User Manual

RECORDING IN THE SEQUENCER
135
Setting input level(s)
Before you start recording audio on the track it’s very important to set correct input level(s). The input signal should
be loud enough to minimize noise and provide high quality, but not so loud that it causes clipping and distortion.
If you’re using a 24-bit audio interface (recommended), aim at having the level of the input signal around -12dB on
the track Input Meter according to the picture below. For 16-bit audio interfaces you may want to raise the level an-
other couple of dB’s.
! Always adjust the input level at the source (e.g. the mic preamp connected to, or built-in in the audio interface).
! If the input signal level should exceed 0dB (red clipping LEDs to the right) on the track Input Meter at any time
during recording, there could be audible distortion in the recording:
If the input level should clip, at any time, the red clipping LED(s) in the Input Meter will be constantly lit until you click
on the Input Meter. This is to notify that there is, or has been, too loud an input signal present on the track.
! The input level cannot be adjusted using the Channel strip controls in the Main Mixer. The Channel strip con-
trols are used only for adjusting the level and characteristics of the monitored signal and/or the playback sig-
nal of an existing recording on the track.
Monitoring
Monitoring means listening to the input signal of an audio track. Monitoring works according to the following princi-
ples:
• By default, monitoring is automatically enabled as soon as an audio track is record enabled.
This makes it possible to hear what you will be recording - before and during recording to disk.
• During playback of an audio track, monitoring is automatically disabled.
During playback, you will only hear the recorded signal - not any input signal.
q Note that you can manually activate or deactivate monitoring for a track by clicking the Monitor button.
The input signal is monitored after the Channel strip and Master Section in the Main Mixer which means that all mixer
parameters, including any Insert Effects, Dynamics etc., will also be applied to the monitored signal.
! Note that the Main Mixer parameters will only affect the monitored (and/or played back) signal - they will not
affect the signal being recorded to disk.
“Safe” input level ~ -12dB
(first yellow LEDs lit)
Audio clipping LED = distortion
(Clipping LED lit)