How do I keep from getting distortion when recording loud vocal passages?
This is the exciting topic of Dynamic Range! Dynamic range is the difference in decibles from the loudest point of the program material to the noise floor. In other words, dynamic range defines the maximum change in audible program levels. The human ear has a dynamic range of approximately 140 dBu. It can detect very minute changes in sound pressure levels. Electronic recording equipment has limitations as to what it can reproduce in regards to program material. A typical digital recorder has approximately 100 dBu of dynamic range whereas as cassette deck has approximately 70 dBu of dynamic range. The differences between real world program material and the limitations of recording gear can cause an overload on tape. To address the problem of controlling signal peaks during recording, you need to decrease the dynamic range of the program material. This is done by using a tool called a compressor. A compressor does just what is sounds like, it compresses the dynamic range of the program
