Question about the DMP3

[jeff0633]

Hi guys. I like my DMP3, and it really does nice on acoustic instruments, but this thing seems to be too damn hot. When I hook my AT-3035 up to it, I turn it all the way down and it still drives the line inputs on my recorder into the red, and I am pretty far away from the mic with a quiet acoustic guitar. I know there is a pad button, and that seems to work fine, but am I losing some quality when I use it? Do I lose some of the quiet noise floor, or dynamic range or something? It seems I would since I engage the pad and then have to turn up, doesn't that mean that I am cranking the input higher, losing some noise floor and getting less quality than if I were not using the pad? I can't use that pad without thinking that I mat be sacrificing a little quality. I am hoping this is just wrong and you guys will explain why that I lose nothing at all by using the pad.

Thanks

Jeff

[sdelsolray]

You probably have some mismatch between the output of the preamp and the input of the recrder. A +4/-10 mismatch?

[thajeremy]

I have a similar problem. Im starting to think it is my soundcard. What kind of card do you have? I have to keep my soundcard levels all the way down and my pre's all the way down...mainly when recording drums though...not much of a problem elsewhere.

also, make sure that you dont have the hi/lo gain button engaged.

[tdukex]

Just read the manual, follow the directions, and you will get good sound. BTW, I don't think the high/low switch is a pad but rather and additional gain stage. If anything, it will probably add noise not decrease it, although the DMP3 is very quiet regardless of the gain.

[jeff0633]

Originally Posted by thajeremy

I have a similar problem. Im starting to think it is my soundcard. What kind of card do you have? I have to keep my soundcard levels all the way down and my pre's all the way down...mainly when recording drums though...not much of a problem elsewhere.

also, make sure that you dont have the hi/lo gain button engaged.

I am using a Zoom 1608 16 track recorder, and going into the RCA line inputs. There should be no mismatch. The DMP3 is supposed to send a line level, isn't it?

Jeff

[Paj]

Jeff0633:

There's the major part of your problem. RCA inputs are usually "consumer" level liputs (-10dB), and line outputs on the DMP3 are on the professional line level side (+4dB). Simply stated, without padding or proper level adjustment, the DMP3 WILL be too hot for those inputs.

God help you if your RCA's are actual phono inputs!

Paj
8^)

[Richard Monroe]

I'm pretty sure your recorder is looking for a -10dBV line signal. The DMP-3 is putting out a +4dBu signal. Here's one solution:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ng_Accessories

I use this when I feed my Korg PXR4 a stereo signal fom outboard pres. Just make sure yoiu use well shielded cables. The transformer is subject to radio frequency interference, and cheap or unshielded cables act as a real nice antenna.-Richie

[amra]

Here's what you need:
Samson - S-Convert +4 to -10 Level Converter

[Richard Monroe]

Yep, those 2 boxes are pretty much the same deal.-Richie

[JM350]

The 3035 is a pretty hot mic, in other words for the same input it is going to put out more signal than many othe mics, add to that the DMP3 which offers a lot of gain as well and the fact you are running professional +4 level into consumer -10 RCA inputs and you are probably going to have to set the gain knob on the micpre very low on all but the quietest of sources.

Something like the Samson S Convert will help a bit but realize that it is only going to lower the overall gain by about 11db. I would say save your money and simply set the DMP3 on the lower gain position, it's not going to degrade the signal doing this and you will be I think around 25db lower than the high gain setting.