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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: prof_peabody on November 26, 2005, 02:23:10 PM

Title: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: prof_peabody on November 26, 2005, 02:23:10 PM
I've taped a few shows now on my M1 and I'm looking for a few pointers (I've dug through the search results a bit already).  I've been metering so that the during average music the levels are always above -12, but usually at -6 to -4.  There is rarely if ever clipping.  Am I in the sweet spot, or should I push it a bit and run hotter?

Thanks
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: jbraveman on November 27, 2005, 05:28:16 PM
I've taped a few shows now on my M1 and I'm looking for a few pointers (I've dug through the search results a bit already).  I've been metering so that the during average music the levels are always above -12, but usually at -6 to -4.  There is rarely if ever clipping.  Am I in the sweet spot, or should I push it a bit and run hotter?

Thanks

-12 is a good place to shoot for.  You can always add gain afterwards, but it's near impossible to fix clipping.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: svenkid on November 27, 2005, 06:41:00 PM
for analog patching, I always run my levels low bc I can add gain later.
best solution, is to run digital y0!
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: prof_peabody on November 27, 2005, 10:11:26 PM
for analog patching, I always run my levels low bc I can add gain later.
best solution, is to run digital y0!

True enough.  I guess there is a balance between safe levels and recording depth.  +Ts
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: udovdh on November 28, 2005, 12:54:33 AM
Less than 6 dB of margin (-6 dB to 0dBFS) over a full show is nice. If you're there leave it at that.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: marc0789 on November 28, 2005, 03:55:37 PM
don't be a wuss. push it a little. you're def. losing some bit depth if you wind up at mostly -12 with peaks up to -6. shoot for -3 or -2. you may be able to add volume later, but not resolution.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: Teen Age Riot on November 28, 2005, 04:00:07 PM
Exactely. Normally, you can even go over 0 if it's just for short peaks.

I miss GBV. Awesome avatar.

don't be a wuss. push it a little. you're def. losing some bit depth if you wind up at mostly -12 with peaks up to -6. shoot for -3 or -2. you may be able to add volume later, but not resolution.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: prof_peabody on November 28, 2005, 04:17:26 PM
don't be a wuss. push it a little. you're def. losing some bit depth if you wind up at mostly -12 with peaks up to -6. shoot for -3 or -2. you may be able to add volume later, but not resolution.

Sorry, guess I wasn't clear...  Average is between -12 and -6 with peaks hitting -1.  Guess I'll push it a bit more in the future though.  +T
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: Brian Skalinder on November 28, 2005, 04:21:37 PM
Sorry, guess I wasn't clear...  Average is between -12 and -6 with peaks hitting -1.  Guess I'll push it a bit more in the future though.  +T

FWIW, that sounds just right to me.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: marc0789 on November 28, 2005, 04:56:43 PM
don't be a wuss. push it a little. you're def. losing some bit depth if you wind up at mostly -12 with peaks up to -6. shoot for -3 or -2. you may be able to add volume later, but not resolution.

Sorry, guess I wasn't clear...  Average is between -12 and -6 with peaks hitting -1.  Guess I'll push it a bit more in the future though.  +T

oh yeah, that's fine. nothing you can do to avoid the low stuff when it's quiet.
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: prof_peabody on November 28, 2005, 05:28:45 PM
Thanks... now I can focus on my move to phantom :veryevil:
Title: Re: seeking sony M1 levels / meter advice
Post by: svenkid on November 28, 2005, 09:33:14 PM
I used to run the m1 in the +3-5 range y0!