Topic: Microtrack Clip Indicators Constant On

[Diver4243]

So while i'm waiting for a response from m-audio tech support, what is an "attenuator" and can someone recommend one to work with the microtrack so that I can use it? i was going to record again thurs. maybe i'll use the stock mics and make sure the levels are set to the lowest, and put the lmh switch in the correct spot, then reboot so they are set and try it again. 

[jkoch]

So while i'm waiting for a response from m-audio tech support, what is an "attenuator" and can someone recommend one to work with the microtrack so that I can use it? i was going to record again thurs. maybe i'll use the stock mics and make sure the levels are set to the lowest, and put the lmh switch in the correct spot, then reboot so they are set and try it again. 

an  attenuator goes between your mics and the MT and cuts the signal by a set amount, say -20db. as for one to recommend, i have no idea

[Diver4243]

Ok so last night definitely went better with the microtrack. I went back to the same blues jam I had the disaster at two weeks ago. I used the stock mics that came with the microtrack, and stood back a little further. I made sure the LMH was on L when I booted and stood back a little further. This allowed me to boost the levels 2 or 3 clicks from the lowest setting to get to where only an occasional red blip would appear on the clip indicators.

So next I have to try it with the mics I got from microphone madness. I also got an attenuator cable. I really don't think that it was the mics so much as an awareness of the LMH and how to use it. Since the microtrack (shitty) doc always said to use M for microphones and L for line-in, I thought maybe the L and M stood for "Mic" and "line in". They never tell you to use anything else, except H in some other situation (spdif?). I took their word and never considered the common sense thing that they stand for Low, Med, High voltage output to the mics or whatever. If I'd have known this earlier, I probably would have been fine. great product again taken down by SHITTY doc. WTF.  I also didn't know that you need to reboot when changing the LMH, I was changing it two weeks ago and seeing no difference, that's probably why. I have the 1.1.5 firmware though, they didn't fix this with that release??

[potsy]

Since the microtrack (shitty) doc always said to use M for microphones and L for line-in, I thought maybe the L and M stood for "Mic" and "line in". They never tell you to use anything else, except H in some other situation (spdif?). I took their word and never considered the common sense thing that they stand for Low, Med, High voltage output to the mics or whatever. If I'd have known this earlier, I probably would have been fine. great product again taken down by SHITTY doc. WTF.  I also didn't know that you need to reboot when changing the LMH, I was changing it two weeks ago and seeing no difference, that's probably why.

dude my sentiments exactly.

[tightglobes]

It is a serious drag that this thing can't take a consumer line level signal.

You need attenuators...

i posted this in the "microtrack bug report" but it definitely fits here...

i sent in an email to m-audio support yesterday [october 19, 2005] about the levels being so hot & the lowest setting being marked at about a 15db gain.  here is the response i received today [october 20, 2005]:

Hello, right now we are working on a firmware update that will address this issue. If you like, there is a beta version firmware revision available on our website, but it will not address all the issues that the full version addresses.

The firmware update for the MicroTrack can be found here:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Take Care,

LE

Technical Support
M-AUDIO
A part of Avid
ph: 626-633-9055
fax: 626-633 9060
techsupt@m-audio.com
www.m-audio.com

so hopefully this will be fixed with the first non-beta firmware release.

[udovdh]

i posted this in the "microtrack bug report" but it definitely fits here...

i sent in an email to m-audio support yesterday [october 19, 2005] about the levels being so hot & the lowest setting being marked at about a 15db gain.  here is the response i received today [october 20, 2005]:

Hello, right now we are working on a firmware update that will address this issue. If you like, there is a beta version firmware revision available on our website, but it will not address all the issues that the full version addresses.

The firmware update for the MicroTrack can be found here:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Take Care,

LE

Technical Support
M-AUDIO
A part of Avid
ph: 626-633-9055
fax: 626-633 9060
techsupt@m-audio.com
www.m-audio.com

so hopefully this will be fixed with the first non-beta firmware release.

I hope I am reading this correctly but they imply the ever present 14 dB or so of gain is switchable? Good news!

[yousef]

Sorry to reply to such an old thread but I only got my Microtrack this week and I'm a bit surprised that it can't cope with the level put out by the line-out of my hi-fi.

If I read the previous postings correctly, this was something that M-Audio seemed to be saying they would attend to? I've done a couple of searches here and can't seem to find a more recent reference - I'm guessing that they didn't update that element of the firmware (and presumably can't/don't intend to)?

Weird piece of design there.

I would always have my attenuator box to hand when taping a gig but it's a bit annoying to have to plug it in when I want to record something off the radio...

Yousef

[dallman]

Sorry to reply to such an old thread but I only got my Microtrack this week and I'm a bit surprised that it can't cope with the level put out by the line-out of my hi-fi.

If I read the previous postings correctly, this was something that M-Audio seemed to be saying they would attend to? I've done a couple of searches here and can't seem to find a more recent reference - I'm guessing that they didn't update that element of the firmware (and presumably can't/don't intend to)?

Weird piece of design there.

I would always have my attenuator box to hand when taping a gig but it's a bit annoying to have to plug it in when I want to record something off the radio...

Yousef

What are your settings? Are you using 1/8 or 1/4 TRS. There is a big difference. Also if you use S/PDIF it makes a huge difference. Battery box? Phantom power on or off. What is the L/M/H switch set on ?

Most situations have been addressed and are easily handled. I have not had a line in problem In well over a year, and I usually use a battery box and 1/4 TRS jacks. I am not sure if the later firmwares helped, but to use anything less than the newest firmware will not let you get the most out of the deck.

For a lot of really helpful info check out Guysonics talk on the MT, it will showthe differences between the different input jacks and settings:
http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm

[yousef]

Ta for the reply.

I'm using the 1/4" inputs, the "L" setting, +27dB boost off, phantom power switched off, recording level set to minimum possible. My firmware was the most recent one available on Saturday night (1.4.5, I think).

I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem if I was running mics into the line-in - it just appears that even on the lowest gain settings, the MT can't handle a consumer level line signal. I'd have thought with the balanced inputs and (attempt at) phantom power, it'd be able to take a pro-level +4dB.

Unless I'm doing something really wrong somewhere along the way.

[dallman]

Ta for the reply.

I'm using the 1/4" inputs, the "L" setting, +27dB boost off, phantom power switched off, recording level set to minimum possible. My firmware was the most recent one available on Saturday night (1.4.5, I think).

I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem if I was running mics into the line-in - it just appears that even on the lowest gain settings, the MT can't handle a consumer level line signal. I'd have thought with the balanced inputs and (attempt at) phantom power, it'd be able to take a pro-level +4dB.

Unless I'm doing something really wrong somewhere along the way.

I sounds like you are set up correctly. I have not had any problems like that recently, even at some loud shows (Particle comes to mind). I have been using it more recently on acoustic type recordings and while I have never used the +27 db boost, I came close a few times. I actually recorded on "H" last night with the level up almost all the way, but again it was acoustic guitar(s), so that is very different.

I wonder if others can chime in on theie experiences, especially if using TRS jacks.

[yousef]

I wonder if others can chime in on theie experiences, especially if using TRS jacks.

Having done a bit more trawling of the archives, it seems that this has been brought up a couple of times and the MT just can't take an unattenuated domestic line level signal. If I've understood the postings I read, there seems to be 14dB of gain even when all the levels are set to minimum.

Good for running mics straight into the line-in though, I imagine. Earlier postings in this thread gave me the impression that this could be addressed through the firmware and that M-Audio were looking into it but as it hasn't yet been changed, I wonder if this is possible after all.

So... if you're recording directly from the desk, an in-line attenuator would be needed. I made a simple but very serviceable one from plans from a TS member (http://ca.geocities.com/dkleined@rogers.com/audio/PassiveAttenuatorBox.htm) but, given that the MT has balanced ins, I'd like to take advantage of them.

Has anyone made a balanced attenuator that I can copy or is there not much of an advantage to be gained by going down that route?