How do you set your tracking levels?

[TamaSabian]

I would like to know how do you track?, I mean at what levels?. Is good to track between -12db and -6db, or between -6db and 0db. Do you record everything at the same level?.
What do you think about mixing with the trims placing all the faders in 0.
For those who works with SONAR what view do you use for mixing?, track or console. Sorry no mixer just mouse for that work

Hope you could give some answers about this basic questions.


Thanx
Tama

 

[tmix]

I track (in 24bit/44.1) around -10 to -6 generally.
I find I have more than enough signal level at mixdown.

If I have a very dense sustaining keyboard patch I'll typically track it at alower volume just because you wont need that much energy at mixdown.

 

[lost studios]

Are you using Sonar 3 or an earlier version? If you're using an earlier version, then I think you might find that that you can do pretty much everything in the track view. In Sonar 3, the console view has had a much needed revamp whereas I can see doing a mixdown with it.

good luck.
ls

 

[TamaSabian]

Yeah I use the track view, and sometimes when it comes to put a plugin into the aux or bus, I have to use the console view of course.
I´m asking about this because I´ve done recordings with different levels and it gave me a lot of problems in the mix time.
If you record today and three days later you have to do another track, how do you save your settings?.

 

[Cyrokk]

I keep my track levels between -6 to -3db, tracking to ADAT through an ART Tube.

And the first thing I do before starting a mixing project is turn every gain pot down, every fader down, and every other knob at 0. There's nothing like pulling your hair out wondering why your mix sucks so bad and sounds overboosted/undercut only to discover that you are basing your decisions from previous mix settings.

Cy