can't figure out why I'm clipping still...

  • Thread starter Thread starter mcl116
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mcl116

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I was trying to mic up my amp to record some guitar but I ran into a problem I could not figure out how to fix. My recording was clipping like crazy but I have no idea why. The input meter was not reading at clipping levels, when I recorded and heard it was still clipping, I opened up the channel menu and lowered the input level very low so it wasn't even close to clipping. Yet when I tried to track the guitar, it was clipping like crazy again. I have the mic knob on my interface turned down all the way and I have the mixer knob halfway between input and playback. Why is it still clipping?

I'm using Cubase LE4 with a Presonus Audiobox interface.

Thanks!
 
are you clipping the output of cubase?, try turning down your master output level
 
Have you had success before, or has it always been clipping?

The main control for you to worry about is the level control on the Audiobox. You should not need to worry about input controls on Cubase.

The input/playback knob is only a monitoring control, and has no influence on the input signal.

How close to your amp have you got the mike?

How loud have you set the amp?
 
mcl116 said:
... The input meter was not reading at clipping levels, when I recorded and heard it was still clipping..

..I opened up the channel menu and lowered the input level very low so it wasn't even close to clipping.
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Presuming these are meters and adjustments in Cubase? Understand that these have nothing to do with your record levels.

Yet when I tried to track the guitar, it was clipping like crazy again. I have the mic knob on my interface turned down all the way and I have the mixer knob halfway between input and playback. Why is it still clipping?
Click to expand...
The bottom line is if the mic is putting out too much voltage you'll have to reduce it somehow. Your manual says the 'clip light on the Audiobox indicates max for the analog circuit and max record level- 0db full scale.
Also the 'mix knob is just for blending your playback tracks for monitoring with the recording input.
It is not all that unusual for a high output mic on a loud source to need an extra in-line pad, or the pad on the mic if it has one..
 
gecko zzed said:
Have you had success before, or has it always been clipping?

The main control for you to worry about is the level control on the Audiobox. You should not need to worry about input controls on Cubase.

The input/playback knob is only a monitoring control, and has no influence on the input signal.

How close to your amp have you got the mike?

How loud have you set the amp?
Click to expand...

I've had success before micing an acoustic guitar.

The mic is about 7" away from the camp. The amp, while loud to me, the level setting is only at 2 (I know you're saying that can't be loud, but it's fairly loud to be playing at home setting)

So what should I be trying to do eliminate this problem since I have gone about this the wrong way...
 
Go back to the settings you used to record your acoustic guitar.

Make sure you can still get a clean signal doing that.

When you've done that ok, you will know that there is nothing wrong with your signal path.

You can then try again.

My guess, though, is that the cab level is just too loud for the mike itself at that distance. Use the pad on the mike if it has one. Or put it further away. Or turn the amp down. Or try a different mike.

But if the mike can't cope with that signal level, it doesn't matter what levels you set the Audiobox to. It will still be overloaded.
 
I'm not familiar with the Audiobox but I have a Presonus Firebox and the software that came bundled with it includes a "Firebox Control Panel". From that panel you can toggle on/off a 12db boost to the various inputs. If your unit has such a thing then maybe you should verify that the boost is not enabled, as it is certainly not needed when trying to record a guitar amp.

You should be able to crank that thing to very decent levels and still get a good non-clipped signal, even with the mic right up against the grille of the amp.

EDIT: what kind of mic are you using? If it's a condenser maybe you should try a dynamic.
 
mattdee1 said:
I'm not familiar with the Audiobox but I have a Presonus Firebox and the software that came bundled with it includes a "Firebox Control Panel". From that panel you can toggle on/off a 12db boost to the various inputs. If your unit has such a thing then maybe you should verify that the boost is not enabled, as it is certainly not needed when trying to record a guitar amp.

You should be able to crank that thing to very decent levels and still get a good non-clipped signal, even with the mic right up against the grille of the amp.

EDIT: what kind of mic are you using? If it's a condenser maybe you should try a dynamic.
Click to expand...

mxl991- so its a condenser and I unfortunately don't have a dynamic:mad: anyway to still get good results?
 
Condensors are more sensitive (usually) than dynamics . . . but that should not be an obstacle to you getting a good sound.
 
gecko zzed said:
Condensors are more sensitive (usually) than dynamics . . . but that should not be an obstacle to you getting a good sound.
Click to expand...

I think I got it working. I just turned down the volume on the amp to just above 1 and its no longer clipping. Sounds fine during playback now... thanks for all the help!
 
mcl116 said:
I think I got it working. I just turned down the volume on the amp to just above 1 and its no longer clipping. Sounds fine during playback now... thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...


Glad you're back in business but if you have to keep your amp fairly "quiet" to avoid clipping, there is still something amiss. You should be able to have that thing blasting and still avoid clipping by setting levels in your signal chain. Most amps sound much better cranked up, and this is the sound you want to capture if possible.

Re: condensers vs. dynamics, either can be used and personal preferences will vary but whenever I've attempted both on a guitar amp I always prefer the dynamic. To my ears the various condensers I've tried sounded far too bright.
 
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