Topic: iRiver 120 basic recording settings

[Cheesecadet]

Hey All...just picked up a H120 and am curious what the basic recording settings that people are using with Rockbox?

I just want to get up and running initially before I start messing around to my own desired settings.

Any help is appreciated...

Thanks!

ryan

[Nick Graham]

Since you appear to be using a UA5, all you'll need is S/PDIF in, set the file split to "off", and that should be it. Levels and other settings will be set with the UA5.

[Cheesecadet]

So i don't have to worry about the AGC on the iriver unit or any of the other many options to get going right away?

[BayTaynt3d]

Not if ur goin' digi in...

[Church-Audio]

So i don't have to worry about the AGC on the iriver unit or any of the other many options to get going right away?

No you dont if your using an external A/D converter all of the preamp functions on the Iriver are bypassed.

[Cheesecadet]

Okay thanks for the response so far...

So what about settings when i'm coming out of the board...or when I'm using low profile mics > Battery Box > Line In???

[Nick Graham]

Okay thanks for the response so far...

So what about settings when i'm coming out of the board...or when I'm using low profile mics > Battery Box > Line In???

Switch to line in, don't bother with AGC (even going low profile you're better off setting levels manually - trust me), and that should be it. It really is just as fool proof as an M1, which by your sig I guess you're familiar with. The AGC on the iRiver is similar to the M1's, i.e. useless.

[Cheesecadet]

So the iriver unit doesn't default to AGC?  I was worried that I would have to go in and shut it off or something.

Also, just out of curiosity does anyone know the most current rockbox build for the H120?  I don't understand the current build page over at rockbox...it just shows a bunch of zeros on the current build page.  I just want to be sure that i have the most current.

Also, i have heard that you can now run 16/48...anyone have good results doing this with NO speed issues?  Just curious as I am used to archiving 16/48 w/ my DAT and dithering down to 44.  I plan on doing the same with the iriver as long is there are no issues.

Thaks in advance for any input!

Ryan

[Massive Dynamic]

I'm using a really old build (7-17-2006) of RockBox and have been successfully doing 16/48 DAT transfers. Go to this RockBox page, pick any one of the builds from the last month, and do some sample recordings at 48.  Petur has posted that the recent builds should be fine, but I haven't tried them out.

[petur]

The AGC on the iRiver is similar to the M1's, i.e. useless.

Well thank you... Personally I just love AGC Safety. What's wrong with a feature that prevents clipping when you're going stealth and you can't predict the levels. Shows here in Europe are barely regulated when it comes to spl, so having something turn down gain so that you don't end up with a distorted recording makes the difference between a taped show and a worthless gigabyte.

I'm using a really old build (7-17-2006) of RockBox and have been successfully doing 16/48 DAT transfers. Go to this RockBox page, pick any one of the builds from the last month, and do some sample recordings at 48.  Petur has posted that the recent builds should be fine, but I haven't tried them out.

Current builds are rock-stable again I have up to now done about 5 shows with them and everything is perfect

[cgrooves]

The FAQ thread that whatboutbob put together would be the place to start.  You can also record at sample rates higher than 48khz when running digi-in, BTW.  16/41 is only the limit going line-in.

On AGC:  While I agree that the m1's AGC is a useless feature for getting good live recordings, I'm not so sure this is the case with Rockbox.  I never use it because I run digi-in, but it seems to be much better suited for live recording (especially stealthing) than the m1's (i.e. Many different settings; Will only reduce the gain in small increments until clipping stops - even reducing the channels independently instead of across the board, etc.).

[BayTaynt3d]

The AGC on the iRiver is similar to the M1's, i.e. useless.

Nick, that's not actually true. Do you use an iRiver?

Thing is, when someone says AGC around these parts it gets hammered, and rightfully so, but when it comes to the H120/Rockbox there are a bunch of different AGC modes, one of which works differently than most other AGCs in the units we all use. It's called "safety", and the only thing it will ever do is lower levels upon clipping, it NEVER raises levels ever. It's not perfect, but if you set your levels correctly to begin with, the AGC will NEVER do anything or affect anything, it's like it's not even on. However, if you clip, it'll notch the gain down and then LEAVE IT THERE, never to raise again. So, I actually use it on occasion when stealthing. My one beef with it is that the gain lowering isn't link across channels, and I wish it was, but nonetheless if you really blow it on initial level setting, as long as you are using some gain on the iRiver (e.g., not all from a preamp), AGC Safety can SAVE YOUR ASS. Anyway, not sure if you realized that?

[Massive Dynamic]

I'll pass on what I've seen posted elsewhere. The AGC safety clip can save a recording when levels get too loud. However, if audience applause is louder than the music levels, like at an acoustic concert, or if you get a loud clapper or screamer right next to you, it may be best to turn the AGC saftey clip off so that optimal levels for the music aren't reduced.

[whatboutbob]

I'll pass on what I've seen posted elsewhere. The AGC safety clip can save a recording when levels get too loud. However, if audience applause is louder than the music levels, like at an acoustic concert, or if you get a loud clapper or screamer right next to you, it may be best to turn the AGC saftey clip off so that optimal levels for the music aren't reduced.

Seconded...but in this case it is moot, as he's running digi-in.

[petur]

I'll pass on what I've seen posted elsewhere. The AGC safety clip can save a recording when levels get too loud. However, if audience applause is louder than the music levels, like at an acoustic concert, or if you get a loud clapper or screamer right next to you, it may be best to turn the AGC saftey clip off so that optimal levels for the music aren't reduced.

Setting AGC clip time to a slow value will make it respond less quickly to incidental peaks (clappers,...) but of course a longer time of distortion when music indeed gets louder than anticipated. It's a tradeoff that will exist until we implement AI to analyze the recorded sound to interpret it