Soundcard line in level?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SouthSIDE Glen
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SouthSIDE Glen

SouthSIDE Glen

independentrecording.net
Looking for confirmation on a very basic specification...

On a standard PC soudcard such as a Soundblaster and the like, at what level is the Line In jack set to operate?

I have always pretty much assumed that they are designed for standard -10dBV "consumer" line level, but I have been unable to find any actual specifications anywhere. The actual specifications for these things are woefully inadequate, saying only "Line In" with no actual voltage spec.

I'm including such info in some new on-line documention at the IRN website, and I'd just like to dot my Ts and cross my Is and make sure before I publish that they do indeed mean -10dBV and not some weird funk voltage.

So if anybody can independantly confirm or point to independanlylt confirming documentation that IDs the actual "line in" spec on these beasts, I'd appreciate it :).

G.
 
Ive done alot of converting tapes and vinyl to mp3s and I have always kept my line in level at 80%. Works well for me that way.
 
BushmasterM4 said:
Ive done alot of converting tapes and vinyl to mp3s and I have always kept my line in level at 80%. Works well for me that way.
Click to expand...

80% of what?
 
BushmasterM4 said:
Ive done alot of converting tapes and vinyl to mp3s and I have always kept my line in level at 80%. Works well for me that way.
Click to expand...
That's great, but it still doesn't get me any closer to an answer to the question, unfortunately.

I'm not looking to successfully record decent levels with a soundcard, that's a piece of cake. I'm writing tutorial software and I need to get specific facts correct before I publish. I just need to verify that the line in on your garden variety PC soundcard is indeed spec'd at -10dBV RMS. I just need to verify the fact itself, that's all.

If I had to bet on it, I'd bet it is indeed -10dBV - anything else would make no sense to me. I just would like actual confirmation that is an accurate number. There is enough inaccurate info floating around the Internet already; I don't want to add to that pile if I can help it.

G.
 
Then I would think you could get spec sheets at Creative Labs on their sound cards, as well as other manufacturers
 
Found this site on my first google try. Does that help.

http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/sbmicamp.html


The following was pasted from the link above

Information about computer soundcard microphone inputs
Soundblaster soundcard series (SB16, SB32, AWE32 and AWE64) have all a microphone input designed to be used with the electret microphones which come with the soundcard package (some packages) or with separate microphone designed to be used with SoundBlaster soundcards (there are separate microphones and some monitors have built-in microphones like this).


Typical characteristics of Sound Blaster microphone input:
Input Type: Unbalanced Low Impedance
Input Sensitivity: Approx. -20dBV (100mV or 0.1Volt)
Input Impedance: 600 to 1500. (Ohms)
Input Connector: 3.5mm Miniplug (Stereo Jack)
Input Wiring: Audio on Tip, Ground on Sleeve, 5Volts DC Bias on Ring

Because the microphone input needs very high input levels it is not suitable to be used with any other micophone type than elecret capsule microphones. If you connect a dynamic microphone (which gives typically few mV voltage) and try to record it you will get very low signal level with lots of noise.
 
BushmasterM4 said:
Found this site on my first google try. Does that help.

http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/sbmicamp.html


The following was pasted from the link above

Information about computer soundcard microphone inputs
Soundblaster soundcard series (SB16, SB32, AWE32 and AWE64) have all a microphone input designed to be used with the electret microphones which come with the soundcard package (some packages) or with separate microphone designed to be used with SoundBlaster soundcards (there are separate microphones and some monitors have built-in microphones like this).


Typical characteristics of Sound Blaster microphone input:
Input Type: Unbalanced Low Impedance
Input Sensitivity: Approx. -20dBV (100mV or 0.1Volt)
Input Impedance: 600 to 1500. (Ohms)
Input Connector: 3.5mm Miniplug (Stereo Jack)
Input Wiring: Audio on Tip, Ground on Sleeve, 5Volts DC Bias on Ring

Because the microphone input needs very high input levels it is not suitable to be used with any other micophone type than elecret capsule microphones. If you connect a dynamic microphone (which gives typically few mV voltage) and try to record it you will get very low signal level with lots of noise.
Click to expand...
That's the mic input, not the line input.

I would email the company, Glen. My guess would be -10 assuming that it even adhears to a standard.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
Looking for confirmation on a very basic specification...

On a standard PC soudcard such as a Soundblaster and the like, at what level is the Line In jack set to operate?

I have always pretty much assumed that they are designed for standard -10dBV "consumer" line level, but I have been unable to find any actual specifications anywhere. The actual specifications for these things are woefully inadequate, saying only "Line In" with no actual voltage spec.

I'm including such info in some new on-line documention at the IRN website, and I'd just like to dot my Ts and cross my Is and make sure before I publish that they do indeed mean -10dBV and not some weird funk voltage.

So if anybody can independantly confirm or point to independanlylt confirming documentation that IDs the actual "line in" spec on these beasts, I'd appreciate it :).

G.
Click to expand...
Found this on the web.
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/soundcardtest/sb32.html


Using SB32 as audio recoder
Frequency response of the card input and output. The measurements are made so that the audio is recorded with the soundcard and played back. The chart shows the real signal levels measured from the card output (maximim level I got with the settings used during this test was around -9 dBV which is quite typical signal level used in home audio systems).
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
Looking for confirmation on a very basic specification...

On a standard PC soudcard such as a Soundblaster and the like, at what level is the Line In jack set to operate?

I have always pretty much assumed that they are designed for standard -10dBV "consumer" line level, but I have been unable to find any actual specifications anywhere. The actual specifications for these things are woefully inadequate, saying only "Line In" with no actual voltage spec.

I'm including such info in some new on-line documention at the IRN website, and I'd just like to dot my Ts and cross my Is and make sure before I publish that they do indeed mean -10dBV and not some weird funk voltage.

So if anybody can independantly confirm or point to independanlylt confirming documentation that IDs the actual "line in" spec on these beasts, I'd appreciate it :).

G.
Click to expand...

the line level of sound blaster cards do sit at -10dBV. That's what a friend/representative from creative told me a while back.
 
Farview said:
That's the mic input, not the line input.

I would email the company, Glen. My guess would be -10 assuming that it even adhears to a standard.
Click to expand...


Oops, sorry. Dont know why Mic Level stuck in my head. Brain damage :)
 
Thanks all for the replies! :) Much appreciated.

G.
 
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