User Manual

RECORDING IN THE SEQUENCER
135
Setting input level(s)
Before you start recording audio on the track it’s very important to set correct input level(s). The input signal should
be loud enough to minimize noise and provide high quality, but not so loud that it causes clipping and distortion.
If you’re using a 24-bit audio interface (recommended), aim at having the level of the input signal around -12dB on
the track Input Meter according to the picture below. For 16-bit audio interfaces you may want to raise the level an-
other couple of dB’s.
q To get a better view of the input levels, use the separate Recording Meter Window, see “The Recording Meter
Window”.
! If you are using the Propellerhead Balance audio interface you can use the special Clip Safe function to protect
your recordings from accidental audio input clipping, see “Recording using the Clip Safe function in Propeller-
head Balance”.
! Always adjust the input level at the source (e.g. the preamp connected to, or built-in to the audio interface).
! If the input signal level should exceed 0dB (red clipping LEDs to the right) on the track Input Meter at any time
during recording, there could be audible distortion in the recording:
If the input level should clip, at any time, the red clipping LED(s) in the Input Meter will be constantly lit until you click
on the Input Meter. This is to notify that there is, or has been, too loud an input signal present on the track.
! The input level cannot be adjusted using the Channel strip controls in the Main Mixer. The Channel strip con-
trols are used only for adjusting the level and characteristics of the monitored signal and/or the playback sig-
nal of an existing recording on the track.
Using the Clip Safe function with Propellerhead Balance
! Note that the Clip Safe function only works together with the Propellerhead Balance audio interface.
If you use the Propellerhead Balance audio interface together with Reason, you will have access to the Clip Safe
function. The Clip Safe function lets you record a mono signal with an additional “invisible” headroom. This is done by
using both AD converters in Propellerhead Balance for the same mono signal, with the second AD converter dedi-
cated to the additional headroom.
When recording with the Clip Safe function, Reason records the mono signal in parallel using both AD converters.
The original AD converter records the signal at normal level and the second AD converter records the same signal
“padded” at a lower level.
In practice this means that if the input signal should exceed the normal 0dB clipping level during recording, the pro-
gram will allow you to use the “padded” signal from the second AD converter and replace the clipped/distorted audio.
The padded signal will be amplified in Reason so that its level accurately reflects the original recording level. In other
words, the resulting signal will be just as loud as the original signal - but without any clipping or distortion.
“Safe” input level ~ -12dB
(first yellow LEDs lit)
Audio clipping LED = distortion
(Clipping LED lit)