line in recording level

[bobcat]

 .. ..

[bobcat]

 ah it cuts me off! ok i want to know what manual recording level is best for the cardiods i use!!! im assuming the higher i go the better..ive tested it out with these other mics i had but what do u think is safe?? thanks..

[Brian Skalinder]

You want your levels to approach - but never reach - zero.

[Brian Skalinder]

Try this:

Stick the mics in your mouth and hum as loud as you can. (Yes, really.) If you record that and it hits the rails, you are set too hot on your levels and need to back off.  That's about the same sound pressure level that you'll get at a loud metal show.

[fuzn]

Run it at a normal rate, which you will find later. Then dial it on the loudest song, then you are set. Basically give yourself enough headroom under 0 so you don't have to worry the whole show. You can still bump it up in post if it's too quiet, but if you clip, you are screwed. Keep that in mind! Set it on the loudest song while giving yourself some room before you'd hit 0, and enjoy the show.

If you move it around every song, it will be a bitch to fix afterwards.