Optimal audio meter level?

[Blade Borge]

so 16 dashes on the meter, where do I want my audio to sit usually?

 

[andythefilmer]

Before it peaks into the reds.

 

[MadHMC150]

Red of course is bad... but I keep it hitting around the | mark and have been very happy.

 

[ullanta]

Optimal? Peaking just below the red. But most people prefer to aim for a specific AVERAGE level. Some say -12, some say -20, depending on delivery specs, etc.

However, the HMC audio is compressed, and the circuitry a bit noisy... which become apparent when you need to BOOST levels in post. Most of my work is music, not film dialogue... and I always find the best bet is a very good sound check and optimizing levels to "peaking just under the red."

Just remember these two contrasting guides:
1) Quality-wise. it's better to lower levels in post than to raise levels in post - so record as hot as possible
2) Setting levels too hot is catastrophic, setting them too low is more recoverable - so err on the side of too low rather than too high
... and look for the safe ground: set the levels as hot as possible without risk of hitting the red.

 

[KnoxHotch]

Best idea is to record a mono source to both channels, one more ambitious and "hot", while keeping the other one low enough as a safety net in case the hot signal is over driven. In most cases the hotter signal will be just fine and will sound better in post.

 

[TheDingo]

However, the HMC audio is compressed, and the circuitry a bit noisy... which become apparent when you need to BOOST levels in post.

Can you comment on what you mean by "noisy" ?

I'm just wondering if you've done any tests to see what the actual noise-floor is for the HMC150.

I don't record music, but I do record dialog via good mics and a Sound Devices mixer feeding the camera. The only noise I've experienced to date has always been the ambient room noise.