Topic: Korg MR-1

[desertsky]

I sent a PM to jerrythek at Korg about the issue and included a link to my posting.  Let's see what he finds out from Korg engineers.  Let's hope they already know the cause and working on a fix.   

[Nick's Picks]

dont get your hopes up.
one person w/a one time bug isn't going to get the wheels turning too vigorously.

[Digital Quality]

Out of curiosity, what version firmware are you on? I've been bad about staying on top of the firmware updates.. I think I'm still on the 2nd version.

[desertsky]

I'm using firmware 1.5.1., the one that came out in May.  I don't think they've released a new firmware since then.

[Digital Quality]

Ya - I'm still on 1.5.0. Doesn't really look like big changes from 1.5.0 to 1.5.1 tho.

[SClassical]

Hi...I got a really nice dongle for the MR-1 so if anyone wants it let me know - picture is here:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90455.0.html

[bgalizio]

Quick question for you MR-1 users - is there a true, 0dB gain line-in on this unit? There's so much fuss about what setting is or is not "unity gain" on the R-09 that I'm tempted to ditch it!

[guysonic]

Quick question for you MR-1 users - is there a true, 0dB gain line-in on this unit? There's so much fuss about what setting is or is not "unity gain" on the R-09 that I'm tempted to ditch it!

A recent R-09 FAQ post points to Roland service claiming #13 line setting is unity. 

Since MR-1 has specific balanced input maximum rating (+9-to- +12 dBu ? can't remember for sure) specification, simply setting your preamplifier to that maximum output allows the deck to be set accordingly at ~0 dB gain.  Then reading full scale deck VU suggests input gain is at or near unity, or so I would think. 

Most any external preamp used,  should be clearly specified for having a maximum output dBu level, and often is close to the (+9 to +12 dB ?) maximum of the MR-1 balanced input spec.  If this is so, using the preamp's VU or clip overload indication to verify the deck's VU reading is same suggests having deck's near unity gain setting about right.

[gmm6797]

A recent R-09 FAQ post points to Roland service claiming #13 line setting is unity. 

Not trying to be a wise ass, but how is this related to the Korg MR-1?

Wouldn't all recording devices be set differently for volume setting, since they would all be designed differently?

[guysonic]

A recent R-09 FAQ post points to Roland service claiming #13 line setting is unity. 

Not trying to be a wise ass, but how is this related to the Korg MR-1?

Wouldn't all recording devices be set differently for volume setting, since they would all be designed differently?

Yes, preamp models have different output ability, but usually not that different. 

Your preamp has a MAXIMUM output (bal/unbal) specification (look this up to know); typically this is ~+9dbv depending on model.


MR-1 input spec is +9 dBv maximum, so if maximum preamp is near same, then preamp gain setting operating the preamp near maximum VU (or just below showing clip) output INTO (the deck's) LINE WITH MR-1 variable REC level adjustment at 10% to 60% full up setting should put you in the unity deck input operating range.

[gmm6797]

so, if the attached are my specs, where would I run the MR1 or the R09? (sorry for the bad scans, best I have available)

[guysonic]

so, if the attached are my specs, where would I run the MR1 or the R09? (sorry for the bad scans, best I have available)

I reading your pre output specs correctly, suggest setting your preamp with output gain adjusted down ~2-3 steps below where the output clipping light shows overload (your pre spec indicates clip LED at +11 dB, 2 dB above MR-1 max input spec). 

Then adjust MR-1 deck (line input) REC level for having good VU readings. 

This should give optimum preamp/MR-1 settings. 

R-09's setting is ~#8-#10 (likely negative gain region) if preamp is adjusted the same as used for MR-1.

If wanting R-09 at #13 (claimed line input unity setting), then your preamp's gain needs be adjusted downward by a few more steps below that being used with the MR-1, so R-09 set at #13 is getting good VU level with preamp gain adjustment steering the deck's VU levels, or so it would seem. 

[gmm6797]

so, if the attached are my specs, where would I run the MR1 or the R09? (sorry for the bad scans, best I have available)

I reading your pre output specs correctly, suggest setting your preamp with output gain adjusted down ~2-3 steps below where the output clipping light shows overload (your pre spec indicates clip LED at +11 dB, 2 dB above MR-1 max input spec). 

Then adjust MR-1 deck (line input) REC level for having good VU readings. 

This should give optimum preamp/MR-1 settings. 

R-09's setting is ~#8-#10 (likely negative gain region) if preamp is adjusted the same as used for MR-1.

If wanting R-09 at #13 (claimed line input unity setting), then your preamp's gain needs be adjusted downward by a few more steps below that being used with the MR-1, so R-09 set at #13 is getting good VU level with preamp gain adjustment steering the deck's VU levels, or so it would seem.

The only problem, is that the Schoeps Pre-Amp I showed the specs has the following settings:
ON
ON +10db
ON +20db
ON +30db

That kind of screws me on the setting, no?

[guysonic]

so, if the attached are my specs, where would I run the MR1 or the R09? (sorry for the bad scans, best I have available)

I reading your pre output specs correctly, suggest setting your preamp with output gain adjusted down ~2-3 steps below where the output clipping light shows overload (your pre spec indicates clip LED at +11 dB, 2 dB above MR-1 max input spec). 

Then adjust MR-1 deck (line input) REC level for having good VU readings. 

This should give optimum preamp/MR-1 settings. 

R-09's setting is ~#8-#10 (likely negative gain region) if preamp is adjusted the same as used for MR-1.

If wanting R-09 at #13 (claimed line input unity setting), then your preamp's gain needs be adjusted downward by a few more steps below that being used with the MR-1, so R-09 set at #13 is getting good VU level with preamp gain adjustment steering the deck's VU levels, or so it would seem.

The only problem, is that the Schoeps Pre-Amp I showed the specs has the following settings:
ON
ON +10db
ON +20db
ON +30db

That kind of screws me on the setting, no?

If those are preamp gain settings, then find the setting that makes preamp's clip indicator work on loudest sounds, choosing one gain setting less as the way to go for best preamp+ headroom performance.

That is if your deck can take the resulting line level without overload, and if not, consider needing a passive attenuation pad between pre and deck input so both work in their uncompromising 'cruising' modes.

The idea is to operate the preamp on signal peaks to be within 5-12 dB of it's maximum output ability, and the deck getting near its maximum input ability on those peaks. 

This is the ideal, but not ABSOLUTELY necessary to be exact, just try to get as close to the ideal as is practical. 

[bgalizio]

Jerry says my AERCO MP-2 clips at +24dBM:

The AERCO clips at about +24 dBM which in the special case of a standard (600
Ohm) load is the same as dBv. Since the preamp can drive a 600 ohm load with
~0 loss of signal (low output impedance), the dBU (unloaded output)
is the same.

So as long as I don't go over +6dBV into the Korg, I won't have brickwalling problems, right?