HELP! Sound Volume problems with Sony MZ-Nh700

[zobin]

Hey,

I recently got a Sony Mz-NH700 Hi-MD player (it´s great by the way), but I have a little problem.

When I use SonicStage to transfer the songs it works good, but when i listen to the songs in the MD the sound volume is painfully low. I have to turn it to 28-30 (max) to have a decent sound level.

And the other problem, it´s maybe a related problem, is when i turn on the EQ in the player (doesn´t matter which setting) the sound really get´s annoying.

Not only does the volume get lower than before, but the sound volume goes up and down.

For e.g when you listen to a live recording the sound of the crowd cheering is loud, but then when the band plays it get´s lower. And during to song to, depending om if the drummer plays on the kick or cymbal or anything.

It is really annoying.

How can I fix this? The mp3 and wma´s are ok, it´s not a problem with those it must be something else.

Please help,.

Thanks

[dex Otaku]

Please don't post in multiple fora at the same time.

It sounds to me like you have AVLS turned on. AVLS monitors the output level and compresses it to prevent hearing damage. It also has an extremely low threshold that most people find unacceptably quiet with their headphones.

You can find how to turn AVLS off in your manual.

Using the EQ and AVLS [compression] together will exaggerate the effect, so it makes sense that the EQ makes things worse. [As a side note, it sounds like Sony got the order of their DSP wrong in that case, too.]

[zobin]

Hi,

Oh I will remember not to write in two boards, sorry.

The AVLS is off. The strange thing is that the other regular MD´s that I recorded years ago in analog mode with my other MD sound good.

It must have to do with the Sonic Stage or something

By the way, you do mean AVLS in the Minidisc player?

[dex Otaku]

Yes, AVLS on the player.

I'm not really sure what to suggest. It still sounds like some kind of compression, limiting, or normalising is taking place [none of which SonicStage does].

Let's see if I have this right so far:

* anything you transcode with SonicStage does it

* the originals on your computer sound fine

* enabling EQ on the player makes the problem worse

* AVLS on the player is turned off

.. What is the source of the recordings you're listening to? Have you tried importing a CD or just a track from a CD straight into SonicStage ["recording" it, rather]? Have you tried copying a CD to HiMD using Simple Burner to see if there is a difference?

[zobin]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Here are the answers to your questions:

Let's see if I have this right so far:

* anything you transcode with SonicStage does it

Yes, I just tried to record something with an analog cable from my stereo and i can turn the volume how high I like. Even until my ears hurt...

And the EQ gives me no problems.

* the originals on your computer sound fine

Yup. They are all ripped from original cd´s.

* enabling EQ on the player makes the problem worse

Yeah, that´s the irritating part. I could bare with the volume level if the EQ would work. But if I turn the volume up (anywhere from 23-30 which is max) the EQ gives me problems. It´s so annoying. When the drummer plays on the for e.g high hat only it sounds ok. But when he hits on the bass kick or the crash cymbal the EQ immediately turns the volume down.

* AVLS on the player is turned off

Yup.

The strange thing is that there is basically no volume change from 20-30. From 20 upwards it gives the exactly same volume, the only difference is that the EQ gives you more problems the higher you go.

[dex Otaku]

I don't know what to suggest. What you're describing sounds exactly like the effect of AVLS.