Line-in signal low

[UNiek]

Has anyone also had the problem that when you connect a synthesizer to your computer's line-in the signal on the line-in seems to be very low. You have to set the volume of the line-in to the maximum to hear something. Does this problem has anything to do with the output signal of the synth being to low? Or do I have a bad line-in?

I am using a Soundblaster Live 5.1 with a Roland JX-305 synthesizer

Does anyone has an idea to boost the signal on the line-in?

[TexRoadkill]

This is common. A mixer or instrument preamp is often used to boost the signal.

[Spike Vincent]

Or use a DI box.

[Ethan Winer]

U,

> You have to set the volume of the line-in to the maximum to hear something. <

Always set the sound card's Line Input volume to maximum, and then control the actual recording level using whatever is driving the Line Input. If you have the volume less than full and increase the level externally, you risk getting distortion.

--Ethan

[TexRoadkill]

Ethan I would have to disagree on that one.

I find the best signal to noise ratio is achieved with the highest output gain going into the next device and having the input gain as low as it can take. Especially going into cheap gear.

Obviously if it distorts you need to bring down the output level of the sending device.

[Giganova]

feeding the signal through a mic/line pre-amp and maybe a compressor/limiter will defininetly solve your problem.

[TexRoadkill]

Giga- A compressor will reduce the overall gain of the signal. Only use a compressor/limiter when you have gain to spare.

[UNiek]

thanks for the replies! I'll go look for a pre-amp device

[Giganova]

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
Giga- A compressor will reduce the overall gain of the signal. Only use a compressor/limiter when you have gain to spare.

that's true, Tex -- just thought if the dynamics of the signal is too large after the pre-amp, a compressor might help keeping it within a certain range. :-)

[Ethan Winer]

Tex,

> I find the best signal to noise ratio is achieved with the highest output gain going into the next device and having the input gain as low as it can take. <

For hardware devices like mixers and other outboard gear I would agree with that completely. But with a SoundBlaster - and many other sound cards - the only way to record at full level is when the line input volume is at maximum. The SB's volume control is after its input stage, so increasing the level in the gear feeding the sound card will overload the input. At that point, reducing the SB's volume control can't avoid the distortion. I had the same problem with a CardD+ sound card too.

Maybe other, more modern sound cards can handle higher input levels, and have their volume control structured to handle that better. But not the SB Live.

--Ethan

[TexRoadkill]

Thanks for the clarification Ethan. I didn't know that about SB cards.

Now that I think about it I guess that really applies to all A/D convertors without an analog preamp stage.

[Stevebol]

Would that apply to the Line 2/Mic 2 volume too?That's the input I use on my Live Platinum.

[James Argo]

Yes... but NEVER record anything through your SB's mic input. I'ts a bad idea unless you record something not important... You'll achieve a lot much better using outboard mic preamp, and feed 'em through the line input of your SB.

[Stevebol]

I turned up the Line 2/Mic 2 level on the Windows mixer and the Creative Sound mixer.Better results.I'm running my mic thru a Blue Tube pre-amp into the Live Drive.I suppose bringing up the volume on the pre-amp last makes the most sense.I'm still not sure about the Live Drive volume and the record level on the Creative Sound mixer.