# Recorded a mix and then found the most minimal wave form. What did I do wrong? **URL:** \ **Category:** Mixes\ **Tags:** novation-twitch, waveform, recording-mix, zoom-h4n\ **Created:** [July 16, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/recorded-a-mix-and-then-found-the-most-minimal-wave-form-what-did-i-do-wrong/58821 "2013-07-16T08:24:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PFFP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/pffp/32/12470_2.png) [@PFFP](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/PFFP)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/recorded-a-mix-and-then-found-the-most-minimal-wave-form-what-did-i-do-wrong/58821/1 "2013-07-16T08:24:25Z")
**Recorded a mix and then found the most minimal wave form. What did I do wrong?** This is the first mix I’ve ever recorded-- I appreciate the help. This test mix has the most minimal wave form; is that a bad thing? If so, how bad? Here’s a screenshot of the mix on the top left: [![Imgur](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/7/6/76fc5908cedc4bb2fd6f0fd3a4f3ac0c9eba63ec.png "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/MwNUpnH) I reckon the opposite waveform is what mine should look like. I recorded my set to a Zoom H4n. The recording was encoded as 320 kbps MP3 at 44.1 khz. I used TRS inputs from my Novation Twitch to the H4n using the Master outs. The levels shown on the H4n didn’t go above 3/4ths. Additionally, when I play the mix, the sound levels are extremely low. This mix is intended for Soundcloud listening. What should I do to improve my mix? Thanks. -Max ---
**Author:** ![DeanOakley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/deanoakley/32/15396_2.png) [@DeanOakley](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DeanOakley)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/recorded-a-mix-and-then-found-the-most-minimal-wave-form-what-did-i-do-wrong/58821/2 "2013-07-16T15:19:56Z")
I always record my mixes at a lower volume to prevent any clipping. I then use Audacity to normalise it to -0.1db, it’s definitely not the right way to do it, but it’s how I do things. ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jester/32/12996_2.png) [@Jester](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/recorded-a-mix-and-then-found-the-most-minimal-wave-form-what-did-i-do-wrong/58821/3 "2013-07-16T22:30:28Z")
Its normal for a recording to come out quiet. Usually -12db - -15db is about right. As mentioned you then throw the recording into audacity ar similar to bring the volume up. I see you use a Twitch … why not just record in internal mode and save yourself a hassle? ---
**Author:** ![PFFP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/pffp/32/12470_2.png) [@PFFP](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/PFFP)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/recorded-a-mix-and-then-found-the-most-minimal-wave-form-what-did-i-do-wrong/58821/4 "2013-07-18T01:16:37Z")
> [@Jester](#): > > why not just record in internal mode and save yourself a hassle? I used the H4n as I’d like to record all of the mixes played in a night. Also, I have reliability issues with Itch/Twitch so I didn’t want to make it have a harder time while performing. So, I’ve turned the input up and now I see clipping; I can’t hear distortion though. Is that a problem? Also is the size of the waveform an indication of volume alone or an indication of the quality of the encoding as well? Thanks, Jester. Would you like to have a listen to the mix? [https://soundcloud.com/pffp/beneath-the-water-tower](https://soundcloud.com/pffp/beneath-the-water-tower)