KVR Audio

milosh_ · Post by **milosh_** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:30 am

Compyfox wrote: I was looking for a recording solution years ago that suited my workflow and was future proof. I completely switched to RME.

Just curious because i use Fireface800 at my studio.
How hard do you push RME converters when tracking drums?

cheers
milosh

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:52 am

I'm not using RME converters currently. I'm using the Digiface with a very limited stereo setup at the moment. (don't have the funds for a MultiFace as of this moment)

Even then, I'd not hit them harder than -6dBFS. Forget what you might have learned in schools (e.g. "record as loud as possible"), this is nonsense and doesn't keep you save from possible clipping.

Again, best combo while tracking and mixing is a calibrated VU (or RMS meter with shiftable reference level and 300ms rise/fall as ballistics) and Digital meter.

milosh_ · Post by **milosh_** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:11 pm

Compyfox wrote:I'm not using RME converters currently. I'm using the Digiface with a very limited stereo setup at the moment. (don't have the funds for a MultiFace as of this moment)

Even then, I'd not hit them harder than -6dBFS. Forget what you might have learned in schools (e.g. "record as loud as possible"), this is nonsense and doesn't keep you save from possible clipping.

Again, best combo while tracking and mixing is a calibrated VU (or RMS meter with shiftable reference level and 300ms rise/fall as ballistics) and Digital meter.

Thanks
I usually don't go over about -12dBfs. Drummers can be unpredictable

I was just curious what others do.

cheers
milosh

TreyM · Post by **TreyM** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:43 pm

milosh_ wrote:
Compyfox wrote:I'm not using RME converters currently. I'm using the Digiface with a very limited stereo setup at the moment. (don't have the funds for a MultiFace as of this moment)

Even then, I'd not hit them harder than -6dBFS. Forget what you might have learned in schools (e.g. "record as loud as possible"), this is nonsense and doesn't keep you save from possible clipping.

Again, best combo while tracking and mixing is a calibrated VU (or RMS meter with shiftable reference level and 300ms rise/fall as ballistics) and Digital meter.
Thanks
I usually don't go over about -12dBfs. Drummers can be unpredictable
I was just curious what others do.

cheers
milosh

I usually aim for -7dbFS on peaks for drum tracks. But I am re-thinking that strategy lately.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:30 am

Here's the question:
Are we talking about maximum peak? Or "average" peak (where some rouge maximum peaks can still happen)?

TreyM · Post by **TreyM** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:46 am

Maximum peak at -7dbFS has been my goal for drum transients.

milosh_ · Post by **milosh_** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:41 am

Compyfox wrote:Here's the question:
Are we talking about maximum peak? Or "average" peak (where some rouge maximum peaks can still happen)?

I was talking about average peak -12dBfs for snare so yeah max will be -7dbFS when drummer get angry

cheers
milo

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:09 pm

Then I say average -18dBFS and max -9dBFS. Though since we talk about transient heavy material, then I have a focus on the digital meter, and then I usually go for a range of -12dBFS to -9dBFS while recording. With samples or playback, I can peak in higher.

One way or another, if your setup your red zone to -6dBFS, it's still save from clipping either way.

Using a VU meter plugin for proper gain staging