Digital over

[Markr041]

I have recorded some classical music concerts with my Hi-MD 800. These have huge dynamic range. I have used manual recording only, high sensitivity with a sony stereo mic.

The Sony mic never overloads at these concerts, and in fact I cannot hear any evidence of digital overloading. Yet, a large proportion of the music peaks reach 0 db (e.g., reading in Total Recorder). It is hard to beleive that I got the level exactly correct so that tehre were no digital overs.

I suspect there is a limiter in the minidisc recorder, even in manual mode. When I used to use DAT machines, going over digitally resulted in obvious and horrid noise - none now. What is going on?

[bjsilva]

Hi Markr,

If you're *sure* you're using manual recording, you shoudn't worry. The problem with overloading a digital or analogue recording, as you know, is just the sound produced. If you're not hearing any strange noises then there's no problem. I don't know of any MD's that have a limiter.

It is hard to believe you would get the recording levels exactly right, especially on multiple recordings (unless of course you recorded them under similar circumstances). Just make sure you are recording with manual levels, since it resets everytime you stop recording.