Finding your sweet spot ( Audio settings)

[andrewzarian]

Over the past month we have been working hard at improving our audio quality for our podcasts. We have added 4 dbx 286s compressor/Preamp and uped our audio quality from 64kbps to 96kbps. The next thing we need to do is find the sweet spot for our volume. I have noticed that all my recordings are very low but the live broadcast is perfect.

Can you guys give me some tips on creating better audio quality for our Podcast?

[Donovan]

I'm no master at this, but after trial and error and some advice from Cliff, I usually try to make sure that my volume level on my recordings is between -6db and -1.5db with a hard limit of -1.5db. I also record everything at 128kbps.

[andrewzarian]

It has been a quest since getting the new Mic Preamp.

[Donovan]

It has been a quest since getting the new Mic Preamp.

I can imagine. I've gone back and listened to some of my first episodes and pretty much can't stand it. It's taken me months, sometimes sitting for hours testing audio levels, talking to myself, etc. just to get to something that I feel is "adequate".

[andrewzarian]

your ears also play a huge part in setting up your audio. Many people out there are using cheepo headphones that really dont represent what your sending out.

[AgentPete]

I find it nearly impossible to judge audio quality via headphones. I do like using Avantone Mixcubes speakers - they dona good job of simulating the average listening environment:
http://www.avantonepro.com/Avantone-...-Monitors.html