Topic: First time out w. an Iriver h120, suggestions needed

[JTL]

Hi
I have just aquired an Iriver H120, and plan to test it tomorrow night, the only problem is that it will be stealth, and I won't have very much time to play around with it (the Iriver that is) before the show, so my question is:

How should I set my levels to begin with??

Bonus info:
It will be a rock show in a midsized venue
I will be using AGC Safety (clip)
I'll be running Core Sound Cardioids and a battery box (Flat response)

Any hints or directions would be greatly appreciated!

[todd e]

good luck to you. 
throw a piece of tape on the back of the deck for any surprises or emergencies

[JTL]

good luck to you. 
throw a piece of tape on the back of the deck for any surprises or emergencies

A piece of tape??   

[dorrcoq]

leave the AGC off

[Humbug]

How should I set my levels to begin with??

Leave them at zero; chances are they won't overload. Always better too quiet than overloading.

If it's too quiet, you'll know how much you can increase the gain next time you tape in that venue. The rest will come with time.

[firmdragon]

leave the AGC off

please explain.  i was under the impression that w/ saftey, it won't get engaged unless you're clipping.  and if and when it does all it does it bring your levels down a notch and then disengages. why wouldn't you want this feature on.

[dorrcoq]

leave the AGC off

please explain.  i was under the impression that w/ saftey, it won't get engaged unless you're clipping.  and if and when it does all it does it bring your levels down a notch and then disengages. why wouldn't you want this feature on.

I don't know about the iRiver specifically, but here is one discussion about the AGC on the Edirol R-09 (use the search for other AGC discussions).  Especially look at Chris Church's comment in this thread.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=74620.0

I think the Edirol manual says it is best used for lectures, etc.  It isn't suggeested for loud music, and from what I've read it is basically useless for our prurposes.

[George]

This is what I do to prepare with my H320 (may have slightly different features than the H100 series):

Click Recording/Recording Settings:

Format: wave
Frequency: 44.1
Source: Line in
Channels: Stereo
File Split Options: Split Filesize: 1.75GB
Prerecord time: 30 seconds
Show recording screen on startup: Yes
Clipping Light: Off
AGC: Off

Do you have any gain on that bbox?  If not...set the gain up to 10db...I typically have to set the gain up to 20db in a large venue for rock bands with my at853's and church bbox (no preamp) to get loud levels.  Honestly, if security is not on top of you, don't feel too spooked about checking levels at the beginning.  Set your levels and turn the hold feature on and leave it alone.  By the way, when turning the gain up, make sure your doing it equally to both channels (both need to be selected).

edit:  make sure to test the unit a bit before going out.  I always test it to make sure everything works.

[knoxmallette]

I'm with gloco re: gain settings. I typically start @ 10 and have to move to 18 - 22 to get the levels I'm after. I also turn the AGC and clip light off. I've never been in a venue where I could not adjust the levels (or check them throughout the show). Set your levels slide the hold switch on and have fun- you will really enjoy the iRiver.

[petur]

oh please!

The rockbox AGC in safety mode is NOT a real AGC. It wil only lower gain if you encounter clipping. That doesn't mean you should be running as hot as possible and let AGC get the levels ok. It means you set the levels fair, but in case the spl is higher than anticipated, you won't end up with a compete distoreted recording.

I usually set gain on ny h340 at 10 because here in Europe, spl isn't as regulated as elsewhere so there's always a chance the show will be louder than last time.

I'm also against AGC, but the safety feature is just great for stealth recording: set and forget and enjoy the show. No more peeking at peaks
And if you don't want single peaks to activate it, just set the time constant higher.

I'm sure all the posters here that are against the rockbox AGC safety have never seen it or tried it.

[JTL]

Thanks you all so much for your replys, unfortunately I didn't get to read 'em before I had to go for the first show.

Anyway, I managed to record no less than 5 shows during the weekend, so I got to play around with the levels quite alot!

The shows ranged from a very quiet singer/songwriter set (almost unamplified) in a café, to a loud symphonic Rock show in a big crowded venue, the final test will be a Napalm Death show early next year 

Thanks again for your response!

[Arni99]

Yes, rockbox´s AGC-safety-clip rules!

I always start at +20dB internal gain(set as max. gain to avoid noise of the internal preamp) at the venue´s  toilet where i get the iriver out of my pants HAHA!

I record in WAVPACK(lossless format =>WAV 16 bit) and it takes 4h55min until 2GB are reached and a new file begins.

I use the sennheiser mm-hlsc-2 or the sp-cmc-8 cardioid mics with a 9v batterybox.

Usually the level goes down to +9db or +18dB depending on the venue and the sound pressure level.

As petur said before, it´s only decreasing but NEVER boosting levels and thats exactly what we all do when setting levels manually.

You shouldn´t go over +20dB internal gain to avoid the internal preamps digitals noise which occures considerably at a gain above +20dB.

For the case of recording silent sounds use an external preamp of microphone madness, chris church or soundprofessionals which have less noise than the internal preamp.

Never again manual checking of levels .

good luck
Arni

[whatboutbob]

'nother vote here for the AGC safety for stealth situations. You can just set it and forget it.

I run at853 > church audio 3wbb/pre > iriver h120.  I set the church pre gain depending on anticipated loudness of the show - and then also always add 10dB w/ the iriver - so if need be the 'agc' has something to decrease.  Using this method I never have to look @ the levels and have never noticed a drop in gain.

[cgrooves]

Is the AGC committed to the current daily builds?

I'm still using an old build that doesn't have AGC, but since I don't stealth (once in two years) I've never had the desire to try it anyway.