Re: Matching Gain Levels Mic Pre->Recorder

Usually one keeps the mic pres just below clipping to maximize signal to noise ratio. You didn't specify if you have an analog or digital recording device. At 16 bit digital, it is still useful to keep fairly hot recording levels so as not to get too few bits on the softest parts. At 24 bits the increased dynamic range makes it less of an issue. Typically in pop music recording, tape levels are kept high because the sound of tape compression produced by higher recording levels has been perceived as musically desireable.

Re: Matching Gain Levels Mic Pre->Recorder

Originally posted by RobertPhilbeck:
What would be considered optimum settings for matching gain levels between your outboard mic pre and recorder? My inclination is to run the mic pre as hot as possible, and run the input pres on the recorder as low as possible. This way the preamps on the recorder would have as little effect on the tone of the outboard preamp as possible. Correct? Ideas?
;)

You don't run an outboard preamp into the preamps of a recorder, you run them into the line inputs of the recorder.

If you are using a recorder that uses the same input for line and mic and uses a trim control to set the difference, then run the level as low as possible on the recorder and set your gain with the outboard preamp