Sooo... I have been using an ECHO Gina3g interface (PCI) for years now.
 
It sounds frikkin great, works great, etc.
 
The thing is, when recording in, I notice that I cannot get a very "thick" waveform with clipping on the way in.
 
The input meter on the Gina3g shows red and the waveform is not even close to the edge of the available space in when looking at the clip in track view.
 
I can add gain after of course if desired.
 
Of course, I record in 24 bit and even though the signal is not nearly as loud as I have seen on other systems, it is quite a good signal and the
background noise is quite low since I am not cranking the pre very high to avoid clipping.
 
Now, is this where more expensive units come in, i.e. HEADROOM?
 
Is this a perfect example of headroom, or lack there of?
 
I am considering getting a difference interface with like double the headroom if so!
 
Mike Mccue http://forum.cakewalk.com/Profile/10467/ (thanx for the Gauge microphone connection by the way. I use it on all vocals. My band just put a record out using it!), 
I know you have a lot of knowledge in this gear stuff, so have at it if you are taking a break from a kick ass session!
 
Lance
 
 

My belief is that a different audio interface won't give you more headroom.  It's the context of how and what you're recording.  i.e. ...a piano may have what appears to be a low level waveform, but with many spikes in it, whereas a heavy saturated guitar will give you your "thicker" waveform.  Different sound sources with varying degrees of dynamics will determine what I'm trying to describe.  However, I might consider using a hardware compressor and/or limiter before going into your Gina, realizing your sound shaping with that device will for the most part, be destructive in nature and hard if not impossible to reverse once recorded.
 
Digital devices unlike analog inputs are quite different in that once you exceed your threshold and into "clip-land", it happens instantly once you are over and into the "red" and typically sounds pretty bad.  Analog devices on the other hand are generally more forgiving and in some cases give desirable results in clipping.... Think guitar amps and overdriving reel to reel tape as examples.
 
If you like your Gina, I'd keep it and think more about what you're doing, that's going into the Gina in the first place.

Maybe you're getting analog clipping prior to the ADC?
 
It might be worth doing a test to see just how much analog headroom your interface has. Use an external sine wave source, such as a synthesizer or signal generator. If you have access to an oscilloscope you'll be able to determine exactly what the interface can handle before clipping. If the interface offers zero-latency monitoring, you should be able to monitor the analog output to see whether the analog circuitry is clipping.
 
Ideally, you should find that you clip digitally before you clip the analog components. If not, then the interface isn't providing adequate headroom.
 
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that your interface is inadequate, just that you have to know its limitations. If you're peaking at, say, -12 dB when you record, and there's no sign of analog clipping, then you're good.

I am going through a Presonus Eureka with a little bit to a good amount of compression to control it.
 
I like to record decently low to avoid clips if somebody suddenly hits a really loud note that the compressor cannot capture without being ugly sounding slammed.
 
Overall, I have enjoyed, since in 24 bit, recording at these somewhat low volumes to avoid clipping and have much less background noise, since 24 bit does get me plenty of signal.
 
Ok Bit, maybe Ill try that sine wave thing.
 
I just think I am hitting rd to fast, resulting in a low wave n vocals.
 
Then again, if it ain't broke, don't fix it lol.
 
The vocals sound VERY good.
 
We are getting very good feedback from major players in the industry on the vocal recordings, which is always nice. To be honest, I do not really need their opinion though. The recordings do simply sound good. I compare them with records I know I enjoy and they are right there with them after mixing and mastering.
Still, would be nice to avoid hitting red going into the Gina3g but still getting a pretty thick wave.
Ok thank you for some good feedback guys.
 
It just does look pretty to me when I see a wave form that was recorded covering 3/4 of the waveform picture, nice and big., but it
is pretty much a visual thing I think, because always sounds good.
 
I was hoping maybe a more expensive unit with more headroom would result in a louder recording without clipping the interface input.
 
FYI- the meter input DEFINITELY hits red before the analog output goes into the red!
 
Lance
 
 

,

Thanx Mike!
 
That did tell me a lot!
 
I think I will do some experimenting :)
 
This is for fun more than anything as I am indeed getting good recordings.
 
Also, thank you for the compliments man!
 
Cheers!
 
Lance

Only a true audio geek would question why their recordings sound so good. Power to ya, Lance.