How hot do you record?

[Nutdotnet]

Just curious....seems like the hotter I record the less I like the sound, maybe I am doing something wrong? I have always tried to record at the area that is right below clipping.

Thanks!

[TexRoadkill]

There are two main gain stages to worry about. Going into the preamp/mixer and into the recorder.

The preamp level will have the most influence on your tone. Drive it too hot and you will get distortion or a weird compression. If you record too hot going into a digital recorder it will sound like annoying pops and chirps.

You want your preamp signal to be as hot as possible without clipping. Since this is a analog circuit (usually) they are a little more forgiving if you clip (but try not too) and the higher signal means that when you raise the volume in the mix you get more signal and less mic/preamp/room noise.

When you record digitally you can not clip and have a usable signal so its better to be on the safe side. Since there is no tape hiss to worry about you can raise the signal without raising the noise.

Rule of thumb. As hot as you can get it without clipping.

If you tell us what equipment you are using we can be more specific.

[Nutdotnet]

Hey thanks,

My Signal chain is very basic but here it is....

1. Presonus BlueTube Mic Pre
2. Presonus BlueMax Compressor
3. M-Audio Delta 44
4. Behringer B2031 Truth Monitors
5. Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

[TexRoadkill]

ahhhh,
The Blue Tubes will definately change the tone when you drive them hotter.

In that case go with what sounds best to you. I dont have those so cant tell you the settings to use. Tube preamps and compressors are used because people want to add that tone to a bass, guitar or vocals.

As you are learning the tube tone isnt always desirable. That is where a non tube preamp can be more desirable for a more transparent tone.

Or just use the minimum amount of gain into the preamp before the tube really starts warming it up. Dont use the compression for tracking unless you really want or need to.

[SPINSTERWUN]

I didn't read all the posts, so I'm sure this has already been posted.

Record as HOT as possible, without clipping of course.

Normally, I won't record lower than -0.7db.

Normally, -0.7db to -0.1



peace......

[Nutdotnet]

hehe...

Well the BlueMax is not a tube compressor....but the BlueTube is a tube Mic Pre.

The BlueTube has two seperate dials, one is for the gain, and one is drive, which the manual says the the dial to give it a more of a tube tone.....

I don't know, I have used other mic pre'.....notably the Mic Pre's on the Mackie 1202vlz Pro....and it still had this type of tone. Just sounds dead to me.....like there is no life, no emotion. Hard sound to explain I guess, maybe it is my mixing technique or something because nothing seems to every "sit-well" with the other instruments....

[TexRoadkill]

That could be the mics your using. To get a lot of air and clarity you usually need a LD Condensor. If your recording everthing with a 57 or something similar it will sound a little dull.

What mics are you using?

[Nutdotnet]

I am using a Rode NT-1, and have messed around with a Shure KSM-33

[tubedude]

Look here for more info...
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...threadid=32436