Sampling & mixer volume

When you're sampling from wax through a mixer, should you get all the samples at the same dB level (indicated by LEDs) when they're recorded into the mpc? ...I'm thinkin it's not, but just thought I'd see what you guys say.

Also, when you're sampling into the mpc via a mixer, should you keep the channel/volume fader on the mixer at full, and use the gain to adjust volume if needed? Or should they both be used together to get the right sound?... If so, how?

You want to record as loud as possible INTO ur mpc without clipping/distortion. That way u wont have boost the signal in ur mpc as this may color the sound. You may want to consider getting a preamp (if u dont already have one) to boost the db level in ur turntable. hope this helps

1 ez

cybernaga595 wrote:You want to record as loud as possible INTO ur mpc without clipping/distortion. That way u wont have boost the signal in ur mpc as this may color the sound. You may want to consider getting a preamp (if u dont already have one) to boost the db level in ur turntable. hope this helps

1 ez

I thought my mixer acted as a pre-amp? It's a rane ttm 56 if it's any consolation.
With the whole distortion/clipping thing... should I just listen to through monitors and keep going up until I hear any distortion? - Should you use the LED indicators on the mixer as a guide to the signal strength or just trust what you hear from your monitors?

Also, while monitoring samples like this and adjusting the output level getting ready to record into the mp, what is a good level to have the master output set at? (assuming; master out on mixer -> monitors, line out on mixer -> xl)

Thanks for all the help.
Much appreciated.

bump

When you're in the SAMPLE screen just make sure the level meter isn't all the way to the right. Or when you're looking at the sample the waves shouldn't be touching the "top" of the screen. You could just take the sample to Sound Forge or whatever, too, and look at the level meter there, if it clips, you recorded it too loud. If the samples aren't loud enough, you can always normalize them.

yes your RANE acts as a phono amp, every DJ mixer amplifies the turntable signal... anything that has a "phono" input has a pre-amp on that input...

when monitoring while sampling i would watch the LED meters on the mixer, and it also doesnt hurt to listen closely to your monitors...you want it as high as you can get it without hitting the red(clipping) in the mixer, then as high as you can get it in the MPC without clipping also... i usually listen to the monitors when sampling and then when im truncating the sample i will use my headphones, but maybe using headphones while sampling will be better for you... just do any EQing if you are doing any of that before you sample, before you put the headphones on...

hope this helps a bit...

Peace