Topic: Is my microphone's output too "hot" for the integrated preamp of my MD?

[fandelive]

Hello,
I recently recorded a nice showcase in front of an intimate audience, using my Sony MZ-R700 MD and SoundPro's SP-BMC-12.

I plugged the mics and battery-box (set at 69Hz) into the "mic-in" plug and set the recording level manually (05/30).

The sound of my tape don't even reach the -12dB peak, but I'm getting distortions...

Is my microphone's output too "hot" for the integrated preamp of my MD?

MZ-R700PC microphone input:
Minimum input level: 0.25mV

SP-BMC-12:
>Signal To Noise Ratio: 60 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
>Dynamic Range: 81dB without battery module, 96dB with battery module
>Frequency Response: 20- 20,000 Hz
>Open Circuit Sensitivity: -42 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
>Maximum Input Sound Level: 110 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. (125dB when powered by our battery module)

Thanks in advance.
-Frank

Brickwall:  (pulled this off of Victor Yiu's D7/D8 page)

"Brickwalling occurs when the output of your microphones is too hot for the preamp you are using (either the deck's input or an outboard mic-line amp), which results in the preamp being overloaded.

[nickgregory]

if you are using the batt box, you need to run the MD at Line input

[fandelive]

you think it's because I used the battery box?
the bass roll-off filter worked well...

I made some other recordings using the battery box plugged into the "mic-in". It worked well, but it was just some tests in front of my home stereo.

It was a very intimate show and I really doubt we got more than 110 dB SPL, even if I was sitting first row and about 1 meter far from Popa Chubby.

You can listen to a small sound clip:
http://cmlien.free.fr/popa.mp3

-Frank

[nickgregory]

the problem is you are powering it twice...the batt box already provides power...just go line in on the minidisc.....and that should solve it....

[fandelive]

just go line in on the minidisc.....and that should solve it....

yes, but when using line-in, you get more shuffle noise because you have to push up the recording level...

-Frank

[jesse]

I just sold my MZ-R700 which I used for over 2 years and never had a problem with it.  I don't understand the shuffling noise you're having when manualy seting youre levels.   You should be geting better recordings when using line-in though.

[Sean Gallemore]

try line-in, test it out in your living room/bedroom with a stereo and report back

[fandelive]

thank you all for your answers.  
line-in works well. I just thought I could get a great recording using the mic input, because it was an intimate show (and I really doubt the sound reached the 110 dB SPL peak).

next time: line-in  
greetings
-Frank