Makingconnections
Plugginginmics,instruments
andheadphones,andgetting
readytorecordissimplewitha
singlemic,butharderwith
multiplemics,headphonesand
musicians.Thekeyisinthe
preparationstage.
Havea planforyourroom
layout,anda listofinputsand
outputs,evenifyou’rejust
recordingoneguitar.Thiscan
helpyouseeexactlywhat’s
needed,includingnumbersof
micleads,jackleads,
headphonesandsoon,aswellas
whichmicswillrequirephantom
power.Ifyoudogetconfusedby
yourcabling,rememberthat
withXLRmiccables,thesignal
travelsfrommaletofemale,so
themichasthemaleplugand
theinputontheaudiointerface
isthefemalesocket.
Ifyou’rerecordingother
people,getallthemics
connectedandcheckedbefore
theyarrive,aswaitingaround
foreverythingtobesetupisa
massivevibekiller.Andtryand
keepthecablingtidyandoutof
theway,becausethelastthing
youwantissomeone– even
yourself– catchinga cableand
bringingyourpreciousmic
downtothefloorwith
a thud.
MicsandDIsneedtogothroughan
amplificationstagebeforebeing
recorded.Thisiscalledthepreampandis
incorporatedintoyouraudiointerface.
Settingthegaincorrectlynotonlyensures
thesignalisstrongenough,butalsogives
themostnoise-freetransmissionofit.1
Setting the gain level involves some
trial and error, but most interfaces
include basic LED metering, which will run
intothe red when the circuit overloads.
Start with the gain low and raise it until the
meters are green, indicating a healthy
signal level.2
Next,runthroughthetrack,listening
outforloudsectionsorsuddenpeaks.
Adjustthegainaccordinglysothatthe
meterremainspredominantlygreen.
MomentarypeakshittingredshouldbeOK
buta prolongedredlightindicatesthat
you’reoverloadingthepreampcircuit.3
Finally, look at the input level for the
DAW track you’re recording onto and
check that the signal is at least a few
decibels below zero. If it’s anywhere near
zero, reduce the preamp gain, as you risk
clipping the input converters. Having
signals peak at -10dB or even lower is
perfectly acceptable.4
Beforepluggingorunpluggingmics,
andtoavoidequipmentdamage,
ensurethatyourmonitorsaremuted
andphantompowerisswitchedoff.
Suspendthemicsonsuitablestandsand
pluginthemiccables.Finally,switchon
phantompowerif required,thenunmute
yourmonitors.1
Topositiona mic,getthestandin
roughlytherightplace,holdthemic
withonehandandslackenoffthestand
clamps.Movethemicandorientateit as
required,then,whilestillholdingthemic,
tightenuptheclamps.Fora heavymicon
a boomstand,positiononeofthetripod
legsundertheboomtokeepit stable.2
Plugging an instrument into a Hi-Z jack
input on an audio interface is
straightforward, but remember to mute
your monitors before unplugging it. If
you’re using a separate DI box, the output
isa standard XLR mic cable that runs to
themic input. Some DIs use phantom
power – switch this on last.3
Stepbystep
- Micsetupandpluggingin
Step by step 2. Setting preamp gain
make music now / the fast guide to recording
26 / COMPUTER MUSIC / July 2019