Because It's about the level of conversational speech, and exactly 30
dB below the standard microphone calibration level of 94 dB.
> Dan, Why do you choose 64 dBA?
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 9:22 AM, Dan Dugan <> wrote:
>>> My current setup is a SD302 to a PCM-d50 and using a Sennheiser
>>> MKH-418s or Rode NT-1. My question is:
>>>
>>> When recording quiet ambient landscapes, what would be the best way
>>> (or your own method) to set the levels for this using the 302s gain
>>> and fader?
>>
>> First I would "line up" the meters on the mixer and the recorder
>> using
>> a test tone so the meters on both machines read the same. Mark or
>> tape
>> down the recorder's gain controls for that setting.
>>
>> I use a band-limited pink noise (200 Hz - 2 KHz) set to 64 dBA at the
>> measuring location. Then I put the recording mic on that spot and set
>> the recording gain (now only on the mixer) so that level produces -6
>> dBFS on the recorder. Then mark the mixer gain settings.
>>
>> I've found that kind of gain setting has worked for quiet places and
>> almost anything that happens except thunder.
>>
>> -Dan Dugan
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