Blacho wrote:
although it's not really my intention to have to add a lot of digital gain, it seems the extra gain available via the DYN & EQ come in handy on individual tracks and during mixdown. Recorded a guitar track last night with an SM57 2" or 3" away, the amp was up pretty loud, input gain on the AW at about 3 o'clock. When I listen back completely dry (I want a good sounding track before I fiddle with the DYN/EQ/EFF), the track still sounds somewhat wimpier than I hoped for.
From my reading on this forum, seems like this isn't that uncommon, or am I wrong and just doing something hinky?
I do not have an external pre-amp. Wondering if a decent one might help me track clean but with a bit of a stronger signal. Been saving my pennies and eyeing used Focusrite ISA Ones.
BTW, i have a 2400.
What do you mean by wimpy? If the performance is solid, and the levels consistent, ... then there is lots you can do to gently instill a bit of character.
If your levels are low, in comparison to some other tracks, on the 2400 , you can boost the signal digitally by up to +12 dB at the very beginning of the chain. See the signal chain on the View screen, via view button.
The 1600 and G let you cut gain, but not add it. This is a good feature of the 2400.
A preamp is a handy piece of gear. Start small with an ART single channel for just a few bucks. The AW pres do need some help, especially with dynamic mics. Don't forget you can digitally add up to +12 dB at the input stage too, if memory serves correctly.
as for adding gain to the final product, it is a necessary part of the process. if you mix in a controlled fashion, the mix's average volume levels can be quite low (material dependent) so that there is lots of headroom, hopefully with no peak exceeding -3. This requires some use of DYN on the tracks, and perhaps some fader riding or "Automix" to do a bit of volume adjustment on the fly during mixdown. Don't be afraid to turn your reference monitors' volume up as you mix, as need be, to avoid being deceived that your whole mix is wimpy, ... but ... You need to recover that 3dB for the final product. Plus a good brick wall limiter will let you sneak a few more dB out, But don't be greedy. listen for the transient sounds (snare snap, bass string finger noise, beater sound from the kick for e.g.) as you compress a mix. You can't sacrifice the open sound for more volume.