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Re: Distortions when recording tibetan singing bowls/gongs

Subject: Re: Distortions when recording tibetan singing bowls/gongs
From: "Klas Strandberg" klasstrandberg
Date: Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:57 pm ((PDT))
I think the use of "gain" and "recording level control" is a mess and
has been for a long time.

On most modern digital recorders it seems to be the same. For
example, I can feed a Zoom H4n 3,5 mm microphone input with a line
signal and set the recording "level" at ... 3.

IF a recorder has a "high" and "low" setting or a -20 db attenuation,
I think it is wise to presume that you have to use the "low" setting
or "-20db" if the signal is strong.

Klas.

At 20:05 2013-10-25, you wrote:
>I used to have this problem and never understood that the -20dB pad
>operates at a different amplifier stage from the level controls and
>meters. I had clipping even though the meters showed normal levels. Very
>puzzling.
>
>I'd also try the -20dB attenuation setting first and see if that solves it=
.
>
>John
>
>
> > If the Marantz has a -20db attenuation switch, it is likely that the
> > input stage has two gains, 0 and -20db.
> >
> > If the sound is so strong that you have to lower the recording wheel
> > to 4 (or below) it is possible that the input amplifier is clipping
> > when it is set to 0db gain. This will be heard, but not show on the
> > meters.
> > Then use the -20 db attenuation and turn up the wheel.
> >
> > I also agree with some of the others here: Sometimes we don't hear a
> > sound as distortion irl, but when recorded.
> >
> > Klas.
> >
> >
> >
> > At 05:01 2013-10-25, you wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Hi Klas,
> >>
> >>The Marantz does have a setting option for - 20db attenuation but I
> >>have it turned off. The Gain wheel is between 4 and 7 (out of 10). I
> >>can actually hear the distortions In the headphones while recording,
> >>however, the level is still between -20 and -10 dB so way below the
> >>0 dB threshold. I really don't know what can be causing this problem.
> >>
> >>Thanks,
> >>
> >>Eric
> >>
> >>
> >>On 25/10/2013, at 11:31 AM, Klas Strandberg
> >><<>> wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Does the Marantz have a - 20db attenuation, or similar?
> >>>Do you use it?
> >>>
> >>>At which number is the gain wheel when you record?
> >>>
> >>>Klas
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>At 02:12 2013-10-25, you wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Hi all,
> >>>>
> >>>>I've recently faced a problem that I am not sure how to solve and
> >>>>I was hoping to get some leads from you guys.
> >>>>
> >>>>The situation is that sometimes when I record tibetan singing
> >>>>bowls/gongs I get distortions in the recording that sound like if
> >>>>the recording is clipping, however, I am well below the 0 dB
> >>>>level, usually about -10 to -20 dB at the peak. I use two Rode
> >>>>NT5's and a Marantz PMD661 and the distortion is audible on both
> >>>> channels.
> >>>>Since I am well below the usual clipping level I am wondering if
> >>>>the vibrations that are created by the singing bowls/gongs somehow
> >>>>affect the microphone, like making the diaphragm vibrate. Has
> >>>>anyone come across a similar phenomenon?
> >>>>
> >>>>I look forward to your thoughts,
> >>>>
> >>>>Eric
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>Website:
> >>>><http://www.australian-nature-sounds.com/>www.australian-nature-
> sounds.com
> >>>>Facebook:
> >>>><http://bit.ly/ANS-Fa%20cebook>facebook.com/australian-nature-sounds
> >>>>iTunes:
> >>>><https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/australian-nature-sounds/id4
> 09513731>bit.ly/ANS-iTunes
> >>>>Amazon: <http://bit.ly/ANS-Amazon>bit.ly/ANS-Amazon
> >>>>YouTube: <http://bit.ly/ANS-YouTube_1>bit.ly/ANS-YouTube_1
> >>>>Soundcloud: <http://bit.ly/ANS-Soundcloud>bit.ly/ANS-Soundcloud
> >>>>iPhone app:
> >>>><https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/back-to-nature-australian/id511
> 847933?mt=3D8>bit.ly/ANS-iPhone-App
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>Telinga Microphones, Botarbo,
> >>>S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
> >>>Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
> >>>email: <>
> >>>website: www.telinga.com
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Telinga Microphones, Botarbo,
> > S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
> > Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
> > email: 
> > website: www.telinga.com
> >
>
>
>John Crockett
>
>Let us live in harmony with Earth
>And all creatures,
>That our lives may be a blessing.
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>"While a picture is worth a thousand words, a
>sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie Krause.
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
Telinga Microphones, Botarbo,
S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
email: 
website: www.telinga.com





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