current rig question re:sound problem

[nameloc01]

hey,i am running SP-BMC3 bis>SP-SPSB6 (bass roll off seems to be set pretty much correctly for each recording)>sony mzr3(mic in)

problem is:with some shows during music with some heavier guitar or distortion the signal(guitar) seems to be getting tweaked or cut.i have heard by running line in vs/ mic in this will improve the overall.true/not true??
and if i get a preamp to boost the signal(i really dont like manually setting levels during a show,and the auto seems to work real well) will it interfere with the SP batt. r/o box as far as sound quality?
i also just ordered a new sony mdr(mz-rh910 hi-md) so maybe this will improve things a bit

thanks,
-j

[ethan]

I'm betting it's the auto volume level selection...I have NEVER heard anyone recommend running AVLS no matter if the deck is a high end or low end deck...it just doesn't work that well...you'd be better off setting your levels manually.

-e

[nameloc01]

yeah it is weird..the weezer foo fighters show i did earlier this month has the problem and i recorded mahogany rush tues,which came out killer except for a few tunes that had some heavy guitar,but each other instrument sounded okay.as soon as the new md comes in, i guess i am going to have just mess around with it.i just thought i had heard line in produces a cleaner signal vs/ mic in.
thanks,
-j

[ethan]

yeah it is weird..the weezer foo fighters show i did earlier this month has the problem and i recorded mahogany rush tues,which came out killer except for a few tunes that had some heavy guitar,but each other instrument sounded okay.as soon as the new md comes in, i guess i am going to have just mess around with it.i just thought i had heard line in produces a cleaner signal vs/ mic in.
thanks,
-j

Well a a cleaner signal isn't going to do you much good if you let the AVLS munge your recording....turn it off and I'm betting you get better pulls.

-e