Topic: first time m1 user with a question

[drjay]

ok i hope someone can answer a couple questions. i have a sony m1 with core sound mics .going to tape a concert . how should i set the m1 48 khz 0r 44.1? . will this affect length of recording?i  have sony d90 blanks  and need about three hours of recording time.i probably cant change tape midstream.second question-the mikes have bass roll off will be tacked to my shirt do i set the dat for the -20 cut as well?any thoughts?thanks

[Sean Gallemore]

considering that you seem new to DAT (no offense, I hope), I recommend you go with 44.1, so you don't have to down sample later.  3 hour tape should be fine, Unless you expect more?  I wouldn't use the line attenuator because you aren't running an external pre.  Good luck!

[drjay]

ok 44.1 it is and yes new to dat.and set the mic att at 0 db??how about levels on this ,where should they appear on the display?or should i use the auto level vs  set manually?thanks for the quick reply

[Sean Gallemore]

I don't have one in fron tof me, but, yes, set the mic attn to 0, levels to manual.  The levels should be pushing zero (on the scale from -50 to 0) but rarely hit overs (the longer bar at the right end side)

[drjay]

thanks for your answers .most helpful.j

[Sean Gallemore]

thanks for your answers .most helpful.j

no prob, drj
and come back and let us know how it went.  If I gave you bad advice, don't be afraid to come back and let me have it

[drjay]

well i have two shots at it  maybe a third . ill let you know .  my next round of questions will hopefully be on mastering  to cd.

[seethreepo]

in my opinion you should
allways record with the best sample rate you can convert later.  you may regret the lower rate later and you cant  upsample . (well you can but its a bad idea and afaik useless unless its from 32 - 44.1)

ymmv

[sleepypedro]

the -20 attenuation only comes into play if you're using MIC IN.

and that's a very important point -- if you're doing a rock show, 99% of the time you'll want to be using LINE IN.

[drjay]

ok now im confused i want to use line in even if im using stealth mics?

[drjay]

yes- they have a battery box. ok so i go line in at 44.1.and tape the switches thanks for the help.

[jbraveman]

If the show is really loud then set the m1 to LINE IN.
If the show is in between use the MIC In with the limiter ON.
If the show is quiet acoustic music then use the MIC in with the limiter OFF.

The core sound battery box does not provide any amplification.  You can easily overload and distort the preamp in the M1.  Therefore use the above suggestions as a guide.  Try all the settings out at home in front of the streo before going to the show. 

48 and 44.1 are the same speed basically.  The 32 khz setting or long play will increase the time of the recording but decrease the quality.
If you bought the M1 used make sure the rechargeables still work or use other fresh batteries.

Good luck.

[drjay]

whicih limiter the 0db 20 db switch or the one on the microphone battery box?

[Sean Gallemore]

whicih limiter the 0db 20 db switch or the one on the microphone battery box?

the one on the DAT

[drjay]

hypothetically-if the concert  (not heavy metal but bass heavy funk)was in an arena of say 15000,and im inthe first five rows would you use the line in or the mic setting?

[Sean Gallemore]

I would use line, personally

[drjay]

thanks everyone for answering.i appreciate the help.

[drjay]

one more question- if the rec levels seem low  i.e not near zero on the meter should i switch from line in to mic in?

[nickgregory]

no because even if the levels look fine you can overload the mic preamp...distorting the tape. if you are doing rock shows, I would never use the mic preamp...will definitely cause brickwalling..go line in

[drjay]

ok thanks very much . got to practice walking with the gear hidden.

[drjay]

success. despite the levels being a bit low and the bass still very strong a nice recording of the npg.only real problem ran out of tape before the encore.this would have been preveted by not taping the opening act. damn.ok any way to boost levels in when using the line in mode?

[taperkat]

motherfucker, just checked my m1 and it's set to lp

that's so gonna fuck up any recordings i've done if they were set at that huh. I know i switched that fucker to 48 though.

*tapes down*

[sleepypedro]

live and learn!

[taperkat]

i think it just got switched after being in my bag.

taped down, securely, listening to tape now.
and drunk
woot

[drjay]

ok the first night my nut sack turned the damn thing on and i missed the encores. but 9-10 and 9-11 perfect line in is the way. ok how do i go from m-1 to cd easiest way?

[leegeddy]

ok the first night my nut sack turned the damn thing on and i missed the encores. but 9-10 and 9-11 perfect line in is the way. ok how do i go from m-1 to cd easiest way?

a small suggestion... use the "HOLD" slide switch. it will be your best friend. engage it as soon as you get out of your car and heading towards the venue and disengage it only to start the recording and re-engage it during recording.  the HOLD switch disables EVERY function of the M1 except for the level dial (which should be taped down as someone mentioned).  once you've got your level set, tape it down and just put the deck away and try not to check levels too much.

as for going from DAT > cdr, the best way is to use a 7pin cable for a digital output (s/pdif) from your deck and > (either a sound card or a standalone cd recorder).

marc

[drjay]

what sound card is best .and what programs are recommended that are easy to use?