Topic: Strange problem using Mic2496 pre-amp with iHp-120 recorder

[fmaderjr]

I have an iHP-120 rock boxed recorder that records perfectly analog in. I heard you can use it with a Mic2496 Pre-amp, so I just bought a used one to try digital in recording to my iHP-120. When I power the Mic2496 with A/C it produces a perfect recording into the iHP-120. However when I power it with a 9 volt battery, the pitch of the recording is way off (too slow with a Kodak alkaline and too fast with a 300 mAh rechargeable).

The problem appears to be in the iHP-120 (or how the 2 work together) and not with the Mic2496 because the Mic2496 powered by a 9 volt produces a perfect recording when used to feed a Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD recorder. Unfortunately, I don't need a pre-amp for the Hi-MD.

Does anybody have any ideas how to get these 2 to play nicely together? An external battery pack (which I received with the machine but haven't charged yet) may well work since it plugs in where the A/C does, but I would prefer to be able to use it with a 9 volt if possible.

[AlexG]

The problem appears to be in the iHP-120 (or how the 2 work together) and not with the Mic2496 because the Mic2496 powered by a 9 volt produces a perfect recording when used to feed a Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD recorder. Unfortunately, I don't need a pre-amp for the Hi-MD.

Have you tried swapping in the inputs on the fly from a 2nd feed like a cd player?  Do you notice a change in speed then?  Does the second feed sound slow too?  My bet is the CD player will sound fine.  I just don't see how connecting a 1/8 analog input into a recorder could cause the recorder to slow it down.  I think you need to look back at the Mic2496.

[bugg100]

Some have talked about optical sync requiring the pre to boot and stabilize first, then booting the 120 and dropping into record mode.

I have experience with the 320 analog, and am new to the 120 and optical, but I remember reading on the team iriver board.....  Lots of technical stuff there.....  Drop in there and link to this post asking for help...  Sorry I can't help more!

Joe

[ghibliss]

What bit-depth and sampling rate does the IHP 120 take?  The switches on the MIC 2496 set these to a variety of combinations of 16 or 24 bit and from 38 to 192 kHz.  The speed issue which you hear is quite likely a mismatch from the mic 2496 output not matching the input of you IHP 120.  I have heard what this sounds like using my MIC 2496 and a M-Audio microtrack with a mismatch and know what you are experiencing.  I was able to correct the recordings which I made with software editing so that the recordings were just fine after correcting the rates.
 

[jmz93]

"The switches on the MIC 2496 set these to a variety of combinations of 16 or 24 bit and from 38
to 192 kHz."

38K? Do you mean 32K?

And, the MIC2496 does not output 16 bits, no matter where the switches are. Running it into a 16-bit recorder will cause the least significant 8 bits to be truncated, ie. thrown away.

It outputs 24-bit, and then 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96KHZ, depending on the switch positions.  If you want 192KHZ, you'll need to open the unit up and move jumpers around.

[fmaderjr]

I just noticed the replies today. Somehow I didn't get emails to notify me that anyone responded.

Joe had the solution. When I booted the Mic2496 first and then booted the iHP-120 shortly thereafter, the recording was finally in the proper pitch. As Joe said, this must have allowed the signal from the Mic2496's optical out to stablilize.

Thanks Joe!   

[bugg100]

Glad to be of service......  What are you mostly taping once you get your gear dialed in?

Joe

[fmaderjr]

Actually, I do most of my recording with a Sony MZ-RH1 HiMD and a tiny Church Audio battery box. Great  for stealthing-you can get it in anywhere and the sound is excellent.

I do stuff ranging from Iggy & the Stooges and other rock greats from the past to the occasional bluegrass band (we don't get them too often in Philadelphia). I think my favorite recording was Arthur Lee & Love from 10/19/03, which I did with my old DAT. I got tired of expensive repairs on the DAT every few years, so I pretty much retired it.

I wanted the Mic2496 to play around with when I'm doing non stealth stuff, like recording a friend's cover band  and another friend who is both a fabulous organist & baritone. Recording classical is really tough, though. During the quiet passages you hear every noise and squeaky chair in the venue.