MR8 Recording Levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter cellardweller
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cellardweller

cellardweller

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Where on the input meters do you try to keep your levels while recording on the MR8.

I was aiming for the midway (around 12 I think on the meter), but the recordings come out VERY quiet...

When I first got my MR8, I was recording direct. I tried to keep the levels as close as possible to max without peeking, but this seemed to produce a lot of low end distortion. Now I am miking my guitar.

I will have to re-arrange my room yet again so I can get away from the amp during recording, as to be able to clearly hear on my cans, and be able to increase the volume, increasing the levels...

Don't mind me, I'm thinking "out loud"...

Any advice on maximizing volumes???
 
The levels should be as close to 0db as possible. It sounds like you're hitting -12db... Way too low. I don't own the MR8, but I believe you're levels should be reaching at or near the top line in the meter display. Above that too much and you'll be peaking (not good).
 
Fostex comes up short when it comes to metering. I use a VF16 which has a small (2"x3"?) meter that gives you--if I remember correctly-- three reference points: 0db, -12db, and -48db. I try to keep my levels so they peak somewhere around 6db and I often track with a compressor to help acheive consistent levels. (Obviously, vocals present the most difficulty in this area.) I would try to avoid anything above 6db unless you are going to burn a demo CD directly from the unit without any meaningful mastering. If you mix to a computer and master (or if you send material to a mastering engineer) you will need to preserve some headroom for added compression, etc. during the mastering process.

The meter is difficult to see and, if you are tracking yourself, it's hard to play and observe levels at the same time. About a year ago, I looked into the possibility of getting and external meter to improve the situation. I could not find anything economical and I never really pursued the idea again. (I'm not sure how you would attach an external device? I guess through the L/R RCA out jack. But, even that would have to be calibrated in some way since the meter would measure output.)
 
levels

top of the meter is 0 db, i aim for there, then play a rehersal track and watch the clipping light, if none, then swell, if any clipping light shows up i back down a little and try again until as close to 0 db as possible, without any clipping.

meters are small and hard to see...
 
This could definitely account for my low volumes!!!

I've got 8-10 songs recorded this way, what a waste! They were learning experiences anyway!

Since I'm already wasting bandwidth, what would be the best "recorders bible" to buy? I really want something kind of inclusive, from newbie to slightly advanced....
 
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