Line level too low!! help please

[Injun]

Hi guys, just found out about this site - lot of very good information in here and has really helped a lot.

I have a couple of problems I'd like to getr some help on

1. When i hook up my keyboard to my mixer's stereo line in input - for some reason the sound is not loud enough - I'm using a new 8 channel yamaha that has line in input on two channel, i use one for electronic drum and the other for the keyboard and both of these levels i have to turn it all trhe up to hear decent sound - is this a faulty keyboard, mixer or do i need a line in peramp.

2. Would running a midi out - out of one synth into a midi in on an another and then run the other synth thru the mixer - would this work good - cos one of my syth/keyboard seems to have a hiss and i cant get rid of it - so i want to try this

Any help would be appreciated


Thank u all very much in advance

 

[Phyl]

Just a thought, check to see if your keyboard allows you to turn the output level up or down. Sometimes it will be an physical knob on the keyboard, sometimes you have to hunt through the software menus to find the level control.

 

[Rolando]

In reply to part 2 of the question:

That should work fine if what you want to do is control the sounds on the second keyboard with the first keyboard. None of the sounds on the first keyboard will be played - all you are doing is using the first keyboard as a MIDI controller. You are just triggering the sounds on the second keyboard with the first one's keys and other controls.

If the output of one of the keyboards hisses, try hooking the out up to several different speakers and cables, to see if either are defective. If they are not the problem get it serviced. Also, if it is an older keyboard, it may just be noisy naturally - they don't make keyboards the way they used to and in some ways thats a good thing.

 

[jake-owa]

There is no MIDI controller trick for reducing the noise of any keyboard besides the vol setting. But this will turn everything down, not just the noise.

You shouldn't have to use the mixers preamp to get signal from a line level device like keyboards. Something is wrong, check the wires.

 

[Shailat]

You shouldn't have to use the mixers preamp to get signal from a line level device like keyboards. Something is wrong, check the wires.

Thats a mistake. Your keyboard can be working fine yet still need the mixers pre's.

When the output of your keys is weak you'll need a DI to connect to the mixers mic pre or simply a pre to get a stronger level to the line input. If you try and use (mostly on old synths) the line input with out sufficiant output, you'll have to boost the level so much and your basicly add noise from the mixer.

 

[Injun]

Thanks for the reply, i tried a preamp and it worked, although getting the hiss out of my keyboard has not been resolved - the mid trick didnt work -
Do u8 guys think if it might be cos of noise in the power - in other words would a line conditioner or noise filter help - I hate to have to buy another keyboard - btw, its a yamaha PSR 730 and is 5 years old.

Thanks again guys