User Guide

ADJUSTING LEVELS USING THE PEAK
The peak values displayed above the level meters are useful for maximizing
your input level without distortion. When recording, you generally want your
input signal to be as ‘hot’ as possible without clipping. This means you want
your input levels to be as high as possible without exceeding the range of
values that can be stored digitally when recording.When you clip, the peaks of
your waveform become clipped off resulting in distortion. The peak values
show you (in decibels) the highest peak that you have reached after selecting
the Monitor check box.
To adjust your levels, select the Monitor check box so that Sound Forge XP begins
to listen to your recording device.This is just like recording except that Sound
Forge XP doesn’t store any of the data it receives. Apply an input signal by
speaking into the microphone, playing your CD, or whatever it is you’re trying
to record. If the peak value stays at a low value, increase the levels of sound you
are supplying so that the peak value is somewhere in the -6 dB range. If the
peak reaches 0 dB, then you have clipped the waveform and will see the word
Clip above each meter. Once you lower your input levels, right-click on the
meters and select Reset to clear the current peak value. Sound Forge XP always
keeps the maximum peak displayed above the meters or via Hold Peaks.
Once you have adjusted your levels you can immediately begin recording by
selecting the Record button or end monitoring the levels by clearing the Monitor
check box.
It is particularly important to record sounds with the hottest levels
possible when you plan to later convert 16-bit data to 8-bit.This assures
that you will use the greatest dynamic range possible in an 8-bit file
(which uses fewer values to represent the waveform).
PREVIEWING RECORDED SOUNDS
After recording your material, you can listen to what you have recorded by
selecting the Play button in the Record dialog. To stop playback, select the Stop
button at any time.
RECORDING
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