two staggered levels off one mic

J Davis

J Davis

Veteran
Hi dvxuser audio experts !

Let me explain the background to my question - an old trick I used from back in my camcorder days was to set left to be -6dB lower than right then split the pair in post using the lower as my backup for peaks.

I want see if this is possible in a mono mic (eg. ntg2) + boom + preamp + recorder scenario.

Do any of the Sound Devices recorder/preamp combo's allow for dual recording at staggered gain? (for the same purposes of peak protection)

If not is it possible to split signal and would you do this before preamp or split after preamp?
 
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The most effective way to do this is to use the pan function on a mixer input, setting it to about 9:00. With Sound Devices mixers, you have to have a 442 or better for rotary pan control since the MixPre and 302 both have hard-switched L-C-R.

The ore option is to use the recorder's input level or mix controls. This can be very useful for arranging a safety track, but it doesn't't protect against over-modulation anywhere in the signal chain before that point (i.e. in the mixer).
 
I would also add that the Sound Devices limiters are really good. Because of that I haven't been doing dual levels. But you could at the recorder level. If you have the SD limiters in and set to just eliminate clipping the MixPre is virtually un-clipable. I will then set the recorder so that nothing will clip it's inputs and then the whole setup (past the mic) can handle just about anything. At that point you could split at the recorder (some have a dual level option) if you want. I usually use the lower safety track when using BoomRecorder where I don't have many lines of reliable limiting.

In all cases if the mic clips your SOL.
 
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