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Hey all --

When making sure I'm getting good levels into my Focusrite ISA 220,
I'm wondering if i should go by the VU Meter or the Digital Input Meter?

I find that If i make sure the input on the VU is getting nice levels
then i can get some nice low compression...

But if i go the other route and jack up the gain so I'm getting lots of signal on the Digital meter, then compression is impossible.. even at a +5db Threshold its compressing about -8db... and the O/L light keeps flashing.

Is the digital meter more for the A/D option?

Comments

anonymous Tue, 05/04/2004 - 20:27

well first off I would forget about paying all that much attention to the meters. I would go by what my ears said. I've often gotten a great sound only to look and see some whacked out meter readings. It seems like you have a sound that you like when you get it to a certain point on the VU meter. I would go there and then forget about meters and fine tune with your ears. As for the serious compression I have looked over and seen the same on an LA2A or 1176 and everyone thought the sound rocked so I left it. Just remember that you can't undo heavy compression so make sure the sound is working in the track.