dj_mocok Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 (edited) Hi, Total newbie in HiMD here. I only use discman before, but recently got the NH1 for recording lecture purpose.Got a few questions though, if you don't mind helping me..1. I only use the MD to record lectures, not music, therefore I set the recording mode in Hi-LP; is this good enough already for recording lectures, or should I set it to Hi-SP?2. The recording volume isn't loud enough, on the NH1, even if I turned the volume to max, the recording is still just barely audible. I guess there must be something wrong here, but I followed all the instructions already, but the volume is just so soft.How to fix this problem? According to manual, the AGC is very useful for recording speeches, but why the volume is still so low?So after I finished recording (the one with low volume), I managed to transfer it and converted it to wav files using SonicStage 3.1, but then again, the volume is still barely audible. I had to turn on my PC speakers volume to max in order to hear it properly.I tried to record my own speech (very close distance to mic) and it's still barely audible. I don't think it's faulty recording, since normal CD trasnfer with Simple burner will give me plenty of volume.Is the low volume is normal for MD live recordings? Or is there a way to solve this?I followed to guide (sticky) to recording, but still, the volume is so low...Can someone help me fixing this ? Thanks a lot in advance!PS: I am using SONY ECM-719 microphone for recording. Edited August 9, 2005 by dj_mocok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamer Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 1.Depends on your ears, but HiLP is probably good enough for voice recording.2. You can try setting the level manually and checking your recording level on the unit, and see if you can get better result. After that, you can also take the converted wav and increase the volume using some sound software (you can get Audacity for free for instance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motown_junky Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 It sounds to me like you have recorded through the line in rather than the mic input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I'd suggest to use the best quality you can afford, why make it worse than it needs to be right in the beginning? If you need to record 8-34 hours on one 1GB disc (2.5-10h for 80min/305MB discs), use Hi-LP - if you need 1.5-8 (0.5-2.5) hours, use Hi-SP - if up to 1.5 (0.5) hours are enough, use PCM. You can compress it after upload anytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_mocok Posted August 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 (edited) Maybe my ears can tell the difference, but since it's a lecture recording, so I don't really mind if the difference is minimal, as long as it's clear.For recording lectures, there won't be that much difference between Hi-SP and Hi-LP, no?The reason why I opted for Hi-LP due to the amount of space it may take in my PC too. Don't wanna spend so much space just for lecture notes.Anyway, the (temporary?) solution I got now is using Audacity, so as mentioned, I opened the recording using audacity, increase the gain, and then save it as a new wav file, then I can make the volume "normal"... However, does this process degrade the sound quality somehow?And I am positive it's recorded through mic in, and even if I can adjust the recording volume manually, but isn't the AGC supposed to be able to fix this automatically, by preventing the recording become inaudible (or too loud), or maybe I expect too much from AGC?PS: I also tried using Hi-SP, but it's still barely audible. Edited August 9, 2005 by dj_mocok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdisdle Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Have you tried using the Sony 719 in plug in Power mode? It may help.I also suspect the 719 has a sensitivity of –72db. Look for a more sensitive mic. around –68 to –54db should do, or get closer to the speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamer Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Maybe my ears can tell the difference, but since it's a lecture recording, so I don't really mind if the difference is minimal, as long as it's clear.For recording lectures, there won't be that much difference between Hi-SP and Hi-LP, no?The reason why I opted for Hi-LP due to the amount of space it may take in my PC too. Don't wanna spend so much space just for lecture notes.Anyway, the (temporary?) solution I got now is using Audacity, so as mentioned, I opened the recording using audacity, increase the gain, and then save it as a new wav file, then I can make the volume "normal"... However, does this process degrade the sound quality somehow?And I am positive it's recorded through mic in, and even if I can adjust the recording volume manually, but isn't the AGC supposed to be able to fix this automatically, by preventing the recording become inaudible (or too loud), or maybe I expect too much from AGC?PS: I also tried using Hi-SP, but it's still barely audible.←Yes, the level beeing low from the start, by increasing the volume in Audacity, you will also increase the noise, so the quality will not be as good as if the level were picking to the max (or as close as possible, without saturation). But since it's a lecture recording (as you said), this could be good enough. Otherwise try manual setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Go to Menu/REC SET/MIC SENS and make sure you are using HIGH SENS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_mocok Posted August 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Go to Menu/REC SET/MIC SENS and make sure you are using HIGH SENS.←I thought HI-sensitivity is only used for very weak source?But lecturer/normal conversation should be considered loud, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Either the mic is defective or the lecturer is too weak--is he/she unamplified in a big room?--so try High and see if that solves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_mocok Posted August 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 Well, after I switched mic sensitivity to high, now it's much better.Before (when its set low), I needed to turn the volume all the way up to max just to hear barely audible recording.After I switched to high, I made a test record, putting the mic around 1m from TV with moderate volume, and when I played back the recording, the sound was much louder, it's pretty much like normal volume already.Although the TV still sound slightly distant, but the sound of me moving the mic around or the sound made from close distance to mic (eg. 30cm) is loud and clear.But of course, there is a slight hiss at the background, I think this is normal from HiMD recorder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 The more gain you need to use and the higher the self noise of the mic, the more hiss you'll get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 The noise is mostly from the mic itself. Here is comparison of similar Sony models (not your 719, but others) with a quieter professional mic. http://infos.0db.net/micros/compare/indexe.php3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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