[linux-audio-user] [OT] recording levels (mismatch)

[Andres Cabrera]

Hi Erik,
Usually audio equipment is setup to output/receive at two possible 
levels -10dBu or +4dBV, Semi-pro equipment and home equipment usually 
work at -10, which comes up as very low when the receiver is setup for 
+4. But I would guess the soundblaster card is setup to work at -10 as 
well (I'd be surprised if it isn't).
Maybe there's some software fader somewhere else in the chain?
Maybe you need to turn the volume of the amp/tuner all the way up?

You shouldn't need a preamp, because the amp/tuner thingy should do that 
job.
Connecting to the speaker output wouldn't be good since speakers expect 
a very high signal, so I would think it wouldn't work...

Andres

Erik Steffl wrote:
>   I am trying to record from a receiver (not sure if that's the right 
> name, it's the amp/tuner, the thingy that all other components like CD 
> player, tape deck, video etc. connect to) and it seems like the levels 
> are too low (the soundcard is soundblaster live platinum, using alsa 
> drivers that come with kernel 2.6.5).
> 
>   the receiver has two stereo audio outputs - one is marked as tape deck 
> recording and the other one as VCR output but both seem to be about the 
> same (and there doesn't seem to be a way to change them). I connect them 
> to the RCA connectors on the front panel (live drive) but even if I set 
> the mixer to 100% (on line in) the levels are too low. On vu-meter the 
> levels only go to about 25-30% (max) while the 'normal' audio is 
> somewhere between 50-75%.
> 
>   I believe both the receiver and soundcard work OK (I can record from 
> receiver to tape deck, I can record to soundcard from other sources) so 
> I guess there's mismatch between the signal from receiver and what 
> soundcard expects. Is there anything I can do? do I need some pre-amp or 
> something? Seems crazy but does it make any sense to try to record from 
> speaker outputs? Is there any way to change what soundblaster expects on 
> input?
> 
>   TIA
> 
>     erik
> 
>