Recording volume

[codecks]

Hello,

I'm in the process of recording some samples for later re-use. At what volume should I record those sample ? 0db, -6db, something else ? What are the pros or cons at higher and/or lower volumes ?

[Ruso]

I always record them at whatever volume for ease and get a bulk of samples going, then using a batch converter inside soundforge I normalize to 0 db, compress, and trim off the quietness before and after the sound.


This is easy because you can sit there and record a couple hundred samples without having to adjust everything for each one.

[fredrik_h]

most obvious con when recording at a lower volume atleast is that you'll probably get a noise floor which you'll pull up.

but I'm curious here now, is it possible to do fade in/out in a batch-manner? let's say "fade in the first 500ms, fade out the last 500ms" for several samples so to speak... I know about the normalize but I seldom do it on standalone samples as some samples are very hard to record in high volume's (I do alot of field recording).

[sauce]

Normalizing to zero db is pretty standard, but still I like to leave a little headroom for processing. Also, I get some fantastic results sampling through a little compression. It helps the samples cut through a mix.

[jessejames]

^^Compression while you're recording the sample or post?

[sauce]

^^Compression while you're recording the sample or post?

Compression while recording the sample. Not too much, though, as you don't want to make your final mix "breathe".

[Alphajuno]

The general rule of thumb is to get it as loud as possible without clipping.

With 24 Bit its good to leave a bit of headroom, just in case. You get a lot more dynamic range in which you can boost it using 24 Bit.

[harass]

you need to keep it under 0db. remember your master engi.