Trackling Levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter Idgeit
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Idgeit

Idgeit

New member
Hey all,

Im just curious about what levels would be the standard for say tracking guitars/bass and drumms? For my drumms, the level they were coming in at was around -12db.

But should i be recording them at higher levels?

Thanks

- Iggity
 
Yo ID of Freud:}

I think you might want to think of "levels" when you mix down to stereo two track prior to burning your CD.

At this point, [I speak from using a SIAB], you can fix the levels, reverbs, EQ, dynamics,etc. When you are happy with what you hear through your monitors after many hours of putzing with the dials, then you can burn a CD track of the mix.

Your CD copy should sound as you heard it on the monitors. [what we all hope for.]

When you are just doing the tracks, a clear level that doesn't clip too much can work. It's what your ears tell you that YOU like when you get to the final listening--the mastered CD or TAPE>

Green Hornet :D :cool:
 
Idgeit said:
Im just curious about what levels would be the standard for say tracking guitars/bass and drumms? For my drumms, the level they were coming in at was around -12db.

But should i be recording them at higher levels?
Click to expand...
If you're using 24-bit converters, then there's no need to record "hot".... -12dBFS is fine!
 
I'll throw in sideways - When I track or mix, I try to not ever, EVER have ANYTHING go above -6dBfs at any time. Not during tracking, not during mixing. Several reasons for this including but not limited to D/A recorstructive distortion and the lack of headroom inherent to digital recording in general.

So absolutely - Levels floating around -12 are wonderful. Find a point where you CAN'T make it clip - Then, you don't even have to pay attention to it anymore.

Save the sheer volume for the mastering phase (chokes for a moment) Even if you're doing it yourself.

I can't shout this enough - If you're in the "track as hot as possible" crowd, do youself a favor and at least try tracking and mixing a tune like this.
 
"TRACKLIN ROSIE?"

Never heard that Diamond song....it's cracking me up.

Green Hornet :D :D :D
 
Thanks for all your help guys, I guess i'll keep on truck'in at -12 to -6db.

- Idgeit
 
16 bit

i'm recording at 16 bit ...should i follow this advice also ? - 12 Db when tracking ????

and avoid going above - 6 Db when mixing down?

and What about Normalizing in Sound Forge??? good idea?
 
You should use a limiter or a hard compressor with a lo threshold of about 0 for the limiter or around -1.5 for the compressor.
This will give you can acheive a hotter signal coming into the desk without clipping. If you are working with analogue you can get a away with clipping more, but if you are working with digital, the only thing i would say you can get away with clipping is drums like the kik and snare at tracking. (only seldom clips though)
 
I'm going with Massive on this, -10dBfs too -6dBfs being my typical tracking/mixing range. I Master to about -2dBfs, and forget Normalizing, if everything else was done properly you shouldn't need it (Use it only if you REALLY have too).
 
ecktronic said:
You should use a limiter or a hard compressor with a lo threshold of about 0 for the limiter or around -1.5 for the compressor.
Click to expand...
Maybe on individual tracks, NEVER on the mix buss.

Rule of thumb - Never do anything to the mix buss for the sake of volume. Even in 16-bit, it's the easiest way to aim right at your own foot.

If buss limiting is used in the mastering stage, that's one thing. But you should start with a mix that's as clean as possible. A limited mix has already been compromised.

Think of limiting as "limiting what you can do later."
 
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