Topic: Mic/DAT Help

[Md2545]

I need some advice. I've been stealth recording since Jan. I use Core-Sound Binaurals and I upgraded to a Sony D100 in June. All the shows I have recorded with the DAT seem really loud and in some spots distorted. I've made some mistakes but learned from them like using auto level, I still haven't gotten the best sound though. I try and keep the max at 12dB but even that seems to be a bit much. The mics seem too sensitive. Is there anything that I can do to decrease the sensitivity without decreasing the volume? I recorded a show the other day and I thought about the high levels but so I kept them low and when I listened to it it sounded way to low. What should I set my dial at? I know each venue differs though. Anybody have anything to comment on this. Should I use Line In? I have the mic set to 20dB. I'm going to try tomarrow with line in and bass filter on. I've got some BIG concerts coming up that cannot be screwed up so I would like any advise I can get.

Cheers,
Matt

[Kyle]

I have never used the CSBs, but running your levels up to 0db will maximize your resolution. Try line in, or maybe an inline attenuator to reduce the load on the micpre. If your are hearing distortion, it is probably the micpre in the d100 - although never having used the CSBs I know nothing about them - maybe they can't handle the high spls?

[sleepypedro]

are you running with the mics plugged into 'mic in' or 'line in' ?

i'd venture to guess you're going 'mic in', which you shouldn't be doing.  'line in' for rock shows is the rule of thumb -- i only ever used 'mic in' for spoken word, string quartets, etc.

[Teen Age Riot]

Former CSB user here. The mics can take *really* high SPLs, no need to worry about that. I never overloaded them, even in ridiculously loud settings (i.e. head-in-stack at festivals). I always went straight into the line-in of either my SBM1 or the D100. Never had any distortion/brickwalling problems.

Keep in mind though that the bass roll-off doesn't work if you go line-in. It's an impedance thing. If necessary, you'll have to cut out some low-end in post.

[sullen]

i use m1(same as your d100) + csb,

running them mic-in is the cause of all this.

run them line-in and set the att to 0db and youll be fine.

[Teen Age Riot]

i use m1(same as your d100) + csb,

running them mic-in is the cause of all this.

run them line-in and set the att to 0db and youll be fine.

Yes, but it doesn't matter whether you set "mic att" to 0 or -20 if you're going line-in. That switch is for the mic-in only.