Hi all,

Couldn't find this in the forum or via google, hence this question over here:

I'll be recording my band and unfortunately have to the engineering myself (I love engineering, I love playing, but prefer to focus on one thing at the time, but ok .. could be much worse). I hate to keep staring at my Logic session to check if there is no clipping going on in the input side of things but the metering in the mixer window is too small to effectively monitor from more than 1 meter away.

I try to record with gain as loud as possible without clipping (either on the mixer or in the audio interface), and generally take care to leave a margin enough to cope with peaks. However if someone moves closer to a mic or plays much louder than before we might run into the danger zone.

I am looking for a solution which allows me to monitor input levels and quickly spot clipping/peaks in a short glance so that I can take action as soon as possible. Just to be sure!

Do any of you have experience with this, or tips?

Thanks,
Regards,
Martijn

Quote 2M:

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I try to record with gain as loud as possible

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And here is your problem. There really is no need to record close to the end stops. It doesn't make any significant difference to the sound quality but it does make your life much harder -- especially when tracking a live band.

I'd strongly advise reverting to the tried and tested approach of a century of analogue recording. Leave around 20-24dB of headroom above the average levels, or 10-12dB above notional peaks.

That way, you're very unlikely to suffer transient clipping, even when people get a little more enthusiatic with their playing. I know working this way means the meters on Logic's channels will barely be of the bottom of the scale, and that isn't very helpful, but it's a proven technique that works reliably.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Thanks Hugh, I guess it means my concept of safe margin still lingers in the 16 bit era. I will experiment with this and go really safe, then check to see the quality etc. Thanks for the advice.

MM

In answer to your original question, you could get a copy of Audiofile Engineering's 'Spectre' plug-in bundle here.

It's a very useful bunch of audio analysis plugs, but the relevant point in this instance is that you can re-size the plugs - so for tracking, you could have a peak / overs meter the size of a 30 inch screen if need be. Probably enough to be seen from anywhere in the room you're playing and recording in.

Thanks! Looks good, will try that.