recording really LOUD guitars on the 688

[wilfoster]

hi there tascam forum. I recorded some super loud guitars in a basement last night using SM 57s and the preamps of my 688. I had the trim all the way down and still hit +3(two bars in the red). Is that bad? and just reading on my search of 688 I read that I should be only hitting -3 to -7 because of the noise reduction.

yes they should turn down. but will they? I don't know. What else can I do? so far guitars are sounding thin for that much volume. the plan is doing crazy over the top basic tracks in their basement and dump those onto the computer and work from there. thanks tascammers.

 

[wilfoster]

and another idea I had was to also record each guitar direct to its own track along with micing the cabinets.
so I need two direct boxes?
any suggestions on good cheap direct boxes?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Engage pad switch. You do want the preamp to work a little bit, and unless you are tracking to analog tape +3 is bad.

 

[A Reel Person]

The proof of the pudding is in the tasting.

Isn't that how that saying goes?

Anyway, +3 on the VU LCD Meter bars is "ok" in my book, based on the fact that the LED/LCD Meter bar design is ultra fast response, as compared to an actual VU meter with a needle. The LED/LCD Meter bars will register those +3 peaks when an old school VU meter would not, so there's a relative difference. The "peak at -3VU" rule of thumb for dbx was aimed more at the VU Meter/needle crowd.

However, +3VU peaks on an LED or LCD Meter bar is okay, based on the general rule of thumb that you average 0VU, overall.

The real test, is if it sounds good, it is good,... within reason. Of course, you don't want to redline the heck out of any machine until smoke comes out the back.

 

[ender4trackmind]

"yes they should turn down. but will they? I don't know. What else can I do? so far guitars are sounding thin for that much volume. the plan is doing crazy over the top basic tracks in their basement and dump those onto the computer and work from there. thanks tascammers."

They will if you say "do you want to sound like shit guys." Loud amps are just fine...but you have to think what your doing RECORDING, not playing out live. Given the fact your recording, a 15watt practice amp with an 8inch speaker can sound like a full stack. So if their volume level is to the point your peaking out of control with your line trim down, get them to reduce volume.

Now if you happen to be tracking a full band live, you can solve the peak problems just with mic placement...as bleed wouldn't be much of an issue.

Random...you might even want to slightly reduce guitar distortion/overdrive levels. As overtly distorted guitars might sound great in the room, but can get real muddy when recorded and lack any definition. Thing is the reduction in distortion/overdrivre will not seem such on the recording, those elements will be even more pronounced and controlled.

Might want to check/play with your EQs as well...as the thin sound your dealing with in part could be from flat EQing while tracking, or just wacky EQing.

 

[wilfoster]

>Now if you happen to be tracking a full band live, you can solve the peak problems just with mic placement...as bleed wouldn't be much of an issue.

does that mean pull the mics back from the cabinets? bleed is not a real issue.

>Might want to check/play with your EQs as well...as the thin sound your dealing with in part could be from flat EQing while tracking, or just wacky EQing.

EQ was flat.

We're still messing around getting sounds seeing if this is gonna work. Really going for great vibe over great sound. It just seemed wrong that I wasn't using the preamp at all.

well more questions coming after Sundays session.

I always find this place most helpful. thanks.

 

[ender4trackmind]

"does that mean pull the mics back from the cabinets? bleed is not a real issue."

In part yeah pull the mics back slightly " given the factor your in a basement you should be able to pick up all sorts of crazy stuff bouncing off the walls ( would at least have a bit of reflection/echo), plus with the volume and the peaking everything should pan out.

If you cant get control with general volume, or your own trim...time to move the mic around a bit.

"EQ was flat."

Yeah...lol EQs were prob the last of your worries when you had super redlines all over the place. Now that you should have more control over your input signal, time to EQ just a bit...as you can get extra tape saturation without overdriving the entire channel.

As for peaks...its fine to peak, you just don't want to be in the red the entire time. More or less as long as you have a bit of flux with the dominate signal hovering three or four bars from spiked your OK. This also depends on your tape type...as your machine is telling you one thing, what's going down to tape is another story.