i dont know if this would be useful but have been wondering..:

if recording with a mono mic (i have at897) why not set manual levels differently to each channel. surely at edit stage that would offer flexibility to use the most successful channel.

i have situations around motorbikes that are moderate noise with dialogue and then someone starts blipping throttles.

i realise all sounds will still be relative but some kind of novice logic makes me think the approach could help??

It can help with keeping your recording levels usable for both extremes and is a common practice.
However, it won't help if the difference is so extreme that it results in overloading of the mic inputs. This overload occurs in the chain before the level controls. In that case, you must either use attenuation on one leg of the input or use two separate mics.

<<<-- Originally posted by Jay Massengill : It can help with keeping your recording levels usable for both extremes and is a common practice.
However, it won't help if the difference is so extreme that it results in overloading of the mic inputs. This overload occurs in the chain before the level controls. In that case, you must either use attenuation on one leg of the input or use two separate mics. -->>>

Persactly. Or, how loud is loud?

Ty Ford

thanks guys...thats helpful.