Recording signal chain

[Madmuzak]

Please dont think I am a bonehead but I need help on adjusting the levels when I record vocals...In the begining it was easy......Adjust the mixer level ...DONE. But now I have mic pre amp, compressor and mixer levels too adjust. I can get it to a point where the the signal to noise level is acceptable but I want to know the proper way to set all your levels. I want the hottest signal i can get. Please someone help this poor soul...

 

[TexRoadkill]

A good rule of thumb is to just follow the path and make sure that each input and output is as hot as possible going down the chain. If you have a choice between raising one output and lowering the next input try it both ways and see what sounds better. You usually push your higher quality gear a little harder then the low quality stuff.

If you list exactly what you have and how it is hooked up we can get more specific.

 

[crosstudio]

if you have a mic-pre, why are you going into the mixer?

are you using the mixer just to monitor, or is the mic-pre built into the mixer?

more info please.

my vocal recording chain:
1 audio technica 4033
2 FMR Audio RNP (mic pre)
3 Frontier Design Tango24 (d/a/d)
4 Frontier Design Wavecenter (soundcard)
5 Cakewalk Sonar