Topic: I have to crank it to hear it.

[rasta]

I run Peluso cards strait into a 722 at 24 bits.  I set my gain to about –3 dbs.  I haven’t altered any of my raw poly files.  I listen strait out of my 722 into my stereo receiver until I find some software to use.  I tape mostly at the 9:30 club in DC about 30 feet (+/-) back and just left of SBD.

My recordings sound so distant.   I need to turn the vol. up to really hear everything.  What am I doing wrong?  I’ve tried diff mic configurations (XY, ORTF, pointed just outside the stacks).   Even when I BT live shows I hear similar problems in my car and at home.  What makes recordings from a PA sound quiet if a show sounds great live?   Why doesn’t the recording sound just as good?  Is there something in postproduction that helps? 

[JasonSobel]

if you're setting your levels to peak round -3dB, then the recording is probably fine.
how are you connecting the 722 to your stereo?

[cyfan]

You could always boost the gain with a wav editing program, such as Cool Edit Pro, Soundforge, etc.
Ideally you don't want to have to bump it up that much post because it will introduce noise.

[Brian Skalinder]

You could always boost the gain with a wav editing program, such as Cool Edit Pro, Soundforge, etc.

If levels are already peaking at - 3 dBFS, not much room for boosting in post.

Could be an issue with the 722 not delivering as hot a signal as the receiver requires.  But that would only account for recordings played back from the 722.  Do you also play back BT'd recordings via the 722?  And if not, how do you play them back?

Edit to add:  live recordings typically have broader dynamic range than studio releases, and so include far more quiet parts.  Studio releases are often compressed ad nauseum so every note of every song sounds LOUD.

And...what requirements are you looking for in software?  For playback or post production?  There are good freeware options for both.

[cyfan]

You could always boost the gain with a wav editing program, such as Cool Edit Pro, Soundforge, etc.

If levels are already peaking at - 3 dBFS, not much room for boosting in post.

OK. Then hard limit that sucker.

[rasta]

JasonSobel, I connect the 722 tape out to RCA L and R.

Cyfan,… exactly, I don’t want to introduce noise.
 
Brian Skalinder…I ran 722 tape out >  naim Nait 5 integrated amp >  Spendor S6e floor standing speakers and still had the same result.  As far as the BT I’m the having same problems that were played back on the system listed above.  I’m a MAC user and have had problems finding info/software to use/download.  I read the team boards but I am fairly computer illiterate.

Moke, I’m tape out from the 722.

[BC]

Might want to try the 722  headphone out to the stereo?

Do the recordings still sound distant (the same way) over headphones?

[BC]

 Even when I BT live shows I hear similar problems in my car and at home.  What makes recordings from a PA sound quiet if a show sounds great live?   Why doesn’t the recording sound just as good?  Is there something in postproduction that helps? 

Are you talking about other people's recordings, not just your own? Audience recordings will always have some "room-iness" that can take some getting accustomed to. Definitely a different animal if you are accustomed to studio recordings and professional releases.

[guysonic]

The term 'distant sounding' is not very descriptive of actual audio quality in that levels that are very low can sound 'distant,' and sound that is NOT low, but recorded too far back in the hall can sound distant from room reflections being louder that direct speaker sounds. 

Also, as maybe already mentioned, live recorded pop/rock venue sound has very up front 'over-the-top-bass' that most playback systems cannot reproduce at sufficient levels to allow mid and high frequency sounds to be heard at relative normal loudness experienced at the venue, so <120 cycle bass energy needs be reduced for playback over most speaker systems, but is usually OK as-is for headphone listening. 

Without reducing the low bass sufficiently for speaker playback, you will not be able to turn up the overall loudness enough before the amp/speakers bass distort leaving the mids-highs sounding distant?

[shaggy]

I have noticed this problem from recordings made from the 'section' at the 9:30 Club.  I personally think it is the distance and the 'roominess' of that venue is a big part of the overall signal that ends up on the recording.  Maybe hypers in a tighter config will remedy the problem.

As Guy pointed out, on a nicer stereo playback system, you are going to hear that 'roominess' even more...