Very annoying...

[DaveDrummer]

My band just recorded a whole practice session and the singers mic was clipping on the tape. I was using a sub-mixer so theres no way I can overdub or turn it down or anything..annoying..anyone else, what are your techniques for a soundtest?

 

[Stealthtech]

I generally check the meters and have the singer sing a short clip of the loudest parts of his songs as a test. Then I playback and preview...if all is well it should be good for the show.

 

[sonicpaint]

Good suggestion.

Stealthtech has a good suggestion but if you'd like some more insurance you could always apply a compressor in the vocal chain. This way you can control those peaks causing the clipping.

Good luck,
sonicpaint

 

[glynb]

Also

When you've got the singer to do a practice and set the level, take it down a notch or two extra, because chances are once he/she gets going and into it they will blast it out a lot louder than you expected!! Always happens.

BTW. Why don't you record one song, then take the time to play it back and look for any clipping. Although it wastes a bit of time and people start getting impatient, at least it may prevent a whole ruined recording.