Topic: Add a (free) dB scale label to any microtrack

[guysonic]

Yes, it's disappointing M-Audio omitted a dB VU scale. While not fatal, most find dB marked VU scale is at least helpful to gage needed headroom for avoiding clipping, and adjusting for adequate recording levels.  For me, not having a marked dB scale while recording is like "driving with one eye closed"

So here's one 'no-cost' solution:

Practical adhesive label showing the missing dB scale markings is FREE if lucky and/or having courage for accepting challenges requiring hand-eye-brain coordination.

If lucky to have Brother 300dpi USB connected TZ label printer, and want to print this label yourself and for others, then HERE www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#tip2 is posted the design file for download, compliments of Sonic Studios. Or design your own, maybe share the experience.

For those not so lucky with having the printer, but in US or Canada, and still wanting the challenge of applying a much needed very tiny label, get the FREE 3-line printed label (3 tries getting it right) by sending #10 or smaller self-addressed -postage paid envelope, to: Sonic Studios, DB LABEL OFFER, 1311 Sunny CT., Sutherlin, OR 97479 (USA)

NOTE: Label requests without pre-addressed envelope and/or full 1st Class postage get Q-guy-vaporized!

[Sebastian]

That's a good idea! +T

[rodeen]

Quick question.  The MT review has the tick between -12 and -4 shown as -8, the label you created shows it as -6.  Can you clarify which is correct?

The discussion in the review about the meters finally made me comfortable enough to run my
MT solo the other night (vs running it along side my DAT and NJB3).  I have to say, my levels were
dead to nuts on as I've ever had them set.  By using the fast update peak indicator I was able to
keep the peaks in the -4db to 0db range and had great average levels.  My UA-5 peak light only flickered
occasionally, but enough to make me very comfortable that my levels were good.

Thanks again for the review!

[RebelRebel]

Nice!

Of course the cheeseballs at M-Audio could make the thing print out the current gain setting in db and also add a scale.. Not holding my breath.

so how do you like the MT , Freelunch? Havent heard you say much about it. Thoughts?

[Chris K]

i have only been looking at the lcd level indicators to get levels even. you really should be setting your levels according to the green and red led on top and bottom of the level adjustment buttons. consider the red light like the lights on an sbm-1 or the single over light on the ua-5. it is simple and functional.

as long as the red over lights a few and far between blip of red, as opposed to constantly red, you will be fine.

ymmv

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Not gonna hijack.

On the subject of levels, the clip LED came on at -1 dB during my tests of the early firmware. I have been reluctant to trust the meters since the original freakout bug.  Nice to hear the fix is holding up.

I think the 2nd to last tic should be -8 and not -6.

[aberg]

How reliable are the MT level indicators when going coax-digital in? For example running behind a UA-5, which lacks meters, it would be nice for the MT to have reliable meters so an svu isn't required.

[rodeen]

How reliable are the MT level indicators when going coax-digital in? For example running behind a UA-5, which lacks meters, it would be nice for the MT to have reliable meters so an svu isn't required.

Last time out I used the MT's meters exclusively and was very happy with the results.
Maybe the best I've ever had my levels set.  I was using MT firmware version 1.2.3 from
UA-5.  I used the fast update peak indicator on the meter to get the levels as hot as I could
and it worked well.  The UA-5 peak light seemed to light at appropriate times when compared
to the levels on MT.  The MT meters were stable for the entire 3 hour show.  One other note,
the SP/DIF signal was 16bit/44.1khz.

[aberg]

So that then begs the question... what's a better setup?

bm2p+mod UA-5 > digital-coax > MT2496

vs.

MP-2 > analog 1/8" > Edirol R-1

[Bdifr78]

Everyone just get a V3 and be done with reading the meters off your recorder.   Oh yeah, and have all your recording sound better.

[timP]

sorry to bump such an old post, but I am having trouble finding what I am looking for using the search function.... this is as close as I've come to finding:


Anyone have a link to the r-1 db strip like the one above for the microtrack that was posted years ago?


picking up one to use for awhile until I save up some more $ and a db scale to use with it would be great

thanks for any leads
tim

[sleepypedro]

it's actually on roland's website buried in the knowledgebase

The Level Indicator dB Scale
Knowledge Base ID: 103722
Product: R-1

---------+---------------------
Number
of boxes Range
---------+---------------------
Nothing -infinite to -50.0
1 -50.0 to -40.0
2 -40.0 to -36.0
3 -36.0 to -33.0
4 -33.0 to -30.0
5 -30.0 to -27.0
6 -27.0 to -24.0
7 -24.0 to -21.0
8 -21.0 to -18.0
9 -18.0 to -15.0
10 -15.0 to -12.0
11 -12.0 to - 9.0
12 - 9.0 to - 6.0
13 - 6.0 to - 3.0
14 - 3.0 to 0.0
15 0.0 to Clip