Proper Recording Levels

[feliponk]

Keep it in the yellow range and some orange peaks, that's it.

[bryced87]

But what is the difference between the numbers on the right and left. I've heard never to have it in the yellow.

[feliponk]

Originally Posted by bryced87

I've heard never to have it in the yellow.

Who told you that?, have you read the manual to kow what this numbers mean?

[bryced87]

no but the tutorials online say if you have it in the yellow you have less headroom for mixing

[feliponk]

Originally Posted by bryced87

no but the tutorials online say if you have it in the yellow you have less headroom for mixing

That's b*llsh*t.

You need to know how to do your work.

Have you read the manual?

[bryced87]

no i was taught in college not to believe the manual. I found this from http://www.harmonycentral.com/t5/Rec.../ba-p/34646453

"The track labeled Audio 1 is at -15dB, which is the equivalent of "0 VU" in Pro Tools. This is about where your average signal levels should be when recording."

-15 is green

[feliponk]

From Wikipedia...

dBFS is not to be used for analog levels, according to AES-6id-2006. There is no single standard for converting between digital and analog levels, mostly due to the differing capabilities of different equipment. The amount of oversampling also affects the conversion with values that are too low having significant error. The conversion level is chosen as the best compromise for the typical headroom and signal-to-noise levels of the equipment in question. Examples:[15][16][17]

• EBU R68 is used in most European countries, specifying +18 dBu at 0 dBFS
• In Europe, the EBU recommend that -18 dBFS equates to the Alignment Level
• European & UK calibration for Post & Film is −18 dBFS = 0 VU
• UK broadcasters, Alignment Level is taken as 0 dBu (PPM4 or -4VU)
• US installations use +24 dBu for 0 dBFS
• American and Australian Post: −20 dBFS = 0 VU = +4 dBu
• The American SMPTE standard defines -20 dBFS as the Alignment Level
• In Japan, France and some other countries, converters may be calibrated for +22 dBu at 0 dBFS.
• BBC spec: −18 dBFS = PPM "4" = 0 dBu
• German ARD & studio PPM +6 dBu = −10 (−9) dBFS. +16 (+15)dBu = 0 dBFS. No VU.
• Belgium VRT: 0dB (VRT Ref.) = +6dBu ; -9dBFS = 0dB (VRT Ref.) ; 0dBFS = +15dBu.

[bryced87]

Now I'm really confused because a friend of mine from Berklee Music says that dBFS is what you always go by. He says set it so that peak is displayed on the fader and never go over yellow. I don't even know what dBFS is.

[feliponk]

Originally Posted by bryced87

I don't even know what dBFS is.

Start reading then, and with this, I'm not insulting you at all.

All of us are learning everyday, but you need to put from your side. After 23 years as a professional, there's a lof of things I need to learn, that's why I keep reading and researching.

Look here for the dBFS but bear in mind you need to understand sound and signals first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DBFS

[bryced87]

So basically if my recording levels aren't clipping I'm fine?