Forum - Main Forums : Recording Techniques

SOS Forum

Today's Active Topics · FORUM INDEX · Search Forum · Who's Online? · FAQs/Help · Calendar

Main Forums >> Recording Techniques

Print Thread

Pages: 1

jpearce1b
member

Joined: 12/09/03
Posts: 103

Advice Re Recording Vinyl using Computer
#33791 - 13/10/04 05:43 PM

Hi - I am after some advice re recording vinyl (a DJ mix) to my Mac (using DSP Quattro Pro 2track audio editor). What type of compression settings should I use to 'gently' keep things from distorting?

When recording digitally will any signal over 0db distort? its pretty much imposible to keep the odd peak here and there going over 0db. I like to record as loud as possible to minimise surface noise etc. - am I better of recording much quieter then normalising?

I can insert Audiounit / VST FX using this software so any advice re general settings etc. greatly appreciated.

Post Extras:

John Willett
Sound-Link ProAudio

Joined: 07/03/00
Posts: 11961
Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Re: Advice Re Recording Vinyl using Computer new

[Re: jpearce1b]
#33843 - 13/10/04 07:44 PM

Quote jpearce1b:

When recording digitally will any signal over 0db distort?

Yes

--------------------
John - Sound-Link ProAudio
President - Federation Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

Post Extras:

Tomás Mulcahy
active member

Joined: 25/04/01
Posts: 2816
Loc: Cork, Ireland.

Re: Advice Re Recording Vinyl using Computer new

[Re: jpearce1b]
#33866 - 13/10/04 08:23 PM

The recording level will have no effect on the surface noise- that's "built in" to the record, as it were. This noise occurs at the needle, so it's already there before the sound gets to your volume control. It's mixed in with the music, so the noise will always have same level relationship to the music. Does that make sense?

You should be safe with a peak level of -6dB; that will allow for level variations between different pressings, and your use of the mixer.

You might still get overs caused by clicks and pops, but these are of a short duration and won't affect the sound quality in any major way.

--------------------
madtheory creations
Synths and pianos for Kontakt

Post Extras:

jpearce1b
member

Joined: 12/09/03
Posts: 103

Re: Advice Re Recording Vinyl using Computer new

[Re: Tomás Mulcahy]
#33896 - 13/10/04 08:58 PM

Ok, thanks so I should just try to max out at -6db rather than 0. makes sense. I also have a couple of ReeltoReels, I think im going to experiment going via one of them and see if i can use tape saturation to my benefit..

its very hard to 2nd guess the dynamics of one track to the next to get a relatively normalised mix overall, especially considering each pressing can be very different

Post Extras:

Tomás Mulcahy
active member

Joined: 25/04/01
Posts: 2816
Loc: Cork, Ireland.

Re: Advice Re Recording Vinyl using Computer new

[Re: jpearce1b]
#33939 - 13/10/04 09:56 PM

I wouldn't bother with tape saturation- your recording music that's already been mastered. IMHO it would be more satisfying to try that experiment with your own music recordings.

I wouldn't worry about the level differences going down- it's all part of the DJ's performance. It's a mistake to think each track should be at the same level- even a DJ set requires dynamics!! Anyway, what the meter says does not equate with what your mind perceives. Just trust your ears!

Plus, you can always ride the levels afterwards in the digital editor, if you're not happy with the performance.

--------------------
madtheory creations
Synths and pianos for Kontakt

Post Extras:

Pages: 1

Extra Information
0 registered and 68 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator: David Etheridge, James Perrett, zenguitar, Martin Walker, Forum Admin, Hugh Robjohns, Zukan, Frank Eleveld, Will Betts,	Forum Permissions You cannot start new topics You cannot reply to topics HTML is disabled UBBCode is enabled	Rating: Thread views: 1572