Topic: Sony SACD line out --> PCM M10 line in (Is there a setting I haven't found?)

[johnferrier]

I expected to be able to "record" SACDs (for personal use) using the line in of the M10. However, I find even with the recording dial set to 10, the record/monitor levels are very low. For example, I can play a track with 1 kHz 0 dB (~1Vrms--max line out) and the M10 shows a level of -38 dB. Turning the recording dial down decreases the monitor volume and the meter goes below -40 dB. Everything I tried records very low. Mostly tried manual, but have also tried auto. (Interal mic recordings are fine.)

I recall reading (lost link) about someone having a similar problem that went away by working the recording dial back and forth a few times. (Of course, tried that.)

Brand new unit. Is there a setting I haven't found?


Thanks, in advance, for any advice!


---


Found link http://www.theatreofnoise.com/2010/09/revisiting-sony-pcm-m10-versus-olympus.html

This person was using the internal mic. . .

"With the Rec Level selector turned set to manual and the Rec Level knob rotated to 10 (maximum), I'm recording my own voice at a distance of approximately 18 inches from the mics. I speak with a moderately loud speaking volume, similar to having a lively conversation with a large group. The sound level in my recordings reaches only about -22db on average, peaking around -18db."

"Ok, I'm the guy who posted the Record Level problem (recordings too quiet) above. The issue is solved! Believe it or not, it seems my Rec Level potentiometer/knob needed some breaking in. For no particular reason, I turned the knob back and forth a few times before making a recording this evening, with the thought that the potentiometer/knob might wear-in a little. After I made the same voice recording with the Record Level on "10" again and with the mics positioned 18" from my mouth, I was rewarded with a Record Level that was so loud it completely clipped 0db! Thereafter I needed to turn the Rec Level knob to "4" or "5" to get it within a good range. No more quiet recordings anymore, this M10 is working perfectly now."

[andromedanwarmachine]

well, that's interesting...

There's a couple of things that could be going on there. But aside from the recorder, are you able to verify the O/P level on another piece of gear...?

Is there a reason why you are using the LINE I/P as opposed to a digital I/P...?

JimP

[dallman]

Sorry, I don't buy the breaking in of the rec level knob. Something likely happened, but breaking the knob in was not it.

What are you outputting from? It sounds like the output does not have enough gain. Have you tried the output to mic in? Maybe that will solve the problem and while perhaps not ideal, it that works you probably do not have enough gain and to go line in would in order to do so would require a preamp of some sort.

[johnferrier]

Mystery solved . . . was I surpised !!!

The short of this is that there is an attenuation circuit in the Sony RCA to 1/8 mini cable I was trying to use. Phew!!! (I found it in the box of cables collected over the years.) A new cable was ordered, arrival tomorrow??? Strange. A no-name cable is working fine now.

To answer a question that perhaps was raised . . . there is no Digital I/P for SACD, just thought I'd do an analog "rip" (of my own discs) for fun. So, Sony SACD CDP --> Sony PCM.

Thanks guys for a bit of time!


. . .


And successfully created nearly a 2gB wav file (96/24) of Bruckner's 9th Symphony. Not a favorite, but it's a start :-P

[andromedanwarmachine]

wow- that sounds like a scary cable to have around! BIN IT!!

fair enough- all's well that ends well and all that!