Another compressor question - newbie

[pure.fusion]

Hi all,

Long time player, short time home-studio-er.

I've been recording acoustic guitar and electric guitar using an SM-57, which is quite adequate for my purposes. I've also been recording bass with a DI setup.

I notice straight off that I'm having trouble stopping the occasional clip on the input to my E-MU 0404 when I happen to strum slightly harder on the acoustic (perhaps as I sway slightly closer to the mic) or happen to pull a bass string slightly harder than normal.

So, I need some real basic info on how you guys deal with this. Do you run into a compressor before you input to the E_MU?

Thanks.


FM

[MessianicDreams]

What preamp are you using for this?


Sounds to me you're running your levels a bit too hot in to the soundcard. You shouldn't need to run a comp before hitting the converters. How about backing off the gain on your preamp?

[RAMI]

It could be as simple as turning down your signal. Your average signal doesn't have to be anywhere near peaking level. If you're trying to average too hot, your louder signals will peak.

[pure.fusion]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, definitely can run a lower inoput level. I just assumed that to get a "good" recording you need to get a "good level" into the input.

I imagine that my issues as mentioned above would be even larger when I try and record vocals. Going by your advice, I reckon I'd have to run quite a low level into the E-MU to allow for the occasional vocal clip.

Is this how it's done?

FM

[pure.fusion]

Bump....

Ok, it seems that my query is below the radar of most people here!

Yeah, it's fairly basic stuff but unfortunately, knowing my equipment back to front still doesn't give me any *method* of how to.

Yes, I have had a read here and a search on the internet and there is some basic stuff out there but....

Perhaps you can just chime in and tell me if you use a compressor before you go into your sound card or not? At least this will give me some idea.

Thanks,
FM

[NL5]

Originally Posted by MessianicDreams

Sounds to me you're running your levels a bit too hot in to the soundcard. You shouldn't need to run a comp before hitting the converters. How about backing off the gain on your preamp?

Originally Posted by RAMI

It could be as simple as turning down your signal. Your average signal doesn't have to be anywhere near peaking level. If you're trying to average too hot, your louder signals will peak.

Do I really need to say it a third time??!?!?!?!?!

[pure.fusion]

You're right. My bad.

It was my failure to commit my mind to the the fact that I have to record with "low" level to allow for peaks.

It also comes from the frustration of putting down a fantastic take and have it ruined by one overzelous note.

Thanks all, I'll try it out.

FM

[NL5]

Originally Posted by pure.fusion

It also comes from the frustration of putting down a fantastic take and have it ruined by having my gain set too high.

[Rokket]

Use the compressor when you are mixing it down. SPARINGLY to tame those occasional peaks.

Oh, and don't try to get 'pro' studio volume level on your consumer equipment, please!

[aidan_m]

Originally Posted by pure.fusion

Going by your advice, I reckon I'd have to run quite a low level into the E-MU to allow for the occasional vocal clip.

Is this how it's done?

FM

What they all said!

On the vocal stuff, try also using mic technique so you can get a better input level without the clipping i.e. for the loud parts, pull back a bit from the mic..

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by pure.fusion

I just assumed that to get a "good" recording you need to get a "good level" into the input.

That's true. But now we have to define "good level". Good level doesn't mean "loud level". In the digital world, the old "track as hot as possible" doesn't apply. You don't have to worry about masking the tape noise, and you do have to worry about digital distortion. You want headroom.

Going by your advice, I reckon I'd have to run quite a low level into the E-MU to allow for the occasional vocal clip.

Again, you don't want an occasional clip. You want to peak much lower than that. It's not like recording to tape. You want headroom.

[Aled_King]

I use the EMU 0404 and you should be able to get some good results. All the advice given by these other people should see you through. If you apply some light compression then you should be able to lift the volume a little; don't overdo it though.

[d.bop]

Originally Posted by RAMI

That's true. But now we have to define "good level". Good level doesn't mean "loud level". In the digital world, the old "track as hot as possible" doesn't apply. You don't have to worry about masking the tape noise, and you do have to worry about digital distortion. You want headroom.



Again, you don't want an occasional clip. You want to peak much lower than that. It's not like recording to tape. You want headroom.

Exactly. Headroom is key here (you can always turn it up later)
When I know the mix is going to be pretty light (just a few instruments,) I tend to track everything around -12dbFS. For more dense mixes (like rock/pop) I'll track at -20dbFS.
You'll never be reaching for those faders again

Also, recording in 24-bit will give you more headroom, so if you do clip, most often you can pull down the fader a bit and like magic, the clipping is gone! (that is, unless you're clipping BEFORE the signal gets to the computer)

[NYMorningstar]

Originally Posted by pure.fusion

Hi all,

I've been recording acoustic guitar and electric guitar using an SM-57, which is quite adequate for my purposes...

This is just my personal opinion and I know you didn't ask but I'm thinking using a condensor mic on the acoustic would be better than quite adequate and you wouldn't be needing to track so hot to sound good.

[ilantis-studio]

Originally Posted by NYMorningstar

This is just my personal opinion and I know you didn't ask but I'm thinking using a condensor mic on the acoustic would be better than quite adequate and you wouldn't be needing to track so hot to sound good.

I agree with this too but gotta make sure that the sound card can support phantom power though! I used to use an SM57 on acoustic but when I went ot Rode NT5s, never looked back.

Also +1 to not tracking so hot. Most of my tracking hangs in the low to mid yellow on average so when there is a sudden loud note it barely cuts into the red.