Ok, here we go again...this time with Depeche Mode

[sant430_]

So last month I recorded Dolly Parton, and tonight I'm recording Depeche Mode with the same hardware: nh1 with bmc-12 binaurals hooked to a batt box (set at 69Hz this time - bass roll off was NOT used at Dolly) via line-in.

I know the recording afficianados here like the mic-in, but I'm partial to the line-in. At Dolly, I had also used the 'ForLoudMusic' setting, and for Mode I'm going with the manual setting. Man, I hope I don't get any brickwalling.

I also recorded at pcm for dolly, but this time is hi-sp. I'll be using my er-6i's for monitoring. The mics are housed in croakies and attached to glasses. I had the glasses resting on top of my head last time, but I'm going to actually 'wear' them for a better stereo effect.

Dolly was 2nd row in the pit (verrry close), but Mode is about 22 rows from the stage.

The only thing I may be getting is a new 9 volt for the batt box.......

Wish me luck!

[A440]

I know the recording afficianados here like the mic-in.

Not really. Greenmachine likes Line-in with battery box, I tend to use Mic-in and attenuator. Theoretically, greenmachine is better because there's not the additional preamp stage to change or screw up his signal, and actually most recording aficionados agree with him, not me. I use mic-in mostly for pragmatic reasons: so I don't have to carry an additional box that's one more thing to pocket and one more thing that could become accidentally disconnected. It also makes for a louder recording, but it does risk overloading now and then.

You shouldn't get any brickwalling with line-in and battery box unless it is punishingly loud. Brickwalling usually comes from the mic preamp. With line-in, the limiting factor is your mics, and if they're overloading with battery power then you're getting a full-body massage from the bass.

[mmilovan]

For line-in I think it is the same problem as with mic preamp but reverse situation: everything that sounds quieter than minimum reference dynamic level will be wiped off. Tried this in SF by generating quiet sounds, and watched the VU meters and graphic interpretation of those sounds.

[greenmachine]

Nobody said to always use the line-in - use it just just for higher sound pressure levels. Quiet sounds would be buried in the noise floor the same way as high SPLs overload the preamp when using mic-in. A perfectly working preamp with seamlessly variable gain would end the endless line-in or mic-in discussion, but until then you have to choose either one or the other that fits best for your situation.