mic attenuators

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Can anybody give me more information on how much attenuation to use on
mic inputs when recording direct to a DAT (tascam DAP 1) with phantom
power (and two omni mics?) I often get distortion on loud passages
(especially organ/piano) even though digital meters are well below 0db
(as low as -5db to -10db). attenuators or use of pads makes problem
better, but seems a rather haphazard solution. Maybe that's normal
though? Does using an attenuator simply match the output of the
microphone better to the mic input of the DAT? Do they degrade the
signal from the mic at all (in theory or in practice)

any comments very gratefully received.

Andrew
--
Andrew Post

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Andrew Post wrote:

> Can anybody give me more information on how much attenuation to use on
> mic inputs when recording direct to a DAT (tascam DAP 1) with phantom
> power (and two omni mics?) I often get distortion on loud passages
> (especially organ/piano) even though digital meters are well below 0db
> (as low as -5db to -10db). attenuators or use of pads makes problem
> better, but seems a rather haphazard solution. Maybe that's normal
> though? Does using an attenuator simply match the output of the
> microphone better to the mic input of the DAT? Do they degrade the
> signal from the mic at all (in theory or in practice)

Some mics just give more output than others. Best way is to experiment
until your issue is solved.

And no - an attenuator doesn't degrade the signal ( if properly designed
).

Can you guestimate how much 'over' the current signal is in dB ?

I'm guessing that you the DAP1's recording levl control turned way down.
Condenser mics are well known for high output ( you say you're using
phantom pwr I note ) and I suspect you're clipping the internal mic amps
*before* it gets to the rec level control.

Try your pads ( attenuators ) again. It's not haphazard at all - just a
case of a poorly designed mic amp !

Graham

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Andrew Post"

> Can anybody give me more information on how much attenuation to use on mic
> inputs when recording direct to a DAT (tascam DAP 1) with phantom power
> (and two omni mics?) I often get distortion on loud passages (especially
> organ/piano) even though digital meters are well below 0db (as low as -5db
> to -10db). attenuators or use of pads makes problem better, but seems a
> rather haphazard solution. Maybe that's normal though? Does using an
> attenuator simply match the output of the microphone better to the mic
> input of the DAT? Do they degrade the signal from the mic at all (in
> theory or in practice)


** Seems to be a common problem:


http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/upgradedap1.html




.............. Phil

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

the Shure mic pads consistently get recommended by people who know
things.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

On Sat, 4 Jun 2005 16:56:37 -0400, Andrew Post wrote
(in article <nFa9qPGFWhoCFwmz@vif-records.demon.co.uk> ):

> Can anybody give me more information on how much attenuation to use on
> mic inputs when recording direct to a DAT (tascam DAP 1) with phantom
> power (and two omni mics?) I often get distortion on loud passages
> (especially organ/piano) even though digital meters are well below 0db
> (as low as -5db to -10db). attenuators or use of pads makes problem
> better, but seems a rather haphazard solution. Maybe that's normal
> though? Does using an attenuator simply match the output of the
> microphone better to the mic input of the DAT? Do they degrade the
> signal from the mic at all (in theory or in practice)
>
> any comments very gratefully received.
>
> Andrew
>

There's a comment in the DA-P1 manual about gain setting. If you only need to
set your mic inputs to "3" of so for full scale because the source is so
loud, you will clip.

Engage the onboard pads and increase the input gain and you should be fine.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d.com> wrote in message
news:znr1117972761k@trad...
>
> In article <IHuoe.13046$uR4.4597@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net>
edbridgeNOSPAM@earthlink.net writes:
>
> > I ask this question over at rec.arts.movies.production .sound ,twice
this
> > week with no replies so maybe it's a dumb question but would Denecke
AD20
> > be a better "on location" front end ? I sort wonder if the preamps in
the
> > Denecke AD20 would sounded better?
>
> The preamps will sound better than your DA-P1, and more important, the
> A/D converter will sound better than the internal one in the DA-P1. If
> you're willing to put up with another lunp, it would be a worthwhile
> upgrade.


Thank you Bro. That's what I wanted to know.I don't minded a extra little
lump and spending a little lump if I can get a good sound without spending
ton more on a Sound Device 722 or something like that. I know DAP1 are out
dated but it still works and if all it needs is a better front end, why
not.


I hope this info is something the OP can use.
Peace,
Ed Bridge
Brooklyn N.Y.
http://www.bridgeclassicalguitars.com/
please reply to edbridge@earthlink.net

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Many thanks for all your suggestions; all of them helpful!

Andrew Post










In message <nFa9qPGFWhoCFwmz@vif-records.demon.co.uk>, Andrew Post
<andrew@vif-records.demon.co.uk> writes
>Can anybody give me more information on how much attenuation to use on
>mic inputs when recording direct to a DAT (tascam DAP 1) with phantom
>power (and two omni mics?) I often get distortion on loud passages
>(especially organ/piano) even though digital meters are well below 0db
>(as low as -5db to -10db). attenuators or use of pads makes problem
>better, but seems a rather haphazard solution. Maybe that's normal
>though? Does using an attenuator simply match the output of the
>microphone better to the mic input of the DAT? Do they degrade the
>signal from the mic at all (in theory or in practice)
>
>any comments very gratefully received.
>
>Andrew

--
Andrew Post