Recording Tips; About Metering - Alesis Studio 24 Reference Manual

Recording
R T
ECORDING IPS
For the cleanest possible recording, the Group FADERS (or Channel FADERS if the
DIRECT OUTS are being used) should be adjusted so that the level going to tape
averages 0 VU on the meters of a typical analog multitrack tape machine, or peaks
just below MAX or 0 dBFS on a digital multitrack machine such as the Alesis ADAT.
A M
BOUT ETERING
The meters of the Studio 24 are the instantaneous peak reading type, which are
preferred in digital recording where the "ideal" recording level comes close to, but
never exceeds the point where all the bits are filled (called 0 dBfs, for full scale). Note
that "0 dB" on the Studio 24's meters means that the output of the Studio 24 is at
"nominal" level (+4 dBu balanced, -2 dBu unbalanced or -10 dBV unbalanced,
depending on the connector), as opposed to "0 dB" on a digital recorder like ADAT
which means "maximum" level (+5 dBV unbalanced). Peaks well above the "0 dB"
level on the Studio 24's meters should be common at normal operating levels for
almost all types of tape deck. Analog tape decks typically have between 10 and 13 dB
of headroom above the nominal level, depending on the tape type and any noise
reduction being used, and ADAT has 15 dB of headroom above nominal. Other
digital decks have anywhere from 12 to 20 dB of headroom.
Meters of the tape deck will not necessarily match those of the Studio 24 on dynamic
program material. With typical metering, analog VU meters may only read 0 dB,
even though the Studio 24's peak meters are reading levels between +5 and +10.
However, a steady-state tone (such as that from the built-in oscillator) will read 0 dB
on both the Studio 24 and most VU meters. Readings on combined peak/VU meters,
such as those found on semiprofessional multitracks, will vary. Take the time to learn
the relationship between the Studio 24's meters and your deck's meters, using both
steady-state tones and dynamic material.
If signal peaks cause the record meter to vary by more than 10 dB, a limiter or
compressor such as the Alesis 3630 Stereo Compressor may be patched into the
INSERT jack of that channel to even out the peaks. In general, things will sound
better if the meters remain at roughly the same level throughout the recording.
The two LED ladder meters of the Studio 24 will follow the Control Room source
switch and SOLO system. Changing the Control Room Level control will not affect
the meters.
S 24 R M 5 7
TUDIO EFERENCE ANUAL