The Sound Studio

 

 

Part 2: Verify input/output formats and levels

 

 

Put on headphones if you haven't already.

 

If you don't hear any noise in the headphones at this point, there are two places to check: cables and volume control.

 

Cables: 

 

 

 

Both of the Shure microphones should be plugged into the microphone amplifier by default.

 

The amplifier is the small blue box with XLR cables plugged in on either side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verify which channel (the numbers 1-8 on the recorder and controller) that each microphone is plugged into.

The default should be channels 1 and 2.

Follow the XLR cables from the left side of the amp, to the left side of the recorder. 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume:

 

 

 

There is a way to change the volume in a lot of places: the controller headphone level, grey sliders, red master volume slider, field recorder headphone levels, and headphone amplifier levels.

 

 

Part 3: Set Levels

 

 

 

On the F-Control, press the buttons that correspond with the XLR inputs on the recorder.

They will turn red. This is called ‘arming’ your input channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above the red slider is a button that toggles between "Trim" and "Pan."

 

Verify that the "Trim" light is red.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You now want to adjust microphone levels. When doing the following adjustments, aim for the level indicator lights to fall within the -12 to -17 decibel range

 

 

 

Talk into your mic and use the grey fader (the sliding button) to find a level that comfortably sits around the -12 dB mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use the trim knob to make more fine tuned settings. You want your voice to sound clear, but to minimize noise’ in the background. Speak clearly into the microphone, at a variety of pitch and loudness, to make adjustments to the fader and trim settings to find a nice sounding range.

 

 

 

Repeat this process of setting levels for each input that you have.

 

It's important to note that the volume that you hear in the headphones is not necessarily the volume that’s being recorded. If your headphones sound 'noisy' at this stage there are two places to adjust:

• The F-Control: there is a headphone knob, do not turn this up past 3/4 of the way!

• The Headphone Amplifier: each headphone has their own volume control. Turn up your volume to a comfortable place. Start around 3 or 4 and work your way up to a comfortable level.

 

 

Part 4: Recording & Playback

 

Recording

 

 

 

 

When you’re ready to start, hit the red record button!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When finished recording, press the stop button (note, pressing the record button again does not stop the recording)

 

 

 

Playback

 

 

 

To playback the most recent recording, press the play/pause button.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to listen to a recording from further back in time, click Menu -- Finder -- SD1

 

Click the folder you are recording in, denoted by a blue check mark, and then the recording you want to listen to. This will take you back to the recording screen, at which point pressing the play/pause button will play your selected audio.