OK, sorry for the newbie question.
I'm recording into T through a M-Audio FastTrack USB interface. While recording, with the input device selected so that I can see the input level meter at the bottom of the screen, no matter how much I crank up the incoming signal, the meter tops out at around -6dB, as if it is getting clipped right there; never going above it or anywhere near the 0dB. So, I sometimes get clipping and distortion from my input device, even though the meter in T never ever goes above -6dB.
I hope I'm explaining this so someone understands. I assume there is a setting somewhere to allow me to get accurate input up to 0dB before it starts clipping.
Also: in that same panel, what does the "trigger level" setting do?
Thanks!
simple question re: recording levels
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Have you recently clicked on the input arrow while watching the levels? If not, then you are looking at the Master level and not the level of what comes in.
Somewhere there is a setting where the 0dB mark should be. For convenience that is set by default at -6dB so there is 6dB of "headroom". A signal at the master of +6dB is about to clip and distort.
The -6dB you see is actually 0dB because of this setting I just described. The inputs can't ever go louder than that, since the signal will clip.
Keep your input levels a bit lower, and its OK...
Somewhere there is a setting where the 0dB mark should be. For convenience that is set by default at -6dB so there is 6dB of "headroom". A signal at the master of +6dB is about to clip and distort.
The -6dB you see is actually 0dB because of this setting I just described. The inputs can't ever go louder than that, since the signal will clip.
Keep your input levels a bit lower, and its OK...
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 17 posts since 5 Feb, 2005
OK, but doesn't it just start to clip at -6dB then? What's the difference?C00kie wrote:
The -6dB you see is actually 0dB because of this setting I just described. The inputs can't ever go louder than that, since the signal will clip.
Keep your input levels a bit lower, and its OK...
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
I think you understand it correctly. Yes, it will have clipped when the meter shows -6dB.elGringo wrote:OK, but doesn't it just start to clip at -6dB then? What's the difference?
On an input meter this is not very usefull, but on the output it can be. Then you can go a bit over 0dB without clipping.
Some people like to see the meters going into the reds. I decided I did not want to fool myself, and changed the setting so 0dB is really 0dB.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 17 posts since 5 Feb, 2005
Yes; exactly. I would like to change it too, but I can't find where to do it. (thanks for your responses, btw)C00kie wrote:Some people like to see the meters going into the reds. I decided I did not want to fool myself, and changed the setting so 0dB is really 0dB.
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
No problem
Don't have Tracktion at hand right now, otherwise I could point you to it. It's somewhere in the Settings tab, you know.. If you start Tracktion there is Projects and Settings. Dig in and you'll find it, there aren't that many pages to wade through. Ehm... under User Settings maybe?
Don't have Tracktion at hand right now, otherwise I could point you to it. It's somewhere in the Settings tab, you know.. If you start Tracktion there is Projects and Settings. Dig in and you'll find it, there aren't that many pages to wade through. Ehm... under User Settings maybe?
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Dig a bit deeper, there definitely is something set to 6dB (or -6) somewhere. Maybe in the "miscellaneous" settings?
Anybdy with Tracktion at hand can point this out, please?
I think the "trigger level" is used to automatically start recording. Handy if you need two hands at your instrument and/or do not sit near the PC. I never used that, the help file of Tracktion should make it clear.
Anybdy with Tracktion at hand can point this out, please?
I think the "trigger level" is used to automatically start recording. Handy if you need two hands at your instrument and/or do not sit near the PC. I never used that, the help file of Tracktion should make it clear.
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- KVRAF
- 3299 posts since 7 May, 2004 from Athens, Greece
just a minute COOkie
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- KVRAF
- 3299 posts since 7 May, 2004 from Athens, Greece
Do these help?
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Ok, thanks. I think in this case it is the same on PC and Mac.elGringo wrote:I should mention that I'm using the Mac OSX version
Not yet I'm afraid, but thanks anyway Zeoy! Tomorrow I'll have a look where it was (no time tonight I'm afraid)zeoy wrote:Do these help?
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- KVRAF
- 3299 posts since 7 May, 2004 from Athens, Greece
Sorry but I couldn't find anything saying something about 6db.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
That's not it in the first picture?
At the bottom where it says "input gain" you have it set to 0dB, not -6 dB. Which is what you already want.
2 other places to look--
A) On the FastTrack itself. Is there an output knob? It might be set so that it only outputs at -6dB, which means that you will still be clipping the hardware device itself on the input , but it will STILL only truly output -6 dB. There may not be such a knob on the Fasttrack, though; I'm not familiar with it.
B) In your Delta mixer. You might have your level sliders set in such a way that it's only sending your host -6dB. What about the toggle box for "consumer" vs. "pro" level? I don't have it in front of me, and I'm not an expert-- but it seems to me that there's a toggle box for an automatic trim of X amount of dB depending on the hardware used in conjunction with the Fasttrack (ie. consumer vs. pro)
Greg
At the bottom where it says "input gain" you have it set to 0dB, not -6 dB. Which is what you already want.
2 other places to look--
A) On the FastTrack itself. Is there an output knob? It might be set so that it only outputs at -6dB, which means that you will still be clipping the hardware device itself on the input , but it will STILL only truly output -6 dB. There may not be such a knob on the Fasttrack, though; I'm not familiar with it.
B) In your Delta mixer. You might have your level sliders set in such a way that it's only sending your host -6dB. What about the toggle box for "consumer" vs. "pro" level? I don't have it in front of me, and I'm not an expert-- but it seems to me that there's a toggle box for an automatic trim of X amount of dB depending on the hardware used in conjunction with the Fasttrack (ie. consumer vs. pro)
Greg
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 17 posts since 5 Feb, 2005
Doesn't seem to be. I'd really like to figure this out, as it would be a lot easier to see what my input level is if the meter stretches all the way to 0dB.Lunch Money wrote:That's not it in the first picture?
