so i went searching for a device to be able to grab OT audio more conveniently and “properly” (currently have no audio interface at all). OT output level is +17dBu
my options were:
audient evo4. +10 dBu input level
komplete audio 2. +20 dBu
zoom h4n pro. line level input +2 dBu
zoom h5. +22 dBu with something called PAD on (-20 dB attenuator but i don’t fully understand what it does exactly)
from the specs it looks like komplete audio is the only suitable option. but something tells me that probably i’m reading all this wrong. i know people use zoom recorders for capturing DT/OT/whatever output (do you lower volume on the device?). also, i’m not sure how exactly it translates into end result — does lowering output level to match recorder’s/interface input level affect the outcome at all?
so what would you recommend for the aforementioned use case? i’d like to go recorders (zoom/tascam/maybe something else), but if there’s really that difference in quality indeed, i’ll consider regular audio interfaces as well of course.
My personal suggestion based on personal experience: in this day and age, and considering your list of options specifically, I wouldn’t think about it too hard. I especially wouldn’t think too hard about what a “proper” way to capture audio is.
The way I see it quite simple: if I can adjust the input level of a device so that when the OT’s volume is at max it doesn’t clip the device (i.e., I can set the OT to max volume, and the recorder to peak at, idk, -6dB), then I am satisfied. Generally, most audio interfaces or digital recorder do that. I would therefore focus on other things these devices offer that would be beneficial to me. But as far as the basics of recording and adjusting input levels and what not, I wouldn’t overthink it. I could also just leave the device’s input at a fixed level and adjust the OT’s volume as needed, but idk, I do it the other way and that’s just me - I don’t know if there is a proper way, nor do I care, because I don’t see the difference.
I have a Komplete Audio MKII and it’s great. Everything I record through it sounds fine. I also have a Tascam recorder thing, and it also does the job fine. Both allow me to adjust the input, and in my workflow, I always max out the volume of whatever, and adjust the input of the KA MKII or the Tascam as needed.