I am having problems recording classical music (e.g. Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4). The dynamic range is such that the quiet passages cause 'Level too low' (and cause recording to stop if 'Auto recording stop' selected) and loudest passages cause 'Level too high' for a given volume setting and exceed clipping level.
What settings should I use to accommodate these large dynamic ranges please?
First, I would turn off the Auto Recording Stop, just because it is a nightmare for classical pieces. I would try it where the sections get to low, because clipping just ruins the entire recording.
Also, keep in mind that the audio is processed by hardware (analog to digital converters) that is controlled and recorded by the Audio Cleaning Lab. If you have a lower quality converter then you will notice this... If you get a more sophisticated sound card or audio device, then the sound will improve, this the levels will not need as much adjustment.
That can be more expensive than just buying new music though, so here is things I have done with computers like laptops that have inferior sound devices.
I record it twice... once with the settings low so I get the volume without clipping, the other with the volume higher so I get the lows where they are audible. I will cut edit these together in and make a final mix...