Tape levels

[puranon]

What is the hottest input level tape is supposed to receive, -18db?

[puranon]

Anybody on this one? What levels do we want to be feeding Tape?

[carlaz]

I'm not sure that IKM has a pronouncement on this, but I tend to aim to feed the plugin -18 dBFS (not a terrible "rule of thumb" for many current plugins for many manufacturers), and then I adjust the input controls within the plugin to hit the "virtual tape" etc. as hard or as soft as seems appropriate. Then I'll likewise tweak the output controls within the plugin to try to ensure that the signal coming out of the plugin is back at around -18 dbFS.

Basically, I'm trying to keep the signal hitting the plugins themselves pretty modest (i.e. around -18 dBFS), but of course, within the plugin you can get all crazy with higher levels, if you see what I mean. (I think this makes sense, but ... if it doesn't, then hopefully someone will let us both know! )

[puranon]

The max saturation we can get from the plug is 15db. Maybe feeding it -18db is too low?

[carlaz]

Well, you can always feed the plugin levels greater than -18 dbFS and see if that works! If its sounds like you want it to sound, then it's the right thing to do!