Recording Handbook - Hol.gr

to a line level input and hear the sound by turning the volume up, but
you'll also turn up the noise. Similarly, you can put a line level
signal into a mic level input and turn the channel down, but you may
overload the input and cause distortion.
Typically, you want to see a good strong (but not distorting) signal
when the input channel is a 80% or so of maximum volume. With a
slider to set the input impedance, you can get the best 'match'
between instrument and 4-track.
tstrohma@theodolite.ae.calpoly.edu (Trevor Strohman) writes:
Line levels come in two types: -10 dB and +4dB. Consumer equipment is
usually -10dB and pro equipment is -10 or +4. Usually the difference
between the two types is small enough that the gain control on the
mixer/4-track can handle the difference.
For a 4-track studio, +4 signals almost are never come across.
Examples of consumer line level equipment include tape decks, CD
players, and synthesizers. Record players are _not_ line level and
require a preamp. Their voltages are comparable to microphone levels.
Electric guitars are tricky, because they are usually stronger in
voltage than a microphone and yet lower than a line-level signal. Use
the gain knob wisely.
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