Ok, so the gain option quoted by the device isnt the gain quoted by the
conventional pre-amps. However, you are assuming a lot here. In essence,
you are assuming that just because you dont see "60 dB gain", the device
is not amplifying the signal to line-level when in-fact, even at x1
gain, the device is producing line-level and the extra 20 dB gain using
the x10 setting is beyond what is required for line-level inputs.
The gain does not tell you anything about the voltage at the output. The
pre-amp from RME quotes an output of 21 dBu max. This converts to
about 24 V p-p. The device I am using produces an output of 10 V p-p.
This is a difference of slightly above 6 dB.
If at the end, the gain was the root of the problem, I would surely see
the same kind of low level recording on other digital recorders (namely
a FOSTEX and a SONY line-level input recorders), and I dont.
Fernando Lopez-Lezcano wrote:
On Sat, 2006-05-13 at 06:00 +1000, D. Sen wrote:
Look at the specs. The output is definitely line-level. The function of
a pre-amp is to produce line-level output and this does it.
Not really. Please compare to the specs of a real mic preamp, please,
for example:
http://www.rme-audio.com/english/micpreamps/quadmic.htm
(which would be an appropriate companion to the multiface)
In particular: "Amplification can be set between 10 and 60 dB". 60dB of
gain expressed as a voltage ratio would be amplifying the signal by
1000. I would imagine you would need to use 40 to 60dB to amplify a mic
to line level so you are at least a factor of 10 below what would be
needed.
It is sold by B&K and they swear by it.
(they can swear all they want but that's not gonna make it amplify the
signal more :-)
The key here (as outlined before in the thread) is gain. This signal
conditioner's gain is too low (probably by a factor of at least 10) to
act as a mic preamp _unless_ your line input has additional gain you can
dial in (which is probably why you can use it with other equipment).
-- Fernando
Paul Winkler wrote:
On Sat, May 13, 2006 at 04:16:28AM +1000, D. Sen wrote:
This is what is being used between the microphone and the multiface:
http://www.bksv.com/pdf/4416B.pdf
This is providing line-level output to the multiface.
What you have there isn't really a microphone preamp. Max gain of 10
isn't very much at all, it's what, 20 dB?
Commercial mic preamps typically have at least 60 dB of gain available.
