I'll check with Doug but I've read here that it's been recommened to run the -20dB Pad on louder sources to get a chance to run the box in the higher gain stages.
The first reason that this could be recommended that I know of (please keep in mind that at this time I'm only going by what I've seen here). Many record level knobs on electronic gear are not acutally gain controllers they are actually a variable resistor or attenuator, at the the lower levels of the gain wheel represent the thickest areas of of this attenuation. Therefore wide open would be nothing in the signal path and the lower numbers the most of the resistor that is "in the way" of the signal. Therefore it's cleaner at the higher gain stages. On some sytems you don't get the coloration of the particular gear that is it's trademarkl (see tubes for reference) unless the gear is really being pushed gain wise... I would be less likeley to believe that is the case here.
This is all conjecture and hearsay at this point until I or you learn more.
The reality is that Paying attention to Mic Placement and configuration matter much more so until it's really tested find the way that runs with your setup the best and stick with it until you're really ready to "fine tune" the system.
pmonk is yours modified?!?
With a +4dB overload limit on the ACM I would be shocked to see any microphone recording overload the box. I think running the -20dB pad was for running the box at a higer level on the record wheel. If it's a simple variable resistor this makes sense as you would have less effect (coloration) of that circuit at the higer points on the wheel. I would simply test to see if there's any noise intorduced by the pad with a non-input if not I can understand the recommendation.
I can't wait to get mine...
I'm confused. Are there situations where you would want to run the pad so you can turn the record level up? I'm asking because I don't really understand. I was under the impression that you use the pad if you have to but if you don't need it don't use it. Can anyone clarify this for me?
thanks
Paul