At what level should a raw track be recorded?

[Maddox]

In this case, I use Sonar 7 PE. There is the master level and the leds of each individual track.

I understand that there is a term called "optimum level", and that we should aim at these level. I heard that 0 dB is the optimum level, but that seems a little loud. Is that true ?

Let´s say I´m going to mic an amp and record a guitar.

What are the reccomended levels that I should go ? And from where should I monitor these levels - from the Master Level or from the Track Level ?

 

[RAMI]

I heard that 0 dB is the optimum level, but that seems a little loud. Is that true ?

Yes, there's no reason to be peaking anywhere around 0db. But, when someone says "optimum level", what are they talking about? Average level or peak level? Either way, 0db is too hot.

What are the reccomended levels that I should go ? And from where should I monitor these levels - from the Master Level or from the Track Level ?

I can't give you an exact optimum level for any instrument, but if you don't peak past -6, you should be OK.

As far as where those levels should be adjusted from, there isn't just one place. You have to make sure your whole signal chain from source to channel strip are properly gain-staged. This usually means consulting the manual of each piece of equipment in that chain and finding out what the "optimum level" (there it is again) is for each item in your signal chain.

 

[Massive Master]

I understand that there is a term called "optimum level", and that we should aim at these level. I heard that 0 dB is the optimum level, but that seems a little loud. Is that true ?

For the record, "0 dB" means nothing. dBFS, dBm, dBV, dBu, dBVU, dBSPL --

That aside -- This may be of help:

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog/index_files/Proper_Audio_Recording_Levels.php

 

[Mr Clean]

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog/index_files/Proper_Audio_Recording_Levels.php

What he said ;-)

 

[Maddox]

Thank you, both of you.

 

[RAMI]

Thank you, both of you.

 

[chewbacaface]

I've always heard it is best to keep it between -10db and -6db purely to allow headroom for mastering purposes. So, in some respects it dependes on what you intend to do with the final recording. If you don't plan to have it sent for mastering, then you could probably get closer to 0 that big of a deal.

That may be wrong but that was always my understanding of it.

 

[Massive Master]

Those are finished mix levels -- Tracking levels are another story.

For the record, finished mix levels anywhere below full-scale are fine -- assuming they fall "naturally" below full-scale (as in, no limiting or excessive 2-buss compression).

 

[dastrick]

What are the reccomended levels that I should go ?

Oh no..........................not again?