Instruction Manual

 Chapter 4 Maximizing Signal to Noise Ratio / Setting Levels

Maximizing

Signal to

Noise Ratio /

Setting Levels

To maximize the Signal to Noise ratio of a recording, it is

important to input the signal into the StudioCard at the proper

level. The trim level should be set to match the levels of the

equipment the StudioCard is connected to. A signal optimized

such that its peaks are near 0dB on the meters in the Antex

Demo will be recorded with peak signal to noise ratio.

It is suggested you use the amplitude control of your external

equipment to input signals of the correct amplitude and

headroom setting into the StudioCard. If you do not have

adequate external adjustment and your input signal is of limited

dynamic range, setting the trim level in the mixer to +12 will

increase the amplitude of the recorded signal and therefore

increase the Signal to Noise ratio. The amount of headroom

will be reduced accordingly, and caution must be taken to

verify digital clipping is avoided for large peaks.

Most commercial POP music CDs are recorded within 3 to 6dB

of the 0Vu clipping point, while Classical CDs may average

20dB below 0Vu with large peak levels that come very close to

0Vu. The recordist must decide how much “headroom” to

provide for the dynamic range of the music or sound being

recorded.