GeoW

That's a good idea. Should work if the menu setting doesn't. Thanks, appreciate it. G.

No, the Sharp can't detect a difference, and the PA IS mono. I just run from the effect loop, mono-to-stereo adapter to MD and have the MD record in mono. I was actually pretty amazed at the quality of recording I was able to get. 1. Y arrangement works fine. 2. I don't think the send is line level, which is why I use the mic input. This is way too hot with the Sony but I think I may be overlooking a setting. 3. Not a problem in this case. 4. The insert IS post fader. I'm aware of that take it into account. No ALC on the Sharp so if someone fools with the PA I make the compensaton on-the-fly. 5. Yeah, the halfway trick was my first thought but won't work in on this PA. In fact, Plugging into the send kills kills the main outs to speakers. This is why I use the Y...to send one leg to the MD and the other back into the PA return. Kind of a pain, but it works. I'll take your advice and see if I can dig into the menu for any settings that might affect the levels. I don't have the Sony in front of me but I seem to recall someting that allows you to set mic/line inputs within a range of high or low. Thanks for the suggestions. G.

Excuse me, and with all due respect, but this is just wrong. This isn't about the PA quality but being unable to get the Sony to respond properly with the signal. This PA is a SoundTech S60, probably the cheapest and most poorly designed PA available. Sells for $375 WITH 2X12 speaker cabs. Doesn't even have a line-out or phone jack. I had to patch a Y cable into the effect send/return jacks to get an output to the recorder. Nor will it work with a Fender Passport or on the direct out of an Ultrasound acoustic amp. ALL worked perfectly fine into the mic input of my 5 year old Sharp. Now, I'm perfectly willing to accept that I'M at fault by missing a simple setting on the NH900...in fact I assume I am...but to blame the PA or suggest the need for buying another component to make the NH900 work is hardly a reasonable solution given the fact that the Sharp works fine. Thanks for the reply, though.... G.

A friend has a Sony NH 900 she got for direct live recording from the line out of a PA. It works fine with a mic but going direct provides a signal that's too low with the line input and too hot with the mic. ALC hasn't really helped. You just can't get the input level high or low enough. With my old Sharp SR-60 I have no problem using the mic input from the PA direct (the line input is too low, which I still don't understand) and getting a good clean signal. Now I know with ALC off the recording levels will vary with the PA output setting but it should be easier to get an optimum level in the Sony Hi-Md. Any suggestions? I could add a preamp to the line-in but that's just silly. There must be a way to do this... Thanks. G.