Controlling Recording Levels in Pro Tools

[vinlance]

Is there a way to control the signal you're getting into Pro Tools from the fader? My signals are coming in too hot and I have no control of the signal.

Is there a way I can control the levels coming in to Pro Tools "IN" Pro Tools? Do I put a trim plug in up on the an insert? Do I send the signal to an AUX channel first, then to an actual audio track for recording?

How do you guys usually accomplish this when you're faced with this problem?

Thanks.

[Darryl Ramm]

Some/any clear description of what you are doing is needed here.

Signal from where (what exact mic, preamp etc.). What exact model thingy do you have plugged into what exact input on some other exact thingy, etc.. For any mic/DI input what is the corresponding gain set to.

And what does "too hot" exactly mean to you? What exact problem is this presenting to you? What result are you trying to change?

If the analog input signal is too hot for the interface/line-in input you control this level usually with the preamp gain or an attenuator in the signal path. If its not a problem there then you just control it post fader. Pro Tools 10 and later clip gain also gives lots of flexibility.

[YYR123]

First off we need more info

Type of interface ?


Short answer is yes but you probably need to turn ur preamps down to achieve the result ur looking for

Look into the preferences and mixing tab - it should say pre fader metering or post fader metering

But the problem is at ur pre amps

[vinlance]

The signal is from an SD7 via Madi. The preamps are coming from the SD7, but the Monitor guy says that if he cuts down my levels or turns them up, it will affect his entire mix for the different people on stage.

I'm using the SSL MADI Interfaces and going into Pro Tools HDX.

Too hot means, that it's in the RED. Some of the signal is too low as well. Recording at -60db at times.

If I'm recording Analog in, I usually can do it with the preamp gain, but I don't have control of it.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by vinlance

The signal is from an SD7 via Madi. The preamps are coming from the SD7, but the Monitor guy says that if he cuts down my levels or turns them up, it will affect his entire mix for the different people on stage.

I'm using the SSL MADI Interfaces and going into Pro Tools HDX.

Too hot means, that it's in the RED. Some of the signal is too low as well. Recording at -60db at times.

If I'm recording Analog in, I usually can do it with the preamp gain, but I don't have control of it.

Trying to turn down (or up) the level in Pro Tools will *not* affect things. Its already digital. The fader is just controlling math being done by Pro Tools to a digital signal. You can also control just as well at mix time. If the signal is really too hot then it should be a problem for live as well and the *only* way to control that is analog before it hits the interface/ADC. You need to sit down and work this out with the live guys. Or go buy a bunch of interfaces and stick them on the analog side of things (seems not the way to go). A good live team should have experience doing this with a variety of different recoding systems.

[vinlance]

Man...Daryl. Thanks. I really appreciate it.

How do you KUDOS in the Avid Discussions, or like a PLUS 1 or give points? Been trying to find that for a while.

[Bob Olhsson]

The second the audio is digitized, it's too late.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by vinlance

How do you KUDOS in the Avid Discussions, or like a PLUS 1 or give points? Been trying to find that for a while.

Can't, don't work like that - should but it don't

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

The second the audio is digitized, it's too late.

Yep that's the true true

[vinlance]

That's wack. If someone helps me out, then they should get credit for it. Got a lot of help recently.

[john1192]

you could send money just kidding ... someone already mentioned that if it is clipping to "You" it will be clipping to either the monitor guy or FOH or both ... if they control YOUR gain stage then you may need to buy them some JD and hookers to get them to bring those levels within reason ... not kidding, as they are your only course unless you get out front with analog splitter and preamps ..

cheers

john