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Hey,
So I've been messing around with a digital recorder (Fostex MR-8) and its a
blast. However, the level is too low. In other words, I'll record myself and
then transfer it to my PC where I'll mix it into an mp3. When I see the
waveform on the software I am using, the amplitude is small; thus the volume
is low, and I have to turn up the computers volume to hear it properly.
The recorder has got a trim control for the mic input, and if I have it full
up, I get some clipping when I play an accented note or play a loud ringing
chord. So I back the trim down a little, but now the overall level is low. I
could turn up the amp, but I don't want to blast the house anymore than I
am. I've got the mic right up against the speaker grille. Any suggestions?
Would putting a mixer in front of the recorder help? Move the mic back and
turn the amp up a bit?
I'm totally new to this, so any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
BN
Brian,
Check on your PC software and look for a function called "Normalize". If
it has it, highlight the entire piece and apply the effect. See what that
does for you.
The effect you're trying to get is that of a compressor. A compressor is
basically like having someone sitting at your board who can turn down the
input volume when it gets past the threshold you've specified. Imagine
telling your wife, "OK, when I get too loud, turn me down, but then when I
get quiet again, turn me back up." That's what a compressor does. See if
your recorder has some kind of built in compression. I have a Sony handheld
DAT recorder i use for recording stuff live, and it has a built in
compressor. However, I never use it (the compressor) because it's threshold
curve is EXTREMELY aggressive and its sucks the energy out of every loud hit
a band has, so in turn I have to record with a lower input volume.
Ever wonder how Kurt Cobain could whisper into a mic and then SCREAM into
it in the same breath without it clipping? An analog tube compressor, that's
how.
As a sidenote, this is an aspect of recording where analog stomps
digital's ass. When you send too much audio into the codec of a digital
recorder, it can't resolve it into data and any clipping you hear back is
digital garbage created because you crossed the threshold, which is VERY
defined. Tape has it's own natural compression because of it's physical
characteristics, which gives you a bit of wiggle room when you start to get
close to your threshold, which lends to some really cool sounds.
If you don't subscribe, you should absolutely head over to and sign up for a free subscription to TapeOp
magazine. It's an incredible mag which is offered to anyone who wants it for
free, because they make all of their dough through advertising. Tons of
useful information about recording techniques and devices as well as great
interviews with knowledgeable engineers and producers.
-Dano
-=The Nebulas=-
>From: "Brian Neal" <>
>Reply-To:
>To: <>
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Home Recording Question
>Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 20:16:21 -0600
>
>Hey,
>So I've been messing around with a digital recorder (Fostex MR-8) and its a
>blast. However, the level is too low. In other words, I'll record myself
>and
>then transfer it to my PC where I'll mix it into an mp3. When I see the
>waveform on the software I am using, the amplitude is small; thus the
>volume
>is low, and I have to turn up the computers volume to hear it properly.
>
>The recorder has got a trim control for the mic input, and if I have it
>full
>up, I get some clipping when I play an accented note or play a loud ringing
>chord. So I back the trim down a little, but now the overall level is low.
>I
>could turn up the amp, but I don't want to blast the house anymore than I
>am. I've got the mic right up against the speaker grille. Any suggestions?
>Would putting a mixer in front of the recorder help? Move the mic back and
>turn the amp up a bit?
>
>I'm totally new to this, so any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>BN
>
>
>.
>Visit for archived messages,
>bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>groups.yahoo.com/group/SurfGuitar101 for archived messages, bookmarks,
>files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
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Hey Dan,
Thanks for the reply. I do think my software has a normalize
function, and I can try that. Now that I think about it, I may have
just tweaked something the wrong way or had some faders too far down
when I was mixing. I'm not sure, I've definitely got some more
experimenting to do. But it is pretty frustrating when you hear a
sharp, snappy, aggressive guitar tone with your ears as you play,
but when you go back and listen to the recording its faint and kind
of washed out.
How about a mic preamp? Would that help boost the gain of the mic?
It seems kind of odd that I have this mic pointed right into the
speaker of a Showman with the volume up on 3, but the recording
sounds like the mic is a block away from the amp.
How are most bands recording CD's these days? Did the Nebulas step
into an actual "real" recording studio? Didn't the Infrareds record
their latest on home stuff?
How about the Mach IV? Ferenc? Mel?
Anyone else with a band please feel free to jump in here.
When you record for an album, are you playing at stage level
volumes, as if doing a live show?
Well I have a lot to learn, and I'll definitely sign up for that
magazine. Thanks again, and looking forward to any reponses.
BN
>
>How about a mic preamp? Would that help boost the gain of the mic?
Depends on the mic. A large diaphragm condenser is DEFINITELY going to need
a mic-pre, where as an AT 822 will not.
>It seems kind of odd that I have this mic pointed right into the
>speaker of a Showman with the volume up on 3, but the recording
>sounds like the mic is a block away from the amp.
>
>How are most bands recording CD's these days? Did the Nebulas step
>into an actual "real" recording studio?
Sure did. If you go to our site, click on the photos page and look at the
random images gallery, the images towards the bottom are shots from our
recording session for the new album.
Didn't the Infrareds record
>their latest on home stuff?
They sure did. Not only on home hardware, but hundreds of miles away from
each other. a true feat in my book.
>When you record for an album, are you playing at stage level
>volumes, as if doing a live show?
Not in our case. We dial it in just to the point where the amp is being
driven...find it's "sweet spot" and go from there.
-Dano
_________________________________________________________________
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Well I did some more futzing around, playing with mic placement and the trim
controls. Clearly with some practice I can get more level without clipping.
Thanks for the advice, I am sure I'll be asking for more.
BN
and one must not forget that Tape Op magazine is put out by "Scary" Larry Crane
@ Jackpot Studios who has recorded Satan's Pilgrims!
----- Original Message -----
From: -=Dan Ware=-
To:
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 7:45 PM
Subject: RE: [SurfGuitar101] Home Recording Question
If you don't subscribe, you should absolutely head over to and sign up for a free subscription to TapeOp
magazine. It's an incredible mag which is offered to anyone who wants it for
free, because they make all of their dough through advertising. Tons of
useful information about recording techniques and devices as well as great
interviews with knowledgeable engineers and producers.
-Dano
-=The Nebulas=-
>From: "Brian Neal" <>
>Reply-To:
>To: <>
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Home Recording Question
>Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 20:16:21 -0600
>
>Hey,
>So I've been messing around with a digital recorder (Fostex MR-8) and its a
>blast. However, the level is too low. In other words, I'll record myself
>and
>then transfer it to my PC where I'll mix it into an mp3. When I see the
>waveform on the software I am using, the amplitude is small; thus the
>volume
>is low, and I have to turn up the computers volume to hear it properly.
>
>The recorder has got a trim control for the mic input, and if I have it
>full
>up, I get some clipping when I play an accented note or play a loud ringing
>chord. So I back the trim down a little, but now the overall level is low.
>I
>could turn up the amp, but I don't want to blast the house anymore than I
>am. I've got the mic right up against the speaker grille. Any suggestions?
>Would putting a mixer in front of the recorder help? Move the mic back and
>turn the amp up a bit?
>
>I'm totally new to this, so any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>BN
>
>
>.
>Visit for archived messages,
>bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>groups.yahoo.com/group/SurfGuitar101 for archived messages, bookmarks,
>files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Find out everything you need to know about Las Vegas here for that getaway.
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
groups.yahoo.com/group/SurfGuitar101 for archived messages, bookmarks, files,
polls, etc.
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