How much noise?

[punkin]

During idle, and no inputs active...how much noise is considered "too much" or "acceptable" I understand that you want this as low as possible.

I also realize that over multiple tracks the noise floor adds up but I'm just wondering what most people see. What's considered a good noise floor value on a per track basis?

Thanks

 

[masteringhouse]

During idle, and no inputs active...how much noise is considered "too much" or "acceptable" I understand that you want this as low as possible.

I also realize that over multiple tracks the noise floor adds up but I'm just wondering what most people see. What's considered a good noise floor value on a per track basis?

Thanks

The least amount of noise possible or none at all is best. Any noise that is audible and distracting is unacceptable. If you use automation you should mute tracks that don't have anything going on to reduce noise even further. This helps prevent noise build-up. So when no inputs are active there is no noise other than what your board is producing.

That said, if you're recording punk, whatever you feel is appropriate. A little noise gives punk attitude if used correctly (like before a guitar comes in or possibly on a vocal track). Having noise on the drums is probably an example of a bad choice and just sloppy engineering.

 

[punkin]

Thanks Masteringhouse...

I'll keep that in mind...have an extra pass at the tracks before I mix down to clean up the empty spaces.

I'm still wondering though, what the normal amount of system noise is "typical" on a single track, muted at the console would be. I'm expecting to hear that higher quality systems and cables get better noise figures but, there will always be something...right?

For example, with my mixer connected to my PC (delta1010), a muted track will have a noise level of about -70....is that typical, bad or good?

When I play these empty tracks back, I can hear the hiss...certainly I can clean them up but I'm just wondering if I need to do some work on my setup to get this number even better...if that's even possible.


punkin

 

[mixsit]

Consider the sources. Any decent pre -90 - 100, condensor mics -70 - 90, a room -40 - (?), guitar amps...? (at high gain?!).
Analog mixer or digi? -80 or -140?
24 bit analog ends -100 - 110.
(These are just toss-about numbers. Please don't jump on me.
Except for the guitar toys, with good gain staging it sould be a non-problem.
The one thing I have to watch like crazy on my rig is a pair of 16 bit Lex 80 & 90's. If the levels aren't up good, the're flat out the noisiest things up.
Wayne

 

[Chibi Nappa]

The thing about noise is that you can still live through it..... Listen to Medeski Martain and Wood's "Combustibication" album. It is a recent (late 90's/early 2000....can't remember) recording, and the noise floor is sky high. I'm talking hiss that is louder than some of the actual program material. And know what? It doesn't kill the album. In fact, I love the album. It is annoying and it puzzels me why it is there, but brains are quite good at tuning that stuff out and only listening to the actual music.

Ditto for the Presidents of the United States of America's hit song "Peaches".

That being said, you should still try and lower your noise floor as much as possible.