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Hello
I have just purchased a indigo io to input my recordings from minidisk MZ N707.
I am using sound forge to record the signal which was recorded on long play on the MD.
I have the MD set to full volume and connected to the indigo line in.
The recording is far to low in its recording level.
My question is how to get a higher recording level.

Thanks
Neilpeel

Is the signal of what is being played back strong? Meaning is it a loud sound which utilises a lot of the dynamic of the recorder? If it is...

Someone else can clarify this as I'm not an expert on the topic, but perhaps this is an impedance mismatch?

Indigo Input Impedance = 10K(Omega) - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr04/articles/echoindigo.htm
MZ N707 Output - 16 Ohm Load Impedance - http://www.trademe.co.nz/nz/auction-37421117.htm

One question though, why aren't you doing a digital USB transfer? You are potentially losing (a fair amount) of quality by using the minidiscs DA's and Indigo's AD's. Considering ATRAC (minidisc file format) is already a compressed format, not doing a fully digital trasfer is just shooting yourself in foot. Maybe this is news to you Neil, good luck with sorting it either way.

Thanks buli

On the MZ 707 you can not transfere a signal recorded on the mini disk via USB. Only copy tracks from the PC.

The signal on the mini disk is a thunder storm recorded on long play, so I begining to think the quality of my recording is not that great. What a shame, I recorded the thunder storm when In Ubud Bali.
Is there an Impedance a problem between the MD and sound card?

Thanks again
Neilpeel

I'm not sure if there is an impedance problem Neil, it's something I'd like to verify for my own knowledge n that, I'll ask around.

Did you just plug a dynamic mic into the MD or use a mixer/preamp in the setup? With it being an ambient recording, a low signal is a definate possibility, then again though perhaps the thunder boosts things enough in places?

With an ideal recording you shouldn't need to so much, but you have boosted the input gain on the Indigo right?

By the way, be aware that using long play compresses the audio even more than usual, not something I'd recommend doing in future if you can avoid it. Use the normal or 'stereo' recording format. Use 'Mono' if not using a stereo mic to get more out of the disk.

The mic is a Radio Shack 33-3013 Omnidirectional SiOx Capacity 65mAh with battery.

I do not know how turn up the gain on my indigo io. I am using Sound Forge to record to my Dell D600. Can not find a gain control for recording?

Thanks for your help

Neilpeel

Well that's something (gain) you might wanna learn how to do. It's probably already set at unity gain and like I said, ideally that's where it wants to be, but still a good thing to know. You can most likely adjust input/output gain via the windows mixer (goto sounds & audio in control panel, check 'place volume icon in.....' then you should see in the system tray, bottom right of desktop). This will have various audio hardware control faders. The Indigo is PCMCIA right? And has a jog wheel? I think this also controls gain, perhaps potentially.

I can't find any referance to that mic. If you can afford it, you'd do well to get an audio ineterface with a preamp to give your laptop recording capability or a standalone mixer/preamp and a better quality (capacitor) mic in both cases. If and when you can, such problems should disappear and you'll find something else to bother you .

If you have a friend with a minidisc that can transfer via USB, try comparing results like that. Or if you plan to continue recording this way, get one yourself. They go for pocket change on Ebay.

Oh i made a post at SOS forums about the impedance issue, I don't think this is the problem:

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=383285&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1#Post383285

Btw you are using a stereo cable right? Might be worth seeing what another (stereo) cable does.

Thanks for all your help Bulj

I need some new hardware, but this will have to wait as I am in the middle of a restoration project at the mo.
I will try to upload some lightning strikes soon, but the quality is not going to be so great! but thats all I have for now.
Thanks again
Neil