Instruction Manual

253
Recording Audio
Recording
your recording. If the levels are too high, your recording will be inaccurate or
distorted. To check your audio levels, use the audio meters in the either the
Track view or Console view. To adjust the input levels, you must use your
sound card’s software mixer program (or the Windows XP mixer) or an
external hardware mixer for certain sound cards.
The audio meters indicate the volume at which the audio will be recorded, in
units called decibels (dB). The meter values range from -INF (silent) to 0dB
(maximum volume). You can change many options in the way SONAR’s
meters display data: see Metering. To maximize the dynamic range of your
recording, you want to set the levels as high as possible without clipping.
When the audio level exceeds 0dB, some of the audio information is lost.
This is known as overload. Many sound cards use clipping to deal with an
overloaded signal, but clipping can distort the audio signal. As a result, you
should avoid letting the meter level exceed 0dB.
Note to Experts: Because SONAR is a digital recorder, a level of 0dB
indicates digital zero. Digital distortion will occur at 0dB. You will not get
analog compression or warmth from pushing the input levels. If you are
transferring data from a DAT or another device, you may want to calibrate
the input levels of your sound card with the output levels of other devices in
your studio. This will ensure that 0dB on one unit will appear as 0dB in
SONAR.
To Check the Input Levels
1. In the Track view, choose the inputs for the tracks you want to record,
and arm the tracks for recording. Make sure that the Show/Hide All
Meters button at the top of the Track view is enabled.
2. The default meter range is from 0 dB to -60 dB. To change the range,
right-click on the meter and choose a new range from the menu.
3. Perform at the loudest level at which you plan to record.
Watch the meters respond. Increase the input volume as high as
possible without ever letting the meters move all the way to 0dB, even
for an instant, or letting the Clipping indicator turn red. If either of these
things happen, reduce the input volume just enough to avoid them
during the entire performance. Note that some kinds of audio, such as
percussive or plucked musical instruments, can produce very short,
high-level “transients” when struck or plucked aggressively, which can
lead to clipping if the input volume is set too high. Consider the
possibility of these transients when examining the meters and setting
your record level.
Note: If the Clipping indicator is illuminated, click on it to reset.