This Distortion Is Driving Me To Drink!

P

Phil Maker

Well-known member
Ok, here's the deal, I just bought a Sound Devices Mixpre yesterday. I tested it with my HVX and it works beautifully, crystal clear sound, no problem there, but then I tested it with my Marantz PMD660 digital audio recorder, and got nothing but problems.

I tried every configuration know to man and nothing fixed the problems.
Here's what's happening.

I'm going from my mic thru XLR to the mic input on the Mixpre, then out thru XLR to the XLR input on the Marantz.

1) If I have the Marantz set to "mic" it's way too hot and I'm getting horrible distortion.

2) If I have the Marantz set to "line" it doesn't work at all.

What am I doing wrong?
 
Oh, wait, I see the XLR inputs on the Marantz are "mic" and there's two little ports next to it labled "line". Egad! I must need an XLR female on one end and a male to go line in on the other. Does anyone know the proper name for the male end? It's like a head phone jack male end.
 
I believe the Mic in on Marantz is just that... Mic only..... this is why you have distortion.
XLR output on MixPRe is Hot professional +4 line level. If you want to go this way you need to reduce the output of mix pre about 40-50dB with XLR inline Pads...attenuators.

Line input on Marantz is 2 channel on the 1/8 inch mini pin. Probably you will still need to pad down the output and use adapters to get the XLRs to TRS mini. Also 15-20dB pad on this too.


I don't like mini pin. You will need pads anyway. Just get the line level to mic level XLR pads. More reliable.

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/Accessories/us_pro_A15LA_content
 
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Thanks BRH. XLR line pads? Is that hardware? Any other suggestions on settings on the Mixpre? This is my first time using any kind of a mixer. Thanks again.
 
The MixPre also has -10 line level out on 1/8" mini plug. A lot easier (and less bulky) than trying to pad down the XLR +4 out.
That's how I go into the 671 which has RCA line in's that are at -10. I don't like the mini plugs either but it's all in the bag and I haven't had any problems so far with a lot of heavy field recording.
 
Noiz2 said:
The MixPre also has -10 line level out on 1/8" mini plug. A lot easier (and less bulky) than trying to pad down the XLR +4 out.
That's how I go into the 671 which has RCA line in's that are at -10. I don't like the mini plugs either but it's all in the bag and I haven't had any problems so far with a lot of heavy field recording.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is your best bet. Just to clarify, the -10dB line out on the MixPre is labeled "Tape Out".
 
Phil Maker said:
Ok, here's the deal, I just bought a Sound Devices Mixpre yesterday. I tested it with my HVX and it works beautifully, crystal clear sound, no problem there, but then I tested it with my Marantz PMD660 digital audio recorder, and got nothing but problems.

I tried every configuration know to man and nothing fixed the problems.
Here's what's happening.

I'm going from my mic thru XLR to the mic input on the Mixpre, then out thru XLR to the XLR input on the Marantz.

1) If I have the Marantz set to "mic" it's way too hot and I'm getting horrible distortion.

2) If I have the Marantz set to "line" it doesn't work at all.

What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...

The MixPre has a TRS minijack marked "Tape Out" next to the mic inputs that is a -10dBv consumer line level unbalanced stereo output. Someone said the Marantz has a minijack stereo line input - try a simple TRS/TRS stereo patch cable to connect the two through those ports. Everything should match up without buying adapters, pads, etc.

Ooops - just saw Noiz and Ullanta's posts - sorry to duplicate :)
 
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Phil Maker said:
The problem with the "tape out" on the Mixpre is that there is only one. I need 2.
Click to expand...

It's a stereo out TRS. Though if you need two 1/8" mono plugs into the Marantz (I would be VERY surprised if that were the case) then it might be hard to find that cable.
 
Actually I'm very confused by your post. I just looked up the spec and the 660 uses a TRS 1/8" line in so what are you plugging the two cables into? It's sounding a little like your sending one channel to the line in and the other to the line out. Since the XLR out from the MixPre is balance you would be recording one channel of the MixPre with one track being 180 degrees out of phase with the other. And trying to stuff a signal in the out door, so to speak.

THe 660 uses only one 1/8" jack for input.
 
You're right! It does only have 1 line in. So I guess I can't go in with 1 mic and out to 2 channels, can I? See, I want to be able to record to 2 channels so I can record at 2 different levels to avoid clipping. Do I even need to do this? I know the Mixpre has a 2 stage limiter.
 
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I don't like the mini because I think it unreliable....... but it is the correct level for the Marantz.... and it is stereo.
 
Phil Maker said:
You're right! It does only have 1 line in. So I guess I can't go in with 1 mic and out to 2 channels, can I? See, I want to be able to record to 2 channels so I can record at 2 different levels to avoid clipping. Do I even need to do this? I know the Mixpre has a 2 stage limiter.
Click to expand...

Sure you can. The mixpre can pan each of its inputs left, right, or centre. Connect the mic to input 1 and pan it centre. Leave input 2 off. You'll have the mic signal appearing on both the left and right channel outputs from the mixpre so into both channels on the Marantz. Set levels on the Marantz as you wish
 
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