Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] [OT] recording levels (mismatch)
From: Erik Steffl (steffl_AT_bigfoot.com)
Date: Wed Oct 13 2004 - 00:02:17 EEST
Andres Cabrera wrote:
> 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?
I don't think so, at least I am not aware of anything. The volume is
too low even when I just use the alsamixer to listen to it. When I
connect other devices (ipod, line6 guitar pod, yamaha dd-55 percussion
pad) the volume is OK.
Actually maybe I could use headphone output, I didn't think of that
(it should be pretty much the same as iPod or guitar pod, I use the same
headphones with all of these).
> Maybe you need to turn the volume of the amp/tuner all the way up?
nothing I do on amp changes the output in any way (volume,
treble/bass, various effects, dolby settings etc.).
erik
> 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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