levels question

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hawk

hawk

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While I'm waiting on my new stuff to arrive, (sm57, behringer Eurotrack802 mixer, Audiophile 24/96,) I've been thinking about how to set my levels for recording. I'll be mic'ing my guitar amp to record 2 guitar tracks. I have several places to turn the levels up/down:

- my amp
- the mixer
- the Windows line-in volume
- the levels in the software (CE 2K pro.)
- possible levels adjustment with the Audiophile's software??

My question is, how should I set all these levels for optimal volume/quality? Are there some general rules for this? I know the input VU meter on Cool Edit should just barely be out of the red, and I assume the same with the mixer but still confused how to get it all set up correctly.

Thanks!
 
That was an informative article, in a general sense but I'm still confused about the specifics. For instance, should the amp/mixer be turned up while the Windows line-in setting turned low? Or the other way around, etc? I assume the amp volume should be pretty high, but then if it's too high you get more hiss from the amp. I guess mainly I dont know where the Windows line-in mixer volume should be vs. how the amp and mixer's levels should be.

thanks again
 
Set the mixer so the levels are dancing around 0db on the meters and then set the Windows input so the levels never exceed 0db.
 
With virtually anything, start at the source and work your way in. NOT the other way around.

Now, with the source, volume is irrelevant: SOund is important. Get the sound/tone/feel out of the amp you want (same applies to singing, acoustic instruments, any amped instrument). If you don't like the tone/sound of the source, there ain't nothing you can do after the fact to make it sound like you want it to.

So the amp might be real loud if that is the sound you want, or it may be really quiet.

Next, you determine what mic to use and where to put it based on the sound of the source.

Then you set the gain on the preamp of the microphone (ie the mixer) to the appropriate level... just like has been said above....

and so on all the way to the recorder.
 
Audiophile 24/96

If your audiophile is installed correct then you should have a M-Audio icon on you desktop. Check the directory too. Anyway, you can adjust input levels here and record through the analog inputs on the sound card. Be sure to change the Patchbay/Router to H/W in 1/2. you won't get sound otherwise.Hope this helps.
 
Okay, after setting up all my new gear, all seems to be working. However, I have a few questions, being new to the Audiophile card and mixer. I'm still confused about the input level. Here's what I'm doing:

- use the pre-amp gain on the mixer to get about 0db (which is almost all the way turned up, is that normal?)

But then, how do I adjust input level to the software? (Cool Edit.) I've looked at the Monitor Mixer, but the fader for input doesn't seem to affect input level, only what is heard. The problem is when I record a track then record another track and mix them, the signal ends up clipping.

P.S. on the H/W 1/2 page, I have it set to "monitor mixer," so I can monitor the previous track while playing.

thanks
 
I don't think you should have to crank the gain that high on the mixer.
If you are playing the amp loud or at least a little loud, here's what I'd do. (your mic might be too far away, try it about a couple of inches away)
Make sure all the faders you are using are at 0, thats the track's faders plus don't forget the stereo mix if you are recording out of that bus.
Then get your signal in the mixer to be around 0.
Then to adjust the levels in Cool Edit, use the windows volume box to set the recording levels of the line in channel (should be the channel you are using) til the signal never goes above 0 dB.

That should give you good level.
 
Jimbo, thanks for replying. But, I cannot move the slider for the input signal (the Windows Volume control, not the Audiophile mixer.) It's like it's greyed out - it will not move from where it is currently. Is that normal?
 
hawk said:
.....But, I cannot move the slider for the input signal (the Windows Volume control, not the Audiophile mixer.) It's like it's greyed out - it will not move from where it is currently....
Click to expand...

You don't need to use the Windows Volume Control because you are using the M-Audio control Panel.
 
SPINSTERWUN said:
You don't need to use the Windows Volume Control because you are using the M-Audio control Panel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the Monitor Mixer is pre-fader, meaning it doesn't affect the actual input levels. I can look at the VU meter in Cool Edit and watch the input levels. If I mute the input or lower the faders in Monitor Mixer, it has NO effect on the input sigal that Cool Edit receives. Tha'ts my problem..how can I control the input levels? Am I missing something? Thanks!
 
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