Hiss Levels

[EVEykel]

Ok, I know that this has been kinda discussed before on this board because I've read most of the posts, but this question is a bit different. I'm running fairly inexpensive stuff (Behringer Mixer, Presonus TubePre, Santa Cruz Soundcard, Studio Projects C1, Shure SM81, Event TR5 Actives) and I'm having an issue with hiss. Most of the stuff I'm recording consists of 5 or 6 tracks, and I usually have a noise level sitting right at around -57 or -54. It doesn't really sound too terrible to me, but I'm wondering if any of you have a rule of thumb as to what noise level is acceptable. Should I be shooting for a lower noise floor with my sources or what? It seems that whenever I adjust volume too far down to counteract noise, the signals just get too quiet. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dobro]

Two things got rid of noise for me: buying better gear, and tracking at 24-bit and lower levels.

 

[malcolm123]

Whats the source

Have you narrowed it down to what sources are giving you the most hiss? Or are you getting the hiss after tracking?


Malcolm

 

[EVEykel]

Well, I'm sure that my cheap equipment is part of it. My individual tracks have some hiss in them which obviously translates to my final mix. My question about all of this is if there is a certain level which the hiss will become audible and interfere with my mix. Right now, oddly enough, the noise level is at around -57 db and it isn't all that noticable.

 

[mixsit]

The gear you listed should be able to run much quieter that that.
I think malcolm's point was to the point.
Some sources of excess noise could be, the source (noisy guitar effects for example), poor gain staging, low record level, too much high boost.
Wayne