Reel output signal too strong for my computer.

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Wally Swift

Super Member
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I hooked my receiver up to my computer this morning. I'm running an RCA cable from the tape out to the tower's audio in and using a Roxio program to transfer mostly vinyl to digital files. I get good recording levels from the phonograph as I did previously on my old stereo system. But, like in the past the signal from the reel to reel pushes the recording levels into the red while on 0 so I can only get distorted files. In the past the way I got around this was by connecting the reel to a cassette deck and outputting from the cassette deck to the receiver. I would put the cassette deck on play/record/pause to monitor the signal from the reel then lower the volume with the recording level knobs on the cassette deck. This would give me acceptable levels on my computer. The problem is that there was always a hum on my recordings that is annoying during quiet passages.

What can I do to get better recordings from my reel tapes onto my computer?
 
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Wally,

It sounds like you are running line-level outs into mic-level ins on the PC, and that is not a good idea. The line output will overwhelm the mic-level input very easily and even if you get it somewhat under control, it is still not the right way.
The term for this is "gain-staging": having every component in a chain run/be fed at a comfortable level in its optimum operating (sound level) range.

Does your PC have USB ports? Here is an example of an interface that could make it easier for you:

http://www.altoedge.com/usbaudio/input.html

Look around for more variations of these; this is just one to give you an idea.

If I have misunderstood your setup, please elaborate.

Best,
C.
 
Cosmic is right, if you are using a microphone input on your computer, that is not the correct way to do it. "Correct" aside, what you need to determine is if you are overdriving a circuit, or if you are just getting digital clipping. The latter can be dealt with by simply turning down the input volume on your computer. If you're using Roxio, I'm guessing you're on a windows machine? Find your windows sound volume settings, and you should see a "line in" and/or "mic" slider. Lower it.
 
I'm using an "audio input" on the computer, it's not a microphone input. Like I said the signal from the phono is fine, it's only when the signal is coming from the reel. What I'm getting is digital clipping when I do this. Let me look and see about a line in volume setting and see if I can lower it.
 
Ok, I found the adjustment for the line in volume setting and it doesn't appear to work. The slider was all the way at the bottom and no matter what position I move it to it has no effect on my problem. In fact everytime I went back to try again it automatically reset itself back to the lowest position on the slider. I'm definitely using a line in because on the Roxio program it gives me the choise of "line in" or "mic in" and "line in" is where I get the sound from my stereo.
 
Sounds like Roxio is actually just controlling the line-in setting in the first place, rather than applying another layer of volume control (that's why it pops back to where it was). This is odd. I've never noticed a situation where having line-in all the way down doesn't result in zero input... Got pre-out on your receiver?
 
dumptruck said:
Got pre-out on your receiver?
Click to expand...

On the back of the receiver I see "Pre Output" above "Main Input". It looks like two sets of RCA inputs with some sort of thing connecting the right of each and the left of each. Like a piece of metal stuck in the holes.
 
Wally Swift said:
On the back of the receiver I see "Pre Output" above "Main Input". It looks like two sets of RCA inputs with some sort of thing connecting the right of each and the left of each. Like a piece of metal stuck in the holes.
Click to expand...
Okay, you can fix your problem with those. You'll end up with a slightly higher noise floor, but I think it will be fine. Anyway, the pieces of metal are jumpers connecting the preamp section of your receiver to the amp section. If you remove them, you can send the output of your receiver's preamp (and controls) to the computer from the "pre output jacks". Turn off the receiver before you mess with these.

This way, you will be able to use the volume knob on the receiver to drop the input level going to the computer. Any and all tone controls, filters, etc. on your receiver will also affect the outgoing signal now, so watch your controls.

Now, there is a slight problem in that you won't be able to hear anything you are recording. You can monitor through the computer (if Roxio doesn't give you a setting for that, un-mute and adjust the line-in playback volume in Windows).

Alternatively, you can attach an RCA y-splitter to each "pre output" jack, and run one cable from the splitter to the computer, and one from the splitter to the "main input". Your receiver will now function as normal, but the level going into the computer will be directly tied to the the level at the speakers, and the optimal level may be too loud.
 
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Most cards have a recording gain control. You should be able to use that to drop a line-level to something that doesn't clip.
 
dumptruck said:
Okay, you can fix your problem with those. You'll end up with a slightly higher noise floor, but I think it will be fine. Anyway, the pieces of metal are jumpers connecting the preamp section of your receiver to the amp section. If you remove them, you can send the output of your receiver's preamp (and controls) to the computer from the "pre output jacks". Turn off the receiver before you mess with these.

This way, you will be able to use the volume knob on the receiver to drop the input level going to the computer. Any and all tone controls, filters, etc. on your receiver will also affect the outgoing signal now, so watch your controls.

Now, there is a slight problem in that you won't be able to hear anything you are recording. You can monitor through the computer (if Roxio doesn't give you a setting for that, un-mute and adjust the line-in playback volume in Windows).

Alternatively, you can attach an RCA y-splitter to each "pre output" jack, and run one cable from the splitter to the computer, and one from the splitter to the "main input". Your receiver will now function as normal, but the level going into the computer will be directly tied to the the level at the speakers, and the optimal level may be too loud.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this information. Since I last posted I tried connecting the reel to reel directly to the cassette deck and then outputting from the cassette deck to the computer. I remembered that my reel has built in speakers so I can hear what I'm recording that way. As I mentioned before I put the cassette deck on play/record/pause so the signal passes through and then I lower the volume by adjusting the record level knobs on the cassette deck. The 30 or so tapes that I'm going to be transferring are spoken word of so-so quality [sermons recorded in the 60's] so I think I'll just do it this way for now. In fact the music sample that I recorded didn't seem to have the hum I mentioned either. Hard to tell on the computer speakers though.

Lastly, if in the future I decide to try what you suggested how do I remove the jumpers? I can just pull them out?
 
Yep, just pull them out, unless you see a set screw on top or bottom of the jacks. You may have to pull pretty hard.
 
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