Recording Level Meters ???

[DigitalMusicProduction]

Thanks to everyone for your support on this topic.

[Gilly1]

The reason for levels going from 0 to negative values is because a fader is just another form of a volume knob, and volume knobs are attenuators. They can't increase a voltage level, but can decrease it. This in opposition to gain devices - amplifiers - that can increase a signal amplitude.

I think this is not correct. Cadets aren't just attenuated, they can both increase the signal voltage level (if adjusted upwards from 0db position) or decrease/attenuate the signal voltage level (if adjusted downwards from 0db position)

[Sam Spoons]

On most mixers the fader scale goes from -infinity to +10 dB (or something similar) with, as Merlin says, 0dB equalling 'no change in level'. That makes sense but historically the first faders were passive attenuators which can't increase gain, when faders with some gain became available they just adjusted the scale accordingly?

Welcome to the forum BTW

[Wonks]

It all depends on the circuit and application. Faders themselves, as Sam says, are attenuators, and if used purely an an in-line device can only maintain or reduce reduce the signal level.

But they can also say form part of an active boost circuit, where the signal is first boosted by say +10 dB before the fader and then passed to the fader (which will have markings up to +10dB on it). At the fader's 0dB point, it will be attenuating the signal by -10dB.

[ef37a]

It all depends on the circuit and application. Faders themselves, as Sam says, are attenuators, and if used purely an an in-line device can only maintain or reduce reduce the signal level.

But they can also say form part of an active boost circuit, where the signal is first boosted by say +10 dB before the fader and then passed to the fader (which will have markings up to +10dB on it). At the fader's 0dB point, it will be attenuating the signal by -10dB.

This^ is all true and I know many 'musical people' don't want to get into the electrical facts of sound but it can help. Douglas Self's book Small Signal Audio Design is virtually devoid of mathematics but gives an very good introduction to the world of audio electronics and the ever present challenge between noise at one extreme and distortion at the other.
He also debunks a great many audio myths which can trap and confuse the newb.

IMHO the OP would also benefit from purchasing a small mixer and playing with its faders and gain controls. Many charity and Cash Genny shops have small Behringers and Mackies for little money. A mixer is in any case a very handy box to have around.

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think this issue was put to bed 18 months ago... probably no need to rake through it all again.

[ef37a]

I think this issue was put to bed 18 months ago... probably no need to rake through it all again.

Wonks did not think so?

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

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