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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: lpmaskman on October 04, 2013, 01:49:52 PM

Title: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: lpmaskman on October 04, 2013, 01:49:52 PM

Is anyone have a simple passive attenuator wiring diagram for stereo jack cables? About 10 or 20 dB will be okay I think.
I'd like build one for my Zoom H2.
(I want use my mic in as line in if the situation needs it, because the line have the typical defect and I'm not rich enough to buy a new recorder...)

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: Chuck on October 04, 2013, 04:44:24 PM

Here's a good source:

http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: lpmaskman on October 05, 2013, 04:54:17 AM

Quote from: Chuck on October 04, 2013, 04:44:24 PM

Here's a good source:

http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

Thanks! I'm trying to figure out what I need, but I see it's mostly for XLR cables and I don't know how to use it for simple stereo minijack one.

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: anr on October 05, 2013, 06:29:49 AM

You definitely need one of these to, for example, record on a Zoom H2 from a soundboard.  You will find 10dB is adequate.   20dB is far too much.  In practice, the resistors will all fit inside the 3.5mm connector shell.   

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: lpmaskman on October 05, 2013, 07:22:19 AM

Quote from: anr on October 05, 2013, 06:29:49 AM

You definitely need one of these to, for example, record on a Zoom H2 from a soundboard.  You will find 10dB is adequate.   20dB is far too much.  In practice, the resistors will all fit inside the 3.5mm connector shell.   

I recorded well from SBDs with the line-in in the past. So you think the 10dB pad will be enough for the mic in as use as line in?

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: anr on October 05, 2013, 08:02:21 AM

I think the issue here is that the H2 Line Input does not cope, and is not designed to, with "pro" levels from soundboards.   It is only specified for "consumer" levels.  Therefore, it will not overload if you record from your CD player, but will from a soundboard.

Adjusting the record level on the H2 is perfectly adequate for mic in levels, so you don't need to worry. 

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: lpmaskman on October 05, 2013, 10:28:08 AM

I solved the problem. Found my old mp3 player's remote controller which has a volume controller too. I tried with it. Connected to my Tascam audio interface and blasted music on max level(very loud), without this it really distorted but I turned the level down on remote and I got clean signal. :D

Title: Re: DIY attenuator pad wiring diagram?
Post by: DigiGal on October 05, 2013, 11:11:56 AM

I posted one here a while back...

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=154075.msg1996945#msg1996945