Recording a 4X12 & non-stop clipping

[B.C.Johnson]

I know I can't be this stupid, but I get nothing but clipping when I try to record my 4X12 cabinet. I'm using a 57 and an M-Audio 1010LE, and while I'm playing at moderate volumes, and the input level is at the lowest increment above zero, I still get clipping. Even when I pull the mic a few feet away from the cab, and I still get clipping. Do I need a compressor/limiter?

[Massive Master]

You've got a gain-staging problem somewhere... The preamp gain isn't going down.

[B.C.Johnson]

Okay, but when you hear about amps being 'cranked' for recording like amps like plexis other non-master volumes and such, is other equipment vital to get an acceptable sound onto tape? My amp is no where near 'cranked' by the way,

[David Katauskas]

Describe your entire signal chain...everything. For example, are you running a line into your soundcard's mic-in?

[B.C.Johnson]

Originally Posted by David Katauskas

Describe your entire signal chain...everything. For example, are you running a line into your soundcard's mic-in?

You asked for it.

\/ my [pathetic] brain
\/ a few axons, dendrites, and other neural brik a brak
\/ my arm (21")
\/ my hand (approximately 5 fingers, 7" long)
\/ pick (dunlop tortex .88)
\/ Jackson RR-1 (GHS Boomers 10-46)
\/ Bill Lawrence 500-XL humbucker
\/ Planet Waves 12' instrument cable
\/ Voodoo Amps hotrodded Marshall JMP 2203
\/ Planet Waves 6' speaker cable
\/ Marshall JCM900 1960a 4X12
\/ Shure SM57
\/ 12' Planet Waves mic cable (I guess I'm a fan of the planet waves)
\/ M-Audio Delta 1010LT
\/ Nuendo 2.0

Yep, no fancy schmancy mic pre, no nothing. From what I understand, the 1010LT has built in pres for the xlr inputs, although they are not praiseworthy.

[NL5]

Originally Posted by B.C.Johnson

I know I can't be this stupid, but I get nothing but clipping when I try to record my 4X12 cabinet. I'm using a 57 and an M-Audio 1010LE, and while I'm playing at moderate volumes, and the input level is at the lowest increment above zero, I still get clipping. Even when I pull the mic a few feet away from the cab, and I still get clipping. Do I need a compressor/limiter?

When you say "the input level" - input level on what?

[B.C.Johnson]

Originally Posted by NL5

When you say "the input level" - input level on what?

Sorry. There's a fader on the M-Audio control program. I'm talking about that, not the spl from the amp.

[NL5]

Originally Posted by B.C.Johnson

Sorry. There's a fader on the M-Audio control program. I'm talking about that, not the spl from the amp.

That what I thought - I suspect your fader is adjusting the track level, not the gain. You need to find the gain control.

[bcains]

In the hardware setup tab of the Delta1010 control panel there is a button in the bottom RH corner that says "sliders".
Click that and the 8 sliders for the input levels pop up.

Usually i hear about how low the levels are, when using the onboard pres in the Delta 1010LT.

Good Luck with recording.

[B.C.Johnson]

Originally Posted by bcains

In the hardware setup tab of the Delta1010 control panel there is a button in the bottom RH corner that says "sliders".
Click that and the 8 sliders for the input levels pop up.

Usually i hear about how low the levels are, when using the onboard pres in the Delta 1010LT.

Good Luck with recording.

Yep, those are the sliders I've got turned nearly all the way down.

[bcains]

Ok, well if you go into the control panel again, it allows you to configure the signal level,
what have you set that to? +4Dbu, -4Dbu or -10
The +4DBu will let you accept or output a hotter signal.

This all should be in the manual. Have you tried a search on this,
there might be another thread similar to this
Another suggestion maybe, to purchase a mixer, or preamp.

[B.C.Johnson]

Okay. I've decided to resurrect this thread because I took another stab at recording the cab (after a long period of getting frustrated with the subpar quality of pod recording)....with no success. But it's even more frustrating when I see other people with less equipment than me, getting the perfect results they are looking for. I've been messing around in the poorly laid out M-Audio control interface for hours, trying to think of logical solutions to my problem, but I'm still at a total loss. Does anyone have any ideas?

[TexRoadkill]

Can you record vocals and other stuff without clipping? If you truly have the input gain all the way down and you still can't record without clipping then you will have to get an inline mic pad. Shure makes some for about $40.

I have to think the real problem is that it's not preamp clipping but some other type of glitch (the dreaded clicks and pops, bad cable, etc.) If you can record everything else fine with the same mic/cable/pre then it rules out that problem.

It still may be that you are not turning down the preamp gain but only turning down the monitor level. If you are absolutely certain that is not the problem then step 1 is your only hope.

[B.C.Johnson]

Originally Posted by TexRoadkill

Can you record vocals and other stuff without clipping?

Yep.

If you truly have the input gain all the way down and you still can't record without clipping then you will have to get an inline mic pad. Shure makes some for about $40.

I wish I didn't have to do that - and I'm positive that the yokels on the other guitar forum I frequent who can take a radio shack mic and shove it front of the grill and make decent sounding recordings with no clipping, don't worry about that kind of stuff in their signal chain. But I'll look into it before I drop the cash on a preamp.

I have to think the real problem is that it's not preamp clipping but some other type of glitch (the dreaded clicks and pops, bad cable, etc.) If you can record everything else fine with the same mic/cable/pre then it rules out that problem.

It still may be that you are not turning down the preamp gain but only turning down the monitor level. If you are absolutely certain that is not the problem then step 1 is your only hope.

Yeah, it would seem like I'm just turning down the monitor level, but I'm definitely fiddling around with the trim. Maybe the 1010lt just doesn't have any headroom...

[2lim]

The 1010 has plenty of headroom. Also I doubt an inline pad is the real answer. Can you post a clip(no pun) of your guitar? Finally, have you tried recording it with a different mic, it may sound like a longshot, but your sm57 could be junk.


Simon

[beezelbubba]

Originally Posted by B.C.Johnson

You asked for it.

\/ my [pathetic] brain
\/ a few axons, dendrites, and other neural brik a brak
\/ my arm (21")
\/ my hand (approximately 5 fingers, 7" long)
\/ pick (dunlop tortex .88)
\/ Jackson RR-1 (GHS Boomers 10-46)
\/ Bill Lawrence 500-XL humbucker
\/ Planet Waves 12' instrument cable
\/ Voodoo Amps hotrodded Marshall JMP 2203
\/ Planet Waves 6' speaker cable
\/ Marshall JCM900 1960a 4X12
\/ Shure SM57
\/ 12' Planet Waves mic cable (I guess I'm a fan of the planet waves)
\/ M-Audio Delta 1010LT
\/ Nuendo 2.0

Yep, no fancy schmancy mic pre, no nothing. From what I understand, the 1010LT has built in pres for the xlr inputs, although they are not praiseworthy.

I've no usefull advice to give,but this may be the best wiseass reply I've ever seen!Sarcastic,but inclusive of all requested information!
You have my admiration.

[$a1Ty]

yeah i love smartarse's lol, maybe its because i am one hehehe

[giraffe]

Originally Posted by bcains

Ok, well if you go into the control panel again, it allows you to configure the signal level,
what have you set that to? +4Dbu, -4Dbu or -10
The +4DBu will let you accept or output a hotter signal.

This all should be in the manual. Have you tried a search on this,
there might be another thread similar to this
Another suggestion maybe, to purchase a mixer, or preamp.

did you try this already?

[B.C.Johnson]

Originally Posted by giraffe

did you try this already?

Of course.

+4db

Sounds like an elephant stepping on a bee hive

[metalhead28]

Okay. When you say it's clipping, what does it sound like otherwise? Is it a distorted mess, or does it have pronounced spikes of distortion, pops, crackles, or anything like that? There has simply got to be another adjustment somewhere in the chain that would remedy this. Are there any hardware switches or anything on the Delta card? Are there only one set of "sliders" in the software control panel? Seperate controls for track level/ gain? Is the Delta input monitor showing the level clipping or it showing up in Nuendo? Have you tried all the different pre-amps on the 1010? Have you tried a different mic?

[travelin travis]

if you're using the built in preamps on the 1010lt ( it is a 1010lt is'nt it?), make sure you set the jumpers correctly on the card. check out the manual to learn how to set the jumpers. inputs 1 and 2 can be set to use the built in preamps or be used as line level inputs, via the jumpers on the card.

[B.C.Johnson]

Yeah, there are jumpers to switch between mic level and line level. Since the default setting is mic level, I haven't gone in and checked it out yet (and I'm absolutely positive I never fiddled around with those jumpers). But....I'm all out of ideas, and I think it's time I went in there and checked. I just really don't want to because of the shear number of cables I'd have to disconnect, not to mention opening the case and pulling out the card. It'll be a major production, but it seems to be the last possible problem.

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

if you're using the built in preamps on the 1010lt ( it is a 1010lt is'nt it?), make sure you set the jumpers correctly on the card. check out the manual to learn how to set the jumpers. inputs 1 and 2 can be set to use the built in preamps or be used as line level inputs, via the jumpers on the card.

Well, if he was mistakenly using the line level, there would be no problem with clipping the input. He would have a very weak signal from the mic.

[giraffe]

i hate to ram this one stupid point, but this exact thing is usually the cause of this exact problem.

maybe what's his head just got it wrong and you need to be on -10
(this is where i need to be on my soundcard)

have you tried -10?

[metalhead28]

Not trying to overthrow you or anything, but If he switched to -10 wouldn't it just be hotter still? The card would be set up to recieve an even weaker signal. But hey, I'm not saying don't try it!