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Re: Recording Levels

Subject: Re: Recording Levels
From: "Charles Veasey" veasec
Date: Thu May 7, 2009 7:56 pm ((PDT))
Thanks Martyn,

I definitely see the importance of keeping a consistent level in
recording, which I wasn't doing. But what is the significance of setting
the tone level to -30dB? You always record it at the beginning of each
track?

Charles

Martyn Stewart wrote:
>
>
> Charles
>
> The same system I turn the pot to 56.7DBA and leave it regardless of
> the distance of the subject. If the soundscape is quiet then so be it
> but turning the gain up makes it unnatural. I never have any problems
> with clipping if a subject passes the microphones screaming. If you
> are consistent with your settings, all your recordings will compliment
> each other if you ever have to use layering and mixing.
>
> With direct cabling from MKH30/40, after setting MS for stereo, first
> set your Tone Level on the 722 at -30dB. Then set input level at
> 56.7dBA (by adjusting the rotary pot just to the left of the "menu"
> button and viewing the momentary reading on the screen). Because the
> Sennheisers have virtually no variation between mics in the MKH
> series, this will provide a standard calibrated input level of 64dBA
> relative to a -30dB meter reading and will result in an accurate
> assessment of signal ranges for later analysis.
>
> Martyn
> *************************************
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>
> On May 7, 2009, at 6:12 PM, Charles Veasey wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Martyn's comment,
> >
> > "You have obviously jacked the gain up in this clip making it
> > difficult
> > to get around the hiss without being distracted."
> >
> > reminded me that I wanted to ask you all about setting recording
> > levels.
> > I'm using a MKH 30/40 and SD722 system as it seems that many other
> > people are on this list. When recording a generalized natural
> > soundscape
> > such as a dawn chorus at a fair distance from any particular creature,
> > it appears unlikely that the recording device is going to clip at any
> > level the preamp is set.
> >
> > I have been setting the preamp around +50-55.
> >
> > In post, when using the recording not for a background but as the
> > subject matter, I will have to boost the gain 10-20 dB. I am new to
> > this
> > recording system, but it seems that there is a point around +60 on the
> > SD's preamp that is starts to get exponentially nosier. So I think,
> > perhaps, it is best not to raise it all the way up.
> >
> > Just looking for some thoughts on this from more experienced nature
> > recordists, particularly those who are using the same system.
> >
> > thank you,
> > charles
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>










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