How much over 0 dB do I go

[LonelyBeat]

I wanna know what the proper procedure for recording on a 488 is as far as what level I should record say a bass or guitar or drum track. as always the help is appreciated.

 

[jake-owa]

On cassette I always go with the ol 'do what sounds good' method.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Just make everything "one louder"....!

 

[muttley]

On my 688, just below the O.



da MUTT

 

[The Ghost of FM]

If your tracking with dbx, the tracks levels should be kept between -7db and -3db. This will ensure that you don't get into any breathing issues with the dbx and as well, keeping it in that range will ensure that your adjacent chanel cross talk or "bleed through" doesn't leak onto the neighbouring tracks.

Cheers!

 

[A Reel Person]

I've hit it at 0VU, and even up to +3VU with no ill effects,...

on a cassette 4-track.

However, it's probably best to stick to 0VU and below on a cassette 8-track. DBX is less of a concern than basic crosstalk, when considering 8-tracks on cassette.

 

[cjacek]

Some say that when DBX is engaged, you should keep it at no more than 0db. I, on the other hand, on my 244 have on many occassions recorded into the red with no bad effects at all. I'm not sure if this advice, about not going past 0db when DBX is set is theory or what .. Personally, I found going past 0db not problematic and I certainly have not heard any compression/expansion side effects, like "pumping & breathing". If there is then I can't hear it. Btw, who came up with this "theory" ?

Daniel

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Btw, who came up with this "theory" ?

TASCAM and dbx did.

Read any of the manuals on the equipment in question and there it will be spelt out.

Cheers!

 

[A Reel Person]

Yes Daniel, agreed.

As I stated above, on cassette-4-track [w/dbx, of course], I've hit it consistently at 0VU, and sometimes up to +3VU, with no ill effects. In general, that's do-able. Note, that on heavily percussive instruments, like acoustic piano or drums, it might be more prone to inducing 'pumping', but the proof is in the pudding.

Push the levels until you hear something you don't like.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Quoted by ARP;

Push the levels until you hear something you don't like.

That's the best technical and factual explanation I've ever seen!

Well put.

Cheers!

 

[cjacek]

TASCAM and dbx did.

Read any of the manuals on the equipment in question and there it will be spelt out.

Cheers!

I've read the 244, 246, 414mkII and 424mkIII manual. Now, perhaps I've missed the part about DBX so can you point out where exactly it is stated ?

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

Re: Yes Daniel, agreed.

As I stated above, on cassette-4-track [w/dbx, of course], I've hit it consistently at 0VU, and sometimes up to +3VU, with no ill effects. In general, that's do-able. Note, that on heavily percussive instruments, like acoustic piano or drums, it might be more prone to inducing 'pumping', but the proof is in the pudding.

Push the levels until you hear something you don't like.

Thanks Dave .. Yeah, the proof is certainly in the pudding. In practice it seems to not be a problem.

Daniel

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Sorry, I don't have those manuals handy at this moment but, looking on my MS-16 manual, page 4-9 describes the process and explains why the dbx levels are lower on the meters and basically, it can be paraphrased that the meters show the level after processing so don't expect to drive your levels to 0db or you will induce tracking errors!

It should also be noted that for the machine in question and the instruments he wishes to record being bass and drums, there is no need to floor the meters as everyone seems to be infatuated with these days. Why? I have no idea.

Classic tape saturation effects are best realized on open reel equipment running at full fidelity speeds and where the track width is sufficient with no noise reduction.

With noise reduction such as dbx and on a narrow format cassette, you are playing yourself, if you feel that you can get away with convincing saturation effects.

Cheers!