Topic: So I got a pair of AT943 today BUT

[SpareRibs]

There is a problem. I got a SP battery box module with bass roll off but I get distortion in my recordings. When I play my guitar and hit a chord at a higher volume, the distortion hits even when I set the recording levels down!

Is there a stealth sized battery box anyone can recommend for Omni AT943s that will prevent distortion?

How do you set up your stealth Omni AT943s and get no distortion?

[fuzn]

Just some standard questions...
What are you recording on to? Are you plugging it into the Line-In and NOT the Mic-In?

There is no way you should be distorting with that setup.

[SpareRibs]

I am recording to Hi MD in the mic jack. I tried the line in too to see a difference but the recording level was too low. Maybe I got the wrong battery module?

[fuzn]

I am recording to Hi MD in the mic jack. I tried the line in but the recording level was too low. Maybe I got the wrong battery module?

I'm not up to date with MD players, but... you will probably want that line-in. Boost the gain on the MD as much as you can until you get the levels dialed in. Mic-In can hardly handle anything as it has little headroom, so i'm not surprised it distorts. If you still can't get the levels up enough to your liking, a pre-amp might be a good idea. Anyone with experience feel free to chime in.

[SpareRibs]

OK here's a little update:

I plugged into the mic jack. When I DON'T set the levels manually and just select on the auto level, I don't get the distortion in general. A littlle bit here and there and the recording level turns out to be  high. I'm afraid that if I tape a very LOUD show, it may distort.

[setboy]

you can not tape a show with the mic in. use the line in

[SpareRibs]

Thanks.

My previous mic was the AT822 which is battery powered and I always plugged into the mic jack with good results but I only taped myself playing guitar and singing not actual concerts.

The line in jack works, the recording level is lower than I'm used to but maybe it's just that I have weak earphones that Sony provided.

I hope to use this rig for some jazz shows coming up and maybe a Phil Lesh show too.

[poorlyconditioned]

you can not tape a show with the mic in. use the line in

The old MD units overloaded easily, but with the new HiMD recorders mic-in will probably work.

Hit pause-record.
Enter menu, choose Rec-set, mic sens, LO SENS (this setting holds for all future use)
Enter menu, choose Rec-set, Level, MANUAL (you have to do this each time you record, enter pause-record mode)

Watch the levels, you can adjust them during recording too.

By the way, the Mic input is OK, but not great.  If you've got the volume (or a good external preamp) definitely go line in.  But mic in is quite useable IMO.

  Richard

[SpareRibs]

you can not tape a show with the mic in. use the line in

The old MD units overloaded easily, but with the new HiMD recorders mic-in will probably work.

Hit pause-record.
Enter menu, choose Rec-set, mic sens, LO SENS (this setting holds for all future use)
Enter menu, choose Rec-set, Level, MANUAL (you have to do this each time you record, enter pause-record mode)

Watch the levels, you can adjust them during recording too.

By the way, the Mic input is OK, but not great.  If you've got the volume (or a good external preamp) definitely go line in.  But mic in is quite useable IMO.

  Richard

Wow, thanks so much.  I always thought mic input was the best because I got a higher recording level using my single AA battery powered AT822 mic. But I guess you get better sound definition with Line In input right?

[SpareRibs]

By the way, the Mic input is OK, but not great.  If you've got the volume (or a good external preamp) definitely go line in.  But mic in is quite useable IMO.

  Richard
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So if I am taping a quiet chamber music ensemble and I'm far away, it's better to use the mic input but with low sensitivity I suppose.

[poorlyconditioned]

By the way, the Mic input is OK, but not great.  If you've got the volume (or a good external preamp) definitely go line in.  But mic in is quite useable IMO.

  Richard
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So if I am taping a quiet chamber music ensemble and I'm far away, it's better to use the mic input but with low sensitivity I suppose.

It is almost always better to use mic in, except for moderate to very loud shows, where you can experiment with line in.
Always run LOW SENS, and MANUAL levels.  Only use HI SENS for things like nature sounds, etc.

  Richard

[SpareRibs]

Thank you sooo much for this info! I mean I really appreciate you clearing things up for me! It's valuable info that I need. Thank You!