Question for recording device

[averiguar]

Hi guys (and ladies!),
If I were to take the output of a track I recorded (the volume is too low) from the recorder and fed it back into the input of the device either straight with a standard cord, or after trying to beef up the signal using my multi-effects pedal as an ad-hoc amplifier, would there be any risk of damaging my recorder due to feedback?
Has anyone ever attempted this?

[64Guitars]

It's not a good idea and it's unnecessary since there are better ways to boost the level of a track. One way is to bounce the track to another track while increasing the level. But the best way is to export the track as a WAV file and load it into Audacity. You can then use Audacity's Normalize effect to optimize the level. Then you can export the normalized WAV file from Audacity and import it back into your recorder.

If the track's level is extremely low, you would be better off just re-recording the track at the proper level. Otherwise, you're boosting the unwanted noise in the track as well as the wanted signal and you can end up with a noisy track.

[averiguar]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look into this Audacity, because I'm kinda fed up with my Cubase LE5's temperamental-ness and constant glitching. I can only hope Audacity is more intuitive and less freeze-up prone.

[IanR]

If your original recording was too low and you amplify it to get it loud enough, you will also amplify the other noise you recorded and this will be more noticeable. It's best to take the time to re-record the track at the right level. 

Do some test recordings prior and listen back to them before you try to do the real take.  Thie way, you can also audition effects and other things as you go.  It may take longer to get into the position of attempting to record the final take but at least you know what you are going to be hearing at the other end.  All that advice does not account for those times that you will accidentally record something great that would be hard to recreate.  If that has happened then you might just have to live with the noise. Or you could try to EQ the signal to reduce the noise in the frequencies that do not include the signal you want to keep.

Ian

[T.C. Elliott]

IanR has a good point, but I'll point out that with digital recording the noise floor is FAR less of an issue than with analogue recording.  I record relatively near my furnace and still get very little noise in my digital recording. Trying to increase the gain of a track and then rendering it out as another WAV file (as 64guitars suggested) is definitely worth the time if you've got a good take that needs tweaked. Just use your ears to make sure the result is satisfactory.