Topic: n00b in need of some help

[maidencolorado]

OK, here's the background.  I got an Edirol R-09, checked it out and everything seemed to work properly (inputs), so off to a show and a weekend away from the kids (so we're in a hotel).  Before the show, I give my gear another test run, find that the mic in doesn't work.  I know about the fix, but can't do it (since I'm in that hotel), so I run with the internal mics.  This being my first go with the new recorder, I did what I could, but feel I messed up the settings.

This is what I ran:

24/48
AGC: OFF
Low Cut: OFF
Mic Gain: HIGH

I monitered the levels early on, started at 8, worked down to 4.  Got back to the room, checked it out and, surprisingly, it sounded pretty good at first.  Then I get to the second half of the show, and there is a lot of clipping (some during the first half, but not much and far between). 

Anyway, I've got the input situation square, everything working properly now.  However, this is one of the first shows I've taped, and the first I've ever tried to do anything with after.  That being said, I have no experience whatsoever at mastering.  Is there anything that can be done to reduce the effects of the clipping?  The programs I currently have are Audacity and Sound Forge 8.0

Thanks in advance

[cgrooves]

I don't think there is anything you can do to salvage a clipped recording.  It is better to run your levels low and boost in post than it is to run your levels hot and clip.  You can easily remedy the former, but not the latter.  Just chalk this experience up as a lesson learned the hard way.  If you tape long enough, you will end up with a list of such lessons 

[maidencolorado]

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of (but expecting all the same).  Shame as the first half turned out well.  Oh well, always next year...

[itook2much]

Was the 2nd part of the set actually louder than the 1st?

If you worked down from 8 to 4, & the 1st half sounds good, and you didn't raise the levels later, I don't see how the later part would have clipped but not the first...

...unless you moved closer to the sound source, or the show became much louder at some point.

 

[maidencolorado]

Was the 2nd part of the set actually louder than the 1st?

If you worked down from 8 to 4, & the 1st half sounds good, and you didn't raise the levels later, I don't see how the later part would have clipped but not the first...

...unless you moved closer to the sound source, or the show became much louder at some point.

 

Yes, the second half was louder.  The show was Trans Siberian Orchestra, the second half of the show is always louder than the first.  Should have checked my levels again, another lesson learned