The recording level and sound quality are always of concern to those who are professional or amateur in recording. The final result of the work largely depends on the correct setting of all parameters.
Rule number one can be considered as follows: the better the incoming signal, the less problems with it in the process, and the better the recording. When you record sound from a microphone, you need the signal level to fluctuate within 6db. This is due to both the recording level and the sound input. Of course, it is difficult for an unprepared person to speak exactly, with the same strength and therefore his individual words will go beyond – 6 decibels.
Most often, voice is recorded in 44.1 kHz/24 bit format for audio and 48 kHz for video, which is a multiple of the video format in 24 frames. The recording format may be determined by the end medium in order to avoid re-recalculating the signal at a different frequency – re-distortion. This process can sometimes cause distortions.
It is advisable to keep the average level of digital recording by indicators in the region of 12 dB with peaks of 6 (one bit). One should not fear too quiet a level, because the 24 bit quantization depth allows you to achieve a theoretical range of 144 dB. This is more than enough and often exceeds the dynamic range of the microphone and preamp. But exceeding the recording level can lead to digital distortion – clippings, and spoil the double to the root.
Even if you have a large-format mixing console, consider using a small portable mixer to monitor the vocalist. Obtaining a high-quality monitoring mix in headphones for the vocalist is the most important task when recording vocals. Do not spare the time it takes to set the right musical balance.
In a word, adjust the sound so that when recording, its indicator jumps within 0 -6 db. Who has a weak microphone sensitivity – add an input level, who has a large one – put it in the middle.
You need to experiment here, otherwise. Make a number of doubles, draft records, and look at the quality of the signal. If the record is quiet, it’s not good. If it is loud, so it goes over, it cracks – it is also bad. You need to study your sound path, how it works.
