Topic: SP Mics>SP-Preamp>R09 settings???

[The Other Chris]

Have SP-CMC4's that I'm running into a newly acquired SP-Preamp (0db, 29db & 50db settings)>R09 at U2 this weekend & looking for suggestions on levels. 
Says to set the recording level on the recorder to "maximum" & adjust levels on the pre from there.  True?
Also curious about the gain setting, suggests 0db for loud recordings, 29db for "moderately loud".   Suggestions? 
Any help is welcomed, my first stadium show since....Dead Vegas 94'? 

[Belexes]

Set the gain on the deck at unity and get the gain structure from your pre-amp.  The louder the performance, the less gain on the pre.

[The Other Chris]

Unity?   I that Rick James shit?   
 
thanks!

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Unity gain is the level setting on a recording device where you aren't adding gain or attenuating the signal into the device.  If you have the original R-09 (NOT the R-09HR), I believe unity gain level is 13.  I've read, however, that you can go down to 8 or 9 before the R-09 brickwalls (read: distorts the incoming signal).

I don't remember U2 being terribly loud and, assuming it's an outdoor stadium, the sound probably won't be too intense.  Since the gain on the SP pre is only switchable as opposed to having an adjustable pot/slider, I'd suggest unity + the 29dB setting and see how that works for you during the opening band and adjust accordingly; ideally, you'd like the pre to do most of the heavy lifting as, in theory, the SP pre should be quieter than the R-09's pre.  Keep in mind that U2 will probably be mixed a little louder than the opener.

[F.O.Bean]

Well said ^^^^

I would agree as in saying to start the R09 at a low level, and adjusting the gain on the pre. A preamps gain is usually "cleaner" than that of a cheap handheld recorder, unless youre talking about a Sound Devices 702/722/744/788, like I have Start at +29db and see what happens. If it were me, and recording in the "sweet Spot" as I always do, at loud shows, +29db would probably overload/brickwall the Preamp, or R09 Who knows tho......Just try it out and report back here with the results

[F.O.Bean]

Set it up within inches of your home speakers and see what happens

[rhinowing]

Unity gain is the level setting on a recording device where you aren't adding gain or attenuating the signal into the device.  If you have the original R-09 (NOT the R-09HR), I believe unity gain level is 13.  I've read, however, that you can go down to 8 or 9 before the R-09 brickwalls (read: distorts the incoming signal).

I don't remember U2 being terribly loud and, assuming it's an outdoor stadium, the sound probably won't be too intense.  Since the gain on the SP pre is only switchable as opposed to having an adjustable pot/slider, I'd suggest unity + the 29dB setting and see how that works for you during the opening band and adjust accordingly; ideally, you'd like the pre to do most of the heavy lifting as, in theory, the SP pre should be quieter than the R-09's pre.  Keep in mind that U2 will probably be mixed a little louder than the opener.

you can go down to 8 on an original R-09 before you start brickwalling