Topic: Setting levels (pre-show)

[ChoobieWoobie]

I've been taping for a while now, and I've never figured this out.  It always seems that whenever the show starts, the other tapers are confident with their levels, and i'm stuck fiddling with the levels til' halfway thru the first song.  What am I doing wrong?  I'd like to have completely flawless recordings, not almost flawless.  

[Brian]

lots of times the tapers who are confident with their levels have either A) there for soundcheck B) taped that venue before with their current rig and no exactly where to set the levels. or C) record at a conservative rate and adjust levels later.

the more record with your rig at the same venues, the more comfortable you get leaving you with less time to fiddle with levels and more time to get down to the music!

[greenone]

Yup - Brian's pretty much hit it. Especially if you're always taping the same kind of music (always acoustic, or always hard rock) the levels will generally be in a range...for rock shows, I'll probably run at +25 or +30 on my V2. For quieter jazzier stuff, +35 or +40 will do. There's always SOME tweaking you can do, but some may think that it's best to set and forget so you don't hear fluctuations all throughout the recording...

[Humbug]

I've found its impossible to clip using my (stealth) setup:

SPCMC2>SPSPSB1>Nomad JB3

Even stood right at the edge of the stage at a Quireboys gig (they play incredibly loud), I'm never going over 80%.

I prefer to boost the levels later on for the quieter stuff I record.

I never use gain on the Nomad - no point is there?

[JAH]

Start making mental or physical notes on what your setting were (and the band/venue) when you get them to where you want and you'll see a fine tuning is about all you'll need if the venue is predictable....me I set at a basic start and do a quick fine tune on maximizing the levels w/ about anywhere from 6 to 1 dB left (weather dependant, cause I'm not messing w/ it in the rain...go for the lower level in that case) .  The more you maximize your levels, the more of the bits on the ADC you are using.....you think you are recording 16 bits but that is only if you get that last bit to toggle and it lives at or near zero.  That is why higher bit resolution systems sound better ccause you are using more of the bits at hand...IYKWIM???  I think it is 6dB of dynamic range per BIT.
All this being said it also depends on the sound engineer and if that person turns it up as the show goes on....or down (do they ever turn it down     ).  And finally the bass is the most driving part that can be set as your steady state level.

hope this helps
jah

[LeftoverSammy]

This is an interesting thread. I keep running into what Jah said. I set my levels (to about -9db peak) and maybe watch it for a tune or two then leave alone. Many times when I come back for a peak at the levels the sound engr. has cranked the gain up to the point I am on the ragged edge. I can even hear during the show (while away from my rig) if the sound is kicking up or not. I usually go back and check & readjust as required when it does. With some bands it can take several  adjustments until I am happy with my levels. Am I over doing it here???

I think part of it is that I like to watch my levels sometimes on the V3 (my buddy calls me Capt. VU meter) and enjoy seeing how the music reacts with the level meters. I guess I just need to slap myself and leave well enough alone. I usually however I end up with a very nice recording with no audiable adjustments (I am VERY smooth and gradual with my adjustments).

Should I just set on the low side to potentially accomodate increases in volume gain if the sound engr. decides to crank it up?? Or should I just stick with my current method??   

Peace,
LoS

[Brian Skalinder]

Should I just set on the low side to potentially accomodate increases in volume gain if the sound engr. decides to crank it up?? Or should I just stick with my current method??   

You should do whatever works for you.  I generally set my levels pretty hot and keep an eye on them the whole show - which often entails minor, very gradual adjustments over the course of the show as the sound engineers cranks things up (as they are wont to do as the set goes on).

[marc0789]

if I'm not hitting -2 to -1 consistently, with occasional zeroes, I'm not happy. takes some practice.

[Brian]

if I'm not hitting -2 to -1 consistently, with occasional zeroes, I'm not happy. takes some practice.

yep always run as hot as possible, especially at 16bit!!!!!!

[George]

I usually set the levels off of my M1 to 5 and see how it sounds from there, usually tweaking it to 5.5 or 6 at a loud concert.

[Sean Gallemore]

recording Live DJs can be a pain in the ass.  Some don't play all their tracks full blast, or the records were cut differently etc. and the levels are constantly changing.  Fun times though

[John R]

also, what hasn't been mentioned is, most of us will take the hit during the first song, and change levels between songs, unless you have trim pots(v3) or non-stepped gain knobs.  start your rig at 50-60% gain until you get really used to it.

jr

[JAH]

if I'm not hitting -2 to -1 consistently, with occasional zeroes, I'm not happy. takes some practice.

makes me the happiest too... but if the weather is bad I'll settle for a lower recording hence the -6 to -1 range.

rock on
jah