Using Outboard Pres With The Motu 828, How do you set the optimum levels? Options

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody using the 828 with outboard pres knew of how to get the optimum signal into the computer. Do you set the levels on the pre first so that they sound right and then adjust the trim on the interface so that it doesn't clip? That seems to make sense to me but having the extra knob in the signal path seems a little confusing.

Any tips on recording drums this way? Do people usually employ a limiter to prevent clipping when recording digitally? I'm used to tape which is a little more forgiving in these regards. Thanks.

-Matt

[deleted]

I was wondering if anybody using the 828 with outboard pres knew of how to get the optimum signal into the computer. Do you set the levels on the pre first so that they sound right and then adjust the trim on the interface so that it doesn't clip? That seems to make sense to me but having the extra knob in the signal path seems a little confusing.

As nobody jumped in, i'll try to answer your question, even if i don"t have a 828, but an US-428, with a preamp, too, so it's the same story.

I'll say:
1) get a good input level, on the preamp (keep a headroom, to avoid clipping, or even use the integreted limter/compressor, but softly)
2) get a good output level, on the preamp depending on...
3) get a good input level on the 828, at a nominal level (trim set to 0, no gain or reduction, ref +4dBu, depending on the interface)

To summarize, try to keep the maximum dynamic at every stage of the signal, from the very beginning (preamp in) to the end (audio interface input).

Any tips on recording drums this way?  Do people usually employ a limiter to prevent clipping when recording digitally?  I'm used to tape which is a little more forgiving in these regards.  Thanks.

My tips will be to get the appropriate microphones, and to rehearse the whole a bit, to set the input levels on preamps or on the mixing board. Are you doing multitrack recording, or a stereo one?

Bye.