Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] [OT] recording levels (mismatch)
From: Andres Cabrera (acabrera_AT_teleset.com.co)
Date: Tue Oct 12 2004 - 21:43:50 EEST
Hi Erik,
Usually audio equipment is setup to output/receive at two possible
levels -10dBu or +4dBV, Semi-pro equipment and home equipment usually
work at -10, which comes up as very low when the receiver is setup for
+4. But I would guess the soundblaster card is setup to work at -10 as
well (I'd be surprised if it isn't).
Maybe there's some software fader somewhere else in the chain?
Maybe you need to turn the volume of the amp/tuner all the way up?
You shouldn't need a preamp, because the amp/tuner thingy should do that
job.
Connecting to the speaker output wouldn't be good since speakers expect
a very high signal, so I would think it wouldn't work...
Andres
Erik Steffl wrote:
> I am trying to record from a receiver (not sure if that's the right
> name, it's the amp/tuner, the thingy that all other components like CD
> player, tape deck, video etc. connect to) and it seems like the levels
> are too low (the soundcard is soundblaster live platinum, using alsa
> drivers that come with kernel 2.6.5).
>
> the receiver has two stereo audio outputs - one is marked as tape deck
> recording and the other one as VCR output but both seem to be about the
> same (and there doesn't seem to be a way to change them). I connect them
> to the RCA connectors on the front panel (live drive) but even if I set
> the mixer to 100% (on line in) the levels are too low. On vu-meter the
> levels only go to about 25-30% (max) while the 'normal' audio is
> somewhere between 50-75%.
>
> I believe both the receiver and soundcard work OK (I can record from
> receiver to tape deck, I can record to soundcard from other sources) so
> I guess there's mismatch between the signal from receiver and what
> soundcard expects. Is there anything I can do? do I need some pre-amp or
> something? Seems crazy but does it make any sense to try to record from
> speaker outputs? Is there any way to change what soundblaster expects on
> input?
>
> TIA
>
> erik
>
>
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