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Tips on recording for a newbie

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blindhippie:
I am trying to get into live music recording and i am using my iRiver with RockBox and REP. I recorded my first show and have a little problem. I am a total techno-retard, as you will see, so bear with me.

I used the "Live" AGC setting, and i was under the impression that it would adjust the gain to the correct level "automataically," so i didn't make any changes to the initial gain settings, which were somwhere around 0. I was seeing the meters work, so i figured all was fine. I didn't realize how slow the gain would increase, so now my recording gets gradually louder, eventually reaching the optimum level after about 20 minutes.

Questions:
What should I set the gain for to start out if i am recording a moderately loud rock show?

How can you tell what the peak meters are reaching? There are no numbers on the meters.

How do i know what dB level to set the clipping limit for?

Finally, and this is non-RockBox related, but if anyone could help it would be great, is there any way i can correct this using Sound Forge? I have that but don't really know how to use it for something like that and i couldn't find any support for it. I think the Graphic Dynamics effect is what i want, but i can't figure out the settings (threshold, ratio, attack, release). anybody know where there is a good explanation of that?

Sorry. I probably got no business with this stuff. I can't understand half of what you guys are talking about in these forums.

petur:

--- Quote from: blindhippie on January 29, 2007, 11:23:31 PM ---I am trying to get into live music recording and i am using my iRiver with RockBox and REP. I recorded my first show and have a little problem. I am a total techno-retard, as you will see, so bear with me.
--- End quote ---

No problem, at least you got the equipment and firmware right ;) But a lot more depends on what microphones you use...


--- Quote from: blindhippie on January 29, 2007, 11:23:31 PM ---I used the "Live" AGC setting, and i was under the impression that it would adjust the gain to the correct level "automataically," so i didn't make any changes to the initial gain settings, which were somwhere around 0. I was seeing the meters work, so i figured all was fine. I didn't realize how slow the gain would increase, so now my recording gets gradually louder, eventually reaching the optimum level after about 20 minutes.

--- End quote ---
Most live show tapers don't use the AGC except in its Safety mode


--- Quote from: blindhippie on January 29, 2007, 11:23:31 PM ---What should I set the gain for to start out if i am recording a moderately loud rock show?

--- End quote ---
I mostly set it to +15dB and enable AGC Safety... At the end of the show it ends up at around +5dB to +8dB but that's just experience: get to know your mics and gear, don't expect the first show to be perfect. And always go on the safe side!


--- Quote from: blindhippie on January 29, 2007, 11:23:31 PM ---How can you tell what the peak meters are reaching? There are no numbers on the meters.

How do i know what dB level to set the clipping limit for?

--- End quote ---
The scale can be configured, default has 0dB on the right side so if it reaches that it will clip.
The cliplight will activate on 0dB I think, hence 'cliplight'


--- Quote from: blindhippie on January 29, 2007, 11:23:31 PM ---Finally, and this is non-RockBox related, but if anyone could help it would be great, is there any way i can correct this using Sound Forge? I have that but don't really know how to use it for something like that and i couldn't find any support for it. I think the Graphic Dynamics effect is what i want, but i can't figure out the settings (threshold, ratio, attack, release). anybody know where there is a good explanation of that?

--- End quote ---
I haven't fiddeled with dynamic range compression because I can't find a setting that sounds ok for me.

I can recommend reading around at http://www.taperssection.com (registration required) for mor info on recording. Get good mics and, for rock concerts, a battery box or mic amp. It did wonders for me.

blindhippie:
Thanks, Petur. I have mics (AKG 300s), a pre-amp, and battery pack that a friend has loaned me (he has another rig, so i think he'll let me keep this one for a while, especially if i send him some good shows). I was able to select sections of the recording and adjust the gain using the Dynamics effect. you can boost the output along a line so that the increase is greater at certain levels to match what you are looking for. I' m not sure how it sounds, though. gotta test it some today. I think my next effort will come out much better, now that i have read the manual and some of the posts. :D

petur:
nice to hear... sounds like you've got the stuff you need :)

Set the gain of the pre-amp so that your signal reaches around 0dB with the gain on your iriver set to 10dB, that gives you 10dB headroom the AGC-safety can use.

If in doubt, set the gain safe enough and boost it in an editor later. Better a little hiss as distortion.

just my thoughts as amateur recorder ;)

westkc3:
Try normalizing the file before splitting the tracks.  

Normalization raises or lowers the overall amplitude or loudness level of a sound file to a selected point, generally up to where the loudest amplitude peak in the file rests just below the 0dB clipping level The clipping level is the cut-off point where the audio signal information can be accurately digitized.

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