Recording Levels

Joe.shaffer · #1 02-11-2009, 06:56 PM

Hey guys, I've got a problem

So I'm recording in my first home studio and I'm having some trouble with my levels. When I track my bass the output is very low. I'm going from the out on my pre to a mixing board into a USB link. The master out on the pre is just about as high as I can go without clipping on the channel, and the input levels on the software look good. I tried going from the DI out on one of my combo amps to see if this fixed the problem, but, lo and behold the same issue. If I try to amplify the signal to a usable level on the software side it clips.. hard. So I am at a loss, please help!

Jehos · #2 02-12-2009, 07:30 AM

Transients will kill you--you need some kind of outboard compression BEFORE you hit your mixing board. If your preamp doesn't have a compressor you could put one between the preamp and the board. The compressor will allow you to turn up the gain on the board more before you clip, causing your bass to be overall louder.

You're still not going to reach CD levels though, modern music has been compressed and maximized all to hell in the mastering process. That's just tough to do at home.

fretlessrock · #3 02-12-2009, 07:59 AM

Joe... if you could be a little more specific about your gear, and what connections you are making, that would help. It sounds like you are saying that you have plenty of level at the pre, and plenty at the mixer, but you aren't getting that level to your DAW? What is a USB link? A USB Interface? What output are you using from the mixer? What is the input like on the USB link? It sounds like that is the mismatch.

What you want is to get a handle on your gain structure, and right now it sounds messed up. You probably have a gain or impedance mismatch in there somewhere and you need to fix that first. I record a lot of bass with no compression on the front end and it works fine.

My chain is Bass - DI - Motu896HD Mic Pre Input - DAW

The DI matches the bass to the mic pre, and I can set gain on the interface to get my raw signal where I want it (not clipping, usable source level for any post processing).

Compression is useful, but not necessary, and if you are struggling to get a proper level then adding a new device (and one that has a learning curve of its own) on top of that is probably not helpful.

Joe.shaffer · #4 02-12-2009, 12:22 PM

I'm using a Behringer UCA200 interface with the CD/Tape outs (RCA) from the board. Everything off the board is being recorded as a single stereo track.

Jehos · #5 02-12-2009, 12:55 PM

Did you download the drivers? Google says there's some volume setting that needs to be turned up for the Behringer. No idea what it is, I don't have one.

Nick Kay · #6 02-12-2009, 01:04 PM

What board is it? It might be putting out -10dBm from the tape outs (very common) while the interface is expecting +4dBV.

WalterBush · #7 02-12-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

What board is it? It might be putting out -10dBm from the tape outs (very common) while the interface is expecting +4dBV.

This was my first thought, too. Most interfaces these days are switchable between the two; check your manual.