How to properly calibrate levels?

[jbroad572]

I was recording before by turning up the gain on my preamp to make sure that the source I was recording was as close to 0 in Adobe Audition as possible. Upon a recommendation I set my gain on my preamp to +6, the lowest it will go on my DMP3, and did a sample recording. This is what I observed

it is registering around -27db when about 6-8 inches from the mic and close mic'ed around the -12. Depending on the application, I would want to turn the gain on the preamp up to get the right levels in AA or do I want to mess with the levels in Soundcard's manager?

The recording was much cleaner and more to my liking. Even though the peaks and recorded wavs weren't nearly as high it sounded better to my ear. So, it got me thinking I need to get a better knowledge and calibrate my setup. Right now, on my Delta 1010lt I have my inputs set to Consumer, and my gain on my preamp to +6. When I turn the gain all the way to +36 and do a little singing or talking I peak around -9 at the loudest part, close miced. When I want to mic further away, say 6-12 inches away do I need to increase the input levels on my sound card to compensate for the distance? Should I turn them up and leave them up from the get go or what?
What is the best way to calibrate my levels?

 

[bennychico11]

honestly, those numbers don't mean crap to anyone. It's like saying how loud is 11 on your guitar amp? No one really knows...


think of gain staging like this...turn up the volume closest to the source first.
first you have your instrument. Say electric guitar, turn up the guitar's volume first. If that's as loud as you can get it without messing up the sound or raising the noise level, go with the amp itself next. Same thing with it. As loud as you can get it without messing up the sound (note* messing up the sound also means TOO loud that you clip the meters)
Next the preamp. The the channel fader.
Ideally you want to leave all your levels at unity. Unity, meaning, no gain and no reduction. This means that it's not going through any amplification or resistance which can create noise. If you can leave your channel fader of your mixer (if you had one) at unity and get perfect level...then great! But adjust instrument gain first and then microphone gain next.

As far as your computer inputs...i've never really owned a soundcard for recording that has had digital volume controls on the input side. So I guess go for whatever is the most neutral. But you DON'T need to shoot for recording levels as close to 0dBFS as you can...so don't worry about getting them that high. For music, around -6dBFS will work fine for your tracks.

 

[jbroad572]

Thanks for the post. That helps a lot. I mainly record acoustic instruments (vocals, sax, guitar), but I get the point. Still not sure about the levels on the actual sound card itself. I can bring the input volume up so that the preamp can stay at +6, but of course I can hear more background noise. I think that's my last question and I can take it from there. Thanks

 

[jbroad572]

anyone else?

 

[Ford Van]

I don't think you need to worry about recording with peaks any higher than around -6dB.

The DMP3 has a "range" button on it I observed. You can use that to increase the gain range of the preamp. Which setting will work best for you depends on many factors, the biggest being that you have good control over the gain, and what is pleasing to your ear.

If what you tried worked for you, there is nothing wrong with that at all. By all means, if it sounds good, continue on with your bad self and record a hit and tell all your fans how Ford Van told you it was okay to do whatever it took to make that hit!