If you're having trouble with the sound over-peaking on a recording, it is usually caused by one of three main things:
1. Poor quality microphone, or possible just working too close to it without a windshield.
- wind blasts from the mouth can cause a low-frequency pop or rumble, and often sound distorted as the mics innards are working too hard!
2. Overloading the input amplifier (often called "preamp" - a preamplifier that brings up the level on the input to the main mixer).
- many basic systems have no adjustment for the preamp, but it's obviously worth experimenting with levels if you have the chance....
3. Overloading the digital recorder - if you over-peak when recording digitally, then you will get a nasty crackling sound. On old analogue machines you would have got a bit of distortion and the recording might still be usable, but you have to be more careful with high levels in digital systems.
- the best way to get around this is with a software plugin such as a compressor or limiter. Either (or both!) of these will help to reduce the peaks while not producing any distortion (providing they are set up correctly...).
