Yet another rookie question on rec-gain and eq...

So people keep telling me to sample at zero, guess that means rec-gain or whatever it is, right, the knob next to volume?! To keep the sound neat, nice and clean. Why is it important to keep it like that? El-P and RZA sure as hell didn't do that.

Others tell me to **** around with it like it doesn't matter at any part of the recording process.

What's the difference? I know you can overdrive the signal and get that digital distortion if you turn the rec-gain up. I guess most hip hop producers don't find it desirable.

Another thing I keep seeing is the eq, mixing. Others act like the sound should be right BEFORE sampling, although I'm naturally gonna mix the tracks when I get em out the MPC when recording. Does it really matter at all?

Let's say I'm sampling straight from my portable Vestax Handytrax. You suggest I turn it down first, LOL?!

Thanks for your patience, people. I'm new here, and shit's confusing as hell! I appreciate help in any form, links included.

There is nothing good about digital distortion, analog distortion(also known as warmth) can sound very appealing though.

As far as recording from the Vestax, turn the volume on the tt up about 3/4 of the way and then turn the rec gain knob up on the MPC until you're getting a nice clean signal. If you have the volume too low on the tt and compensate by turning the trim up on the MPC you'll get more noise.

Do a search on unity gain and you'll probably find some useful info.

yeah or gain structure. I sample most stuff bout 3/4 the way up on the 2kxl. I keep usin the reset fkey to see where its at

Thanks guys! But what about the eq stuff?!

n/m

I sample as loud as possible off of records. i find if i sample low, its harder to get the bass sounds bangin when filtering, just too low