gain-staging tr-606 snares (RMS vs. huge peaks)

DinosaurSR · Post by **DinosaurSR** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:29 am

I'm recording a TR-606 drum machine, and the snares are really interesting. However, they have massive peaks - if I get the RMS level of them at around -18dbfs, the transient/attack peaks will still even clip 0dbfs sometimes! Where should I be recording these things at, level-wise, to get the best tone? I find that if I keep dropping them down to accommodate those peaks, they lose their punch.

Future One · Post by **Future One** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:54 pm

What's your recording chain?

DinosaurSR · Post by **DinosaurSR** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:56 pm

606 into motu 828 mk3 into Logic.

Future One · Post by **Future One** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:08 pm

I'd record those snares with peaks hitting around -6dbfs.

Most converters are calibrated so that 0dbu = -18dbfs.

Make sure you're recording at 24bit and you're good to go.

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:46 pm

or turn down the accent knob a fraction

madtho · Post by **madtho** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:24 pm

Sometimes I record the 606 with a few passes, one full kit for alignment, one low end (maybe hats, the kick ducks the hats beautifully with weak batteries), one snare (so I can keep the accent knob cranked).

The snare also sounds great soloed and squashed.
-mad

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:58 am

i rarely have the accent knob past one or two, i don't really like how trashy it gets.

agree about processing the sounds separately. i like to eq and effect separately and then buss them all to a pair of chandler germ comps.

here's my 606:

JohnDavisNYC · Post by **JohnDavisNYC** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:45 pm

HOLY SHIT.

THAT IS THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.

j

decocco · Post by **decocco** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:42 am

That truly is the beast!

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:19 am

well, it actually finally arrived last week and i have some better pics now:

should have more info and sound files on my blog in a week or two, when i get back to japan.

madtho · Post by **madtho** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:46 pm

Roland TR-OMG

decocco · Post by **decocco** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:20 am

I would love to hear some examples of what that thing can do.

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:40 am

sample on my blog!

http://hermetech.blogspot.com/

Brett Siler · Post by **Brett Siler** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:10 pm

Try the snare going into a compressor before the DAW.

That thing looks sweet as hell by the way.

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:06 pm

thanks dude!

sorry for hijacking your thread btw DinosaurSR!

yeah been meaning to try the snare on its own chandler germ comp, record, and then maybe put the whole submix back through the germs again.

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gain-staging tr-606 snares (RMS vs. huge peaks)

gain-staging tr-606 snares (RMS vs. huge peaks)

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