Clipping while recording

Hey guys, long time Cakewalk user but new to Sonar X1 and computer-based recording. I'm having a good time recording my drums and getting a great sound. However I've noticed that there are some areas where I'm clipping a track with a snare hit or cymbal crash. I am recording my tracks naked - no processing. After tracking I add compression, EQ etc. Am I just recording a particular mic too hot or should I be adding compression DURING recording? My equipment is as follows: Sonar X1d, Win764 4GB RAM Thinkpad T61, Tascam US-1800, AKG 220 (overhead) SM57/Beta 52 for snare/kick close mics. I'm using the Glyn Johns method of drum recording, and I'm having excellent success. In you're interested, Glyn Johns essentially has an overhead and a side-fill mic both equidistant from the snare drum (in my case, exactly 46 in). Then fill in with a snare mic and a kick mic to fatten up the sound. Thanks for the replies!

I'm recording in 16 bit mode, so I'll look into 24 bit mode. Are you suggesting compression DURING recording then, to keep a lid on the levels? I had most of the levels about 0 dB, I'll give it a go again at -6 dB to see if that helps. First week of recording using a computer and Sonar so I'm learning as I go. Thanks for the tips.

Yep, 24 bit all the way. Read more if you want to, but you don't need to. Knowing why is not necessary, as long as you just do it in 24 bit you'll be fine!

Once in 24 bit, you can turn the gain RIGHT down. Hit your drums like crazy and see what the loudest peak is. Try to ensure this is less than -6dB. Or even lower is better. This just acts as a safety margin. It won't SOUND better, but it reduces the chance of you hitting a SUPER loud hit and resulting in clipping. Compression during tracking is usually not necessary, and usually only recommended for those who really know what they are doing. I have found with my set-up, even with the gain at a minimum, I can clip my microphones with a loud source. They don't have a pad switch. Compression could save you in a case like this, as long as it's right after the mic.

If you do have one or two overs (clips), you may be able to get away with the old copy/paste from another part of the drum track, depending on your situation. So if re-tracking is a big hassle or not possible, this may be a quick and easy solution. But it won't always work if you don't have an appropriate duplicate part.

Yeah.... turn the gain down to get a nice clean tracking session. 

Then listen to it on the playback. How does it sound?  

If you absolutely need to, there would be nothing wrong with using a compressor/limiter  on the incoming signal. I would use it to tame the peaks only. 

Some interfaces have built in DSP effects. On my Saffire, a compressor on the input is one of the FX that I can control. Look to see if your interface has that built in. Also a hardware based compressor/limiter would work fine too. 


Just like a guitarist has to experiment with miking a guitar or a cabinet to get the sound right..... so do drummers.  Play around and see what gives you the best tracking. 

I was only using compression during tracking via Sonar

You may or may not know this, but whatever you set up inside of Sonar, it will only ever record "dry" - you will NOT record the results of any Fx plugs you have in your Fx bin, they are only applied on playback where you can tweak them until you're happy with the result.

You can of course monitor what the Fx sound like during tracking by using the Input Echo feature, but they will not be recorded.

I read somewhere (dont know if it is true) that the start of the 'red' on analogue meters is the equivalent to -20dB on a digital meter. My previous experience came from recording on cassette decks in my youth where you always wanted to be peaking into the red, but i soon learned to leave plenty of head room on digital levels.

Its a shame digital meters dont start their red at -20dB. it would stop a lot of confusion

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