning to burn to CD.
Audio In is also correct. Input level between 11 and 13 is generally where I land but I try to watch my levels and see them peak at -8/-10dB. You need to ensure any limiter or auto-gain control is set to OFF. When you say "not super happy," that can be a whole bunch of reasons why that's the case. You need to remember that DPA 4061 are omnidirectional mics (that is, they pick up everything around you including chatter, etc.). Did the audio "sound good" where you were situated? Did it sound muddy in that spot? If that's the case, the 4061's are pretty much gonna pick up what you're hearing and you'll want to find the so-called sweet spot. I've found I like to more or less stack tape with 4061's (that is, be in line and pretty close to the speaker array). Keep in mind, some people do post-processing on their recordings before getting out there. For instance, I was at Kraftwerk a couple of months back and was FAR TOO CLOSE to the stage for a great capture but after some serious EQ-work and post processing, I got a recording out there that sounds quite good.
Hopefully this helps give you a little feedback. I've been doing this for well over 30-years now which pretty much every setup that's been tried. Still to this day, I have 'tapes' that are less than stellar sounding and this is using about US$2500 ahead of the deck.
