Proper Recording level setup query
 

Hi guys,
Im a newbie and I appreciate your time and input

This is my issue....
We can record fine , master stereo track, and export to computer , open in Audacity fine....... but the audio levels are wrong... vocal is to loud, guitar is to low...

I understand how to amplify audio with Audacity but no matter which track I select , the gain is applied to both tracks
I've tried creating mono track but no sucess with adjusting audio to my liking

So, I must be doing something(s) wrong starting at my recorder setup
and would appreciate your help with the proper setup, levels etc before we record

We have a Tascam 8 channel DP 008 and are recording wife's singing on one track and my guitar (acoustic electric with active pickup )on another track

Mic and guitar are plugged into amp for effects availability
then routed to recorder inputs
Recorded sound is good

I set the Tascam tracks trim adjustment to just below lighting the overload light

I set the earphones to max volumn to be able to hear best

I master the tracks at the same appropriate audio levels as when recording the tracks

I export to Audacity and although the playback sound is fine , the vocals are much louder than the instruments


What the heck am I doing wrong??


Thanks very much

Steve

It's hard to say what you're doing wrong. If you post a link to a detailed diagram of your routing, I'll try to help you sort things out.

Just from what I'm reading (and I could be mis-interperating) it sounds like you are making a stereo "final mix" that you import into Audacity. You can't adjust individual levels very easily once you create a stereo file.

What software are you using to capture the audio. Can you adjust in there to get the balance just right.

And FWIW - aim for -12dBfs as your level when recording, not just below clipping. You'll maximize your soundstage and also your hardware's sound.

This is a great video with insight about levels from the creator of the Metric Halo interfaces & software.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9qyuV9dRDo

HTH

The original vocal recording was stereo or mono?
The original guitar recording was stereo or mono?

You combined the two into one single stereo track and it sounded fine
but when that single stereo track was imported into Audacity the volume levels were imbalanced?

Thanks to all for their input.....

This particular response made me realize what I was doing wrong

I went back to my recorder and remastered the songs at a higher gain
And the results were good

My recorder's meter doesn't show db levels , just the bars, so it took a few tries to get in the sweet spot for my recordings

I appreciate the help

Steve