Topic: Recording with Roland R-07--How to avoid distortion

[banjoboy]

Recording with Roland R-07

Four-piece all-acoustic bluegrass band playing through house system. I have given up on recording from the soundboard. Recently I screwed the R-07 on top of a mic stand a few feet in front of the band. I set the input-volume level at 55. When we started playing, I saw the clipping light blinking. Between sets I lowered the input volume to 50. Later when I analyzed the recording in Amadeus Pro, I found a few hundred thousand instances of clipping. But when I amplified the recording by 95%, Amadeus Pro showed no evidence of clipping. I heard no distortion when listening. I don’t understand this.
I would appreciate knowing how (or if) three features of the Roland R-07 might be used together.
1.   Rehearsal
2.   Limiter
3.   Two simultaneous recordings
Rehearsal—After recording for 30 seconds to 5 minutes,  the Rehearsal function will automatically set the appropriate recording level. It is not clear to me why the operator would use the limiter or two-level recording if Rehearsal has set the recording level appropriately.
Limiter—Prevents loud sounds from causing distortion. Would this serve any purpose after Rehearsal sets the input level?
Two-Level Recordings—Second recording will be approx. 20 dB lower than the set input level. Would 20 dB lower serve any purpose after Rehearsal sets the input level? Thanks for help.

banjoboy

[guitard]

Have you read through these two threads?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=184906.0

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=189715.0

I read through them when I was considering buying an R-07; and after getting it, I found the knowledge I gained was really helpful.  I'm sure I've read through those threads multiple times by now.

[banjoboy]

Thank you. I'm on my way.
banjoboy

[roffels]

My experience, with the r07 and soundboard recording, is that you need some attenuator between the soundboard and the r07 or it will distort.

For what it's worth, if you're unable to monitor your levels in real time, it never hurts to record at lower levels than you think you'll need to - just be sure to record 24-bit and you can always boost it it later. 

[FrankPere]

I don't have any problems with r07, and I would like to admit that it was one of my best recordings

[kylieshotpants]

I've never had a problem with distortion I record in 24bit fairly low levels then boost in post.