I'm getting ready to tape my second show ever, and I've got a question about setting levels. Since I'm using a R-09HR, I thought I'd ask it here to get gear specific answers. Hope that's OK.
Rest of gear:
mics: SP-CMC-22 (cardioids)
batt box: SP-SPSB-9 (with an in-line level control)
What I'm concerned about is this: when testing, I can't seem to do anything to get the thing to peak. My understanding is that I want to get things set just under peak and use that. Now maybe, with home audio equipment, as opposed to live concert, it won't ever be loud enough, but that's why I'm asking. Here's what I've tried:
1) the one show I recorded was an opera. I was in the first row, 10 feet from orchestra. With batt box line in at max and recorder at max, the level indicators were going up to about the 40 mark (is that -40dB?)
2)Testing at home, playing Keb Mo on my computer, with Bose speakers turned to their max volume, mics about 3 ft away, batt box level at max, same with edirol:
a) batt box, mic in: levels reach about 30-25
b) batt box, line in: levels reach about 35-30
c) no batt box, mic in, plug-in power on: levels reach about 12
Listening back with headphones on the edirol, the last one sounded the best.
So my question is this: is this normal? It seems odd to me that I'd need to set the Edirol at max (80) to basically recorder anything that is of sort of normal volume. Since I bought it to record loud shows and since boosting is always possible, I'm not terribly concerned. But I do want to understand my equipment and process, and, especially, find out if there's something I'm doing wrong.
Oh, all the back of the recorder buttons were off, except when I used the plug-in power mentioned above.
Thanks for any insights, advice, etc. Don't know how I'd function without this place.
Stay cool. A live concert will always be much, much, much louder than you home stereo.
Your opera recording is the one that really makes me think. With everything at max volume ( bb and recorder) you should be able to reach peaking levels easily. Are you using fresh batteries on your bb? I've had serious problems with bad batteries. No, it's not normal to use your R-09HR at maximum recording levels, unless you're taping a bunch of ants chatting.
BTW, never leave you plug in power buttom ON when you're not running Mic In. It takes like 6 db from your recorder levels ( so I'm told)
Another thing. If you run 24 bit/48 or 88 or 96, you don't need to set things just under peak, to use your words. What for? The only thing you can have doing so is clipping due no unexpected loud sounds.
That's the beauty of 24 bit recording: set you levels to peak at -12db to -6db and you're golden. There will be enough headroom, so no surprises, no clipping. All you have to do is add gain using your favorite software back home.
Hope that helps. Good luck and good recording.
Topic: Edirol R-09HR - Part TWO (Read 114191 times)