https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:13 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/paged/2/#post-74632 Wed, 03 Nov 2004 03:02:29 +0000 In The Studio DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/paged/2/#post-74632 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/paged/2/#post-73697 Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:09:49 +0000
Another question, which I have not seen asked yet: what is between your "mic and other stuff" and the sound card? In most computer-based recording environments, there is a preamp (outboard, in mixer) between the mic and the computer that will provide you additional control in matching/managing levels. Also keep in mind the differences in levels between the consumer (-10db) and pro (+4db) markets. I can run signals from my pro +4db audio interface to my consumer -10db cassette deck and end up with a crappy, distorted recording - even though the meters on the cassette peak at 0db.

I would check what your soundcard is expecting on input (pro or consumer) and compare to what you are providing...

Bill]]> In The Studio VaultStudio https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/paged/2/#post-73697 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73224 Wed, 20 Oct 2004 20:37:27 +0000 In The Studio greybeard https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73224 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73191 Wed, 20 Oct 2004 13:54:37 +0000 Right now i have NO OPTICAL WARNING that my music is gonna be distorted in the mixdown or not.And i am asking What is the use of the square on the top of the peak meters when there is never an indication on it?Maybe the article can help me to work without that indication but i don't want to do that.
Again and again thanks for your time.I understand its hard to talk about these things through the internet and i really apreciate your effort to help]]> In The Studio moof https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73191 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73171 Wed, 20 Oct 2004 05:02:04 +0000 Level Practices in Digital Audio]]> In The Studio Moonrider https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73171 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73084 Tue, 19 Oct 2004 15:22:34 +0000 On the other hand let me give you another example that COMPLETELY describes my problem.
I load a waveform in an editor (cool edit for example).I "select all" the waveform and from the effects list i apply "amplify 50 db" after that my waveform is completely white and huge.I press "play" and still my meters dont go over 0 db!!!!!!!.Of course the sound is completely distorted but i cant see it in my peak meters.It is driving me crazyyyy helppp.
I have worked with sound in many pc's in my job(i make radio spots) on the radio.And there are pc's that this happens and others that it doesn't happen.I am telling you,its not only my problem it appears a lot.
The common thing in these cases is that there is except for the good soundcard a Realtek AC 97 on board soundcard,but its sure that the programs(and the windows) are adjusted to use the pci good soundcard....
Again thanks]]> In The Studio moof https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-73084 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72912 Sun, 17 Oct 2004 17:53:21 +0000
-Greg]]> In The Studio gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72912 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72872 Sun, 17 Oct 2004 05:27:27 +0000 "i never see the red light turning on,on the peak meters of the mixers interface in any program.I want that to happen because i don't want to guess in wich level my signal doesn't peak.I want to see the red light on the top of the meter (in the square) turning on when i have a transient so that i push my recording to the limit and have the least signal to noise ratio." That sounds like you're getting signal loss somewhere. If your interface expects a balanced signal, and you're not using balanced cables to connect, I'd start wwith getting a set of good TRS patch cables and start from there.]]> In The Studio Moonrider https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72872 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72820 Sat, 16 Oct 2004 12:41:08 +0000 The two last posts you made indicate that if i change my cables it might work,and i will do it with balanced.Actually in cakewalk the peaks stuck exactly at -6db.
But please let me describe my problem again in other words.

"i never see the red light turning on,on the peak meters of the mixers interface in any program.I want that to happen because i don't want to guess in wich level my signal doesn't peak.I want to see the red light on the top of the meter (in the square) turning on when i have a transient so that i push my recording to the limit and have the least signal to noise ratio."

from "gneases" last words i understand that the cables i use, can't stand a signal as big as my soundcard limit is.it is something like wanting to pass big amount of water through a small pipe(cable),and after that blaming your brand new big Tap(the sound card or pc) for the problem.IS IT like that????]]> In The Studio moof https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72820 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72637 Thu, 14 Oct 2004 06:08:06 +0000 In The Studio gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/big-problem-help-needed-signal-never-over-0-db/#post-72637