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Audio Recorder Clipping When Plugged Into Soundboard
Hi there, I’m having an issue that I’m trying to figure out. There are times when I need to plug in my recorder to a soundboard, such as one a DJ or band have. At times, I get a signal that is so loud that it clips, even if I turn the recorder levels down to zero. Is there anything I can do? Asking the DJ or band to turn down thier levels is usually not possible. I’m using a Zoom H2n. Any help would be most appreciated.
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49 Replies
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Sounds like you are feeding ‘line level’ into a ‘mic level’ input and overloading the preamps, the only way to solve your problem is to use external pads to lower the level.
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What do you mean by external pads?
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Its a group of small resistors that will lower the level from the line level down to microphone level. It doesn’t require any powering and can often be built into the connectors.
https://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/
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So if I was to start from scratch, what’s the best way to record a clean signal from a soundboard?
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Any recorder that doesn’t have a connection that will accept ‘line level’ WILL distort…..
Lets work through this, you are using a H2n and is the input 3.5mm socket (mic level) and the DJ mixer has (what sort of connector) out? RCA or XLR?
If we know that we might actually find a cable on the web to purchase off the shelf. -
Thanks for your help. Yes, using an H2n with the 3.5mm socket. The mixers are always different (weddings, etc), so sometimes xlr, sometimes RCA. So I’ve been using an xlr or rca to 3.5mm cable, depending on what plug they have available. Sometimes it’s alright and other times it’s blown out.
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Just looked at the specs of the H2n it can cope with 0db to -39db…. RCA is normally -10db (so RCA output mixers should be ok) ……BUT XLR mixers are normally +4db output so about 14db hotter than RCA level. So even with an adaptor plug the signal is still to high and that needs to be lowered by at least 15-20db and thats the attenuation pad you will need…. 15-20db
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That’s odd, because the last time it was and rca output and I had to turn the recorder level to 0 and still got distortion. However, it was a brass band, so pretty loud. I’d like to keep it as simple as possible, so do you know of any recorders that could handle this? I’m willing to buy a better/more expensive recorder.
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I don’t know where you are but here is a start..
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Level matching is just part of audio, even if you used a different recorder you will probably need pads or adaptors to suit, an external mixer like the Sound Devices 302 or similar may be useful…. but its more gear to carry and use.
For just a few $$$ you can normally get most recorders, recording from most mixers.
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