californiamusic
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
- Total Posts : 223
- Joined: 2005/08/07 10:06:46
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Status: offline
Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
Hi All. When recording audio tracks, what levels on the track meter is everyone using to get a hot level & stay safe from clipping? Same goes for mixing down? ; )
Intel i7-4770 - 3.9GHZ DDR3 - 32GB RAM Sonar PlatinumPresonus Studio 192 Motu 2408 MK3 Waves v9 Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilion Novation V-Station, Gladiator, ReFX Nexus, Lounge Lizard, Alchemy www.soundcloud.com/glenntolliver
|
ba_midi
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 14061
- Joined: 2003/11/05 16:58:18
- Location: NYC
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 10:33:29
(permalink)
californiamusic
Hi All. When recording audio tracks, what levels on the track meter is everyone using to get a hot level & stay safe from clipping? Same goes for mixing down? ; )
Keep in mind that if you're recording at 24bit audio you have a large signal to noise ratio to begin with. Getting "Hot" levels is not really that important in digital recording but as long as you don't clip (ie, go above 0 dbfs) you're fine. So if you choose to record "hot" that's fine too but, again, don't clip ;) Working in 24bit audio also allows you to NOT record so hot and still get good signal as long as the other elements in the signal chain are good and you get decent levels, you'll be (or should be) good all around.
|
Kalle Rantaaho
Max Output Level: -5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 7005
- Joined: 2006/01/09 13:07:59
- Location: Finland
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 10:44:22
(permalink)
In 24 bit the usually recommended average levels are around -12 dB, peaks going higher.
SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre - Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc. The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
|
Resonant Order
Max Output Level: -78 dBFS
- Total Posts : 647
- Joined: 2003/12/02 13:45:33
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 12:18:47
(permalink)
Unless you're going over 0db, the peaks are pretty irrelevant. What you want to pay attention to are the rms levels, which is the average sum of your audio level. Most modern sound cards are calibrated for -18db rms, so that's the sweet spot I try to hit while recording. Since most plugs are optimized also for -18db rms, it means that you won't have to constantly turn everything down when you mix. Once I quit trying to hit as close to zero as possible, which was a habit I picked up from recording to tape and early 16 bit digital recorders, my mixes came out way better.
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Music at Night, 1931- Aldous Huxley
|
John
Forum Host
- Total Posts : 30467
- Joined: 2003/11/06 11:53:17
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 12:20:40
(permalink)
My answer is there is no standard just don't screw it up!
|
ba_midi
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 14061
- Joined: 2003/11/05 16:58:18
- Location: NYC
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 15:16:19
(permalink)
John
My answer is there is no standard just don't screw it up!
LOL :P
|
aleef
Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
- Total Posts : 431
- Joined: 2006/09/14 20:02:26
- Location: la/ca
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 16:04:35
(permalink)
I always try to have alot of headroom. i got books written by so-called audio pros that have stated "you want to record as hot as possible, without going over 0db" and it created alot of confusion and misinformation. everybody thats recording has a different S/N ratio, because of equipment indifferences ..
Intel i7 3820 3.6 GHz ASUS Sabertooth X79 16Gb SonarX2PE ProTools 11 RME HDSP9632
|
Lanceindastudio
Max Output Level: -29 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4604
- Joined: 2004/01/22 02:28:30
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 16:29:15
(permalink)
just dont clip the signal-
Also if using a preamp, to avoid background noise when recording in at least 24/44, you can record at a lower signal since the 24 bit set up records plenty of detail.
Not so hot recordings can help avoid background noise.
Lance
Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard i7 3770k CPU 32 gigs RAM Presonus AudioBox iTwo Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51 Presonus Eureka Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
|
fitzj
Max Output Level: -61 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1487
- Joined: 2005/10/13 11:56:37
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/07 16:37:06
(permalink)
-10 to -12 during recording. -3 to -6 fully mixed Mastering -01
|
BluerecordingStudios
Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
- Total Posts : 916
- Joined: 2005/05/22 07:19:10
- Location: Nitra, SLOVAKIA
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/08 05:37:21
(permalink)
fitzj
-10 to -12 during recording. -3 to -6 fully mixed Mastering -01
+1 
|
MondoArt
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
- Total Posts : 226
- Joined: 2011/11/29 18:51:10
- Location: Toronto
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/08 20:36:31
(permalink)
Yep!
fitzj
-10 to -12 during recording. -3 to -6 fully mixed Mastering -01
|
southpaw3473
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 782
- Joined: 2008/04/22 16:50:41
- Location: Western MA
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/08 23:21:47
(permalink)
BluerecordingStudios
fitzj
-10 to -12 during recording. -3 to -6 fully mixed Mastering -01
+1
+2.
We'll not risk another frontal assault-that rabbit's dynamite!!!
Tommy Byrnes Sonar Platinum Win 10 Pro x64 AMD FX 8350 Eight-Core 4.00GHz/ ASRock 970 Extreme4/ 16 gigs RAMUA Apollo Firewire/UA 2 Quad Satellite/ Focusrite OctoPre/Makie Onyx1220i Mixer THANK YOU!!!
|
John
Forum Host
- Total Posts : 30467
- Joined: 2003/11/06 11:53:17
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/08 23:30:11
(permalink)
I hate to say this guys but it really depends on what you are recording. Keeping it in a range that narrow may not work for concert music for example. I would like to know how those levels will work for you recording the 1812 Overture. And don't place the mic in front of the canon if at all possible. Unless you don't need it later. An amplified recording with sound reinforcement (a rock band) might fit there with compression. But the world of music is very diverse not to mention all other recording types. There are simply no rules. You do the best you can without going over zero dB. Because we are recording digitally and hopefully at 24 bits we need not be so anal about levels. Get a good workable signal and be happy.
post edited by John - 2012/04/08 23:55:37
|
djwayne
Max Output Level: -55 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2021
- Joined: 2005/08/07 17:27:09
- Location: USA
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/09 00:10:49
(permalink)
I've heard it said that to never ever go above -5db, that has worked well for me.
|
Guitarpima
Max Output Level: -34 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4125
- Joined: 2005/11/19 23:53:59
- Location: Terra 3
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/09 00:48:28
(permalink)
It all depends on what your project is. between -12db and -6db is always a great place to start. Remember, all the tracks are going to sum and 20 tracks peaking at -8db individually are probably going to sum over 0db on the main. You definitly don't want to go over 0db on the mains. IMO, it's best to peak around -2db on the main and leave the final increase in level for the mastering.
HTH
Notation, the original DAW. Everything else is just rote. We are who we are and no more than another. Humans, you people are crazy. Win 7 x64 X2 Intel DX58SO, Intel i7 920 2.66ghz 12gb DDR3 ASUS ATI EAH5750 650w PSU 4x WD HDs 320gb DVD, DVD RW Eleven Rack, KRK Rokit 8s and 10s sub
|
southpaw3473
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 782
- Joined: 2008/04/22 16:50:41
- Location: Western MA
- Status: offline
Re:Peek Recording levels - whats the general standard
2012/04/09 00:56:30
(permalink)
John
I hate to say this guys but it really depends on what you are recording. Keeping it in a range that narrow may not work for concert music for example. I would like to know how those levels will work for you recording the 1812 Overture. And don't place the mic in front of the canon if at all possible. Unless you don't need it later.
An amplified recording with sound reinforcement (a rock band) might fit there with compression. But the world of music is very diverse not to mention all other recording types. There are simply no rules. You do the best you can without going over zero dB.
Because we are recording digitally and hopefully at 24 bits we need not be so anal about levels. Get a good workable signal and be happy.
Good points John. I don't think I can get an orchestra into my little studio, though! Maybe a cannon? I know my wife would love to shoot one off at the studio at times. :) I do like to maintain headroom even when tracking so under -8 to -12 is the spot I shoot for. This works well for me.
We'll not risk another frontal assault-that rabbit's dynamite!!!
Tommy Byrnes Sonar Platinum Win 10 Pro x64 AMD FX 8350 Eight-Core 4.00GHz/ ASRock 970 Extreme4/ 16 gigs RAMUA Apollo Firewire/UA 2 Quad Satellite/ Focusrite OctoPre/Makie Onyx1220i Mixer THANK YOU!!!
|