Keyboard into MR8: Line level input not working properly

[SKYflyer]

I am trying to record my Casio priva 400x (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--CASPX400) with my Fostex MR8 recorder (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--FOSMR8).

If you enlarge the picture of the mr8 on the website, you will see below the XLR input is a knob labeled trim, which i assume adjusts the amount of gain or whatever is used for adjusting how things are pre amplified and brought to line level. Since my keyboard output should already be line level, the manual for the mr8 told me that all devices that output line level, when hooked up to the mr8, should have the trim knob adjusted all the way to the left, so that the knob points to line. This seems to make sense of course, since my line level keyboard would not need any preamplification.

However, when i record with the trim knob all the way to the left at the position marked line, the piano recording is very soft. If on the other hand, i raise the trim knob, which i assume kind of preamplifies the piano signal twice, the recording is at a much better volume.

Why is this? Am i confused/doing something wrong? I would assume that i would get the best results doing as the manual said, and as makes sense to me. It seems weird that i would need to preamplify the piano signal twice (once inside the keyboard, and once in the mr8) in order to get a good signal.

 

[ch2os7]

It's ok

I am trying to record my Casio priva 400x (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--CASPX400) with my Fostex MR8 recorder (http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--FOSMR8).

If you enlarge the picture of the mr8 on the website, you will see below the XLR input is a knob labeled trim, which i assume adjusts the amount of gain or whatever is used for adjusting how things are pre amplified and brought to line level. Since my keyboard output should already be line level, the manual for the mr8 told me that all devices that output line level, when hooked up to the mr8, should have the trim knob adjusted all the way to the left, so that the knob points to line. This seems to make sense of course, since my line level keyboard would not need any preamplification.

However, when i record with the trim knob all the way to the left at the position marked line, the piano recording is very soft. If on the other hand, i raise the trim knob, which i assume kind of preamplifies the piano signal twice, the recording is at a much better volume.

Why is this? Am i confused/doing something wrong? I would assume that i would get the best results doing as the manual said, and as makes sense to me. It seems weird that i would need to preamplify the piano signal twice (once inside the keyboard, and once in the mr8) in order to get a good signal.

Don't worry. That setup on the MR8 confuses a lot of people. If you need to adjust the trim up to get a hot enough signal, do it. It won't hurt anything. Watch the "peak" indicator. If it glows, back the trim off a little to prevent clipping.
For most line sources you won't need to turn the trim up very far but you may need to turn it up some. On some mics you may need the trim turned up 3/4 of the way or more depending on how hot the mic itself is.
Good luck.

 

[travelin travis]

i think those inputs on the mr8 are instrument inputs, not line inputs. as long as everything sounds ok using the trim knobs, you should be fine. seems to me they cut cost by leaving out a set of dedicated line inputs.