MIOConsole3d Session
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The two horizontal lines running across the display can be dragged up or down to set your trigger
and de-trigger thresholds (or un-trigger, if you prefer).
Trigger Threshold:
The upper line is your Trigger threshold. When you click on it, the line will highlight
as you move it and the Trigger Threshold reference level in dBFS will appear above the display.
When the incoming signal level hits this threshold, recording will start, with preroll audio written at
the start of the new Take.
The maximum Trigger Threshold setting is -3.0dBFS, and the minimum is -50dBFS.
Trigger and Preroll:
Judicious setup of Preroll with respect to Trigger level allows you to set the
threshold high enough to avoid false starts, but still capture quieter pre-downbeat events like intro
music swells at the beginning of a live concert. The applications are endless, and the features really
beg to be played with.
De-trigger Threshold:
The lower line is the ‘De-trigger’ threshold. De-trigger will always be below the
trigger threshold. Clicking on the de-trigger threshold will highlight the threshold line and display
the De-trigger reference level.
The maximum De-trigger Threshold setting is -6.0dBFS, and the minimum is -55dBFS.
De-trigger and Postroll:
Postroll plays a huge role in getting the most out of level-based recording.
When the audio level drops to the De-trigger level, it cues the postroll timer, delaying the end of
the Take. If, during postroll, the audio level rises back to the Trigger threshold, postroll is cancelled
and the recording continues uninterrupted.
You can see how useful this feature becomes for any number of recording scenarios from live concert
capture to spoken word to production sound to semi-automated preservation transfers.
Mini-editorial
Probably
the
best thing about level-based record triggering is that, as a working sound
engineer with a ton of stuff to keep track of, the feature lets you relax just that bit more
than usual, confident that the system is running and you don‘t have to be literally tied
to the tech rig with your finger on the trigger for every second of a session. That five
to twenty seconds of pre/postroll can feel like an eternity in-session, and knowing that
the Session has your back, and can buy you the time to get back to the console without
missing some unexpected event lets you concentrate more on enjoying the gig and less
on the stress.
The
other
best thing about level trigger mode is, in your home studio you can leave
Record engaged all the time... Thus in the middle of the night (or whenever inspiration
strikes) you can stagger into the studio and just start playing - Session will record your
ideas automagically (including a lovely preroll, if so desired).
