What's the optimum recording level?

[Yamnoel]

Hi there,

I'm just wondering how most of you set the input level when recording to get the most out of every type of tapes.
What's the best setting for peaks? <0, 0, +1, +3, +6...db?
Do you set it differently for every type of tapes?

Sorry if this was already being discussed
Hope to get feedback...thanks

 

[jan_stevns]

You can't say there is a "best setting" it depends on your deck, and tape used.

If record level is set to high - you'll get distortion (tape get's saturated)

 

[Yamnoel]

Thanks Jan
I use mostly a type II (CrO2) tapes and some normal ones with a MOTL decks
I sometimes vary the peak settings from 0 to +3db to experiment and they all just sound fine to me
I'm just curious how others set theirs
Just being picky I guess

 

[boonie]

I like to run mine pretty well into the red on peaks using chrome tapes. Both my decks are pretty decent (akai gxc-730d and denon dr-m33hx) and handle this fine.

 

[jan_stevns]

nothing wrong in being picky

In contrast to old tape formulas, are later ones often improved on recording level etc.

CrO2 tapes are usuall better than Fe tapes, and Metal tapes are yet better ...

 

[Soren Hammer]

you can record some material you know well, and gradually increase recording level. Then you play back and listen for distortion. You then set your initial levels based on the highest recorded without any audible distortion

 

[michaelhigh]

You want red on peaks but not constantly on. It's easier to see on LEDs but meters look cooler on the whole. With compressed sources (radio, TV, etc.) you can go louder on the average, and you should be able to get the recording level to reach just up to the red more consistantly, just don't push it into the red constantly. A peak or 2 is OK but avoid the distortion of a constantly pegged meter.

 

[Deleted member 89059]

+3 for NORM and CrO2, +6 for METAL.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

And if you are using Dolby NR, +3dB peaks are suggested.

 

[Yamnoel]

With all your feedbacks, I guess I'm just doing fine which is a comfort
I hope I will be able to find a metal tape someday to try, can't find one anymore

Thanks everyone for your tips
Recording tapes needs time, patience and I guess art to produce a good output which makes this hobby enjoyable. You'll feel you're part of the record when listening to it

 

[ReelSic]

Hi there,

What's the best setting for peaks? <0, 0, +1, +3, +6...db?

Funny this should come up since have been experimenting with the only new cassette tapes I can get in stores down here in south Texas-- normal bias.

New TDK & Maxell cass seem to do OK at +3 on a Pioneer CT-F900. Zero & can hear hiss; >3 & they seem to clip out. (They're just going in my truck so no real need for uber-fidelity.)

For open tape was always taught average should be zero & that gives +3 headroom for peaks. (Maxell XL-I 35-90B & 180B on a Pioneer RT909 running at 19cm/s)

fwiw

--Bruce

 

[Yamnoel]

Yes ReelSic, what you'll see at stores nowadays are only normal type tapes
In my experience they sound fine when new but deteriorates faster than the higher types after a while
Good thing I still have few type IIs
Well, lets just enjoy it while they lasts...

BTW, I also set my recording levels like yours (odb & +3db headroom for peaks)
I'll check first to peak passages and make sure it doesn't go beyond to avoid distortions...

 

[jancumps]

From the manual of my Nakamichi CR-1 (available from the great www.hifiengine.com)

... The optimal record level varies to a certain degree, depending on the tape in use and the recording source. As a rule of thumb, the peak level meters should be allowed to read up to +7 dB with metal tapes and up to +3dB with chrome-type and normal-type tapes (when using tapes recommended by Nakamichi).

 

[ReelSic]

Yes ReelSic, what you'll see at stores nowadays are only normal type tapes
In my experience they sound fine when new but deteriorates faster than the higher types after a while
Good thing I still have few type IIs
Well, lets just enjoy it while they lasts...

BTW, I also set my recording levels like yours (odb & +3db headroom for peaks)
I'll check first to peak passages and make sure it doesn't go beyond to avoid distortions...

Yep. Too bad about no new high bias. Appreciate the tip about life expectancy tho. Down here they'll just melt inside truck 1st... :screwy:

[slight digression]

Main thing new ones did was ease a worried mind. Had encountered playback/record stoppage on some old XL-IIs. Snagged new ones to see if problem consistent @ 22 min mark. Maybe old shells or liners, but after 20 year semi-retirement was pleasantly surprised the old girl still recorded new ones-- no problems :thmbsp:

--Bruce

 

[jiggster1974]

TDK (Imation) still makes a type II SA 90 tape. While it's no match for it's predecessor, it does sound better IMO than type I's i've picked up at Office Deopt. Also, I just placed an order for some type II's from nationalaudiocompany.com. I think a few others have tested these tapes as well and from what I read, they seem to be pretty good deal.

Yes ReelSic, what you'll see at stores nowadays are only normal type tapes
In my experience they sound fine when new but deteriorates faster than the higher types after a while
Good thing I still have few type IIs
Well, lets just enjoy it while they lasts...

BTW, I also set my recording levels like yours (odb & +3db headroom for peaks)
I'll check first to peak passages and make sure it doesn't go beyond to avoid distortions...

 

[melofelo]

i remember reading blank cassette reviews years ago..and most tapes varied with the amount of saturation they could handle.. peaks and average music levels tend to differ greatly dependignnon programme material and your tape heads...
generally i aim for no more than a +3db peak on ferrics..but never so that 3db light stays on...
i remember tdk ar90's could handle +6db peaks...without overload as long as the average music level was about 0db..

That's em-x90 could run to +7.5 db peaks..and i think That's fx90 was the hottest tape..easily handling + 9db peaks...don;t ask me how i remember so much trivia from just reading a a review..

the only tape of note i remember having to be cautious with apart from the cheapest ferrics was the basf cromdioxid II's from the 80's...perhaps my favorite tape of all time..
they didn't like anything above 0db...and you had to watch the levels careful yon very dynamic recordings..think art blakey going full tilt...
but in return i found that they were the quietest tapes for hiss...and they captured details in music that sometimes escaped my other fave chrome tape..tdk sa90...for classical music and jazz..they simply were magic..

i never use dolby..so can't comment on setting peaks with dolby

nowadays i stick with +3db peaks on whatever tape i use..and perhaps back off a bit if the music is dense or not very dynamic..to keep average levels from saturating the tape