Meter Input Levels

[ok_computer]

Hi there. I'm new to the forum. I've been reading a lot of posts here trying to educate myself on the subject but unfortunately I am a bit confused when it comes to the recommended gain at input and monitoring the pre-fader/meter input levels. I am using a Shure PG81 condenser mic going into an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB (16 bit/44.1 khz)

I have read in several places if you are using a 16 bit recording device such as the one I have, you should record with more gain and aim for peaks of about -6 (so I turn up the gain control on my actual m audio mobile device) and I average out at around -15 db. The peaks hit somewhere between -10 and -6. What I do not understand is the term headroom and the difference between 16 bit and 24 bit in terms of audio quality. I have read a lot of debate on the subject and there are some contradictions on the subject. I was deciding if I should upgrade my 16 bit m audio interface and get a 24 bit one, but all I really use it for is recoding an acoustic guitar with a mic, the rest is mostly midi instruments I use.

Also, when increasing the gain to try and get a decent signal level, is it better to increase the gain using the knob on the usb interface (I basically need to turn it all the way up to get the recommended -6 headroom range that's been suggested) or should I leave the gain pretty low on the usb interface and turn it up on Cubase's digital mixer (on the input channel strip)

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

It does not matter if you're recording in 16- or 24-bit, set your levels the same using the same approximate numbers you have listed. The difference between 16- and 24-bit is how much room you have at the bottom before you introduce digital noise. But considering you typically have an analog signal going into digital with a dynamic range of no more that 65dB, both the 90dB of 16-bits and the 138dB of 24-bits of dynamic range is more than enough to accommodate your recording.

Set you levels back on your interface/converter and leave the input levels in Cubase at unity gain. This is the only way to get an accurate reading on Cubase's meters of just what level you're going through your interface at, which is the key reading you want to see.

Headroom is simply the amount of space between your highest peak in Cubase and 0dBFS.

For everything you need to know on reading meters and setting levels head to this page and click on the "Metering and Gain Structure" icon.

G.

 

[ok_computer]

That's really useful. Thanks for the reply. I checked out the link as well you provided. Really interesting stuff.