Is my Micro BR faulty?

[wgwy]

I've just recently started to use the Micro BR. It seems to work fine with my Roland V-Accordion connected to the Line input. However, I'm wondering if I have a problem with the internal microphone and external mic in. Basically, I'm not getting enough volume. With the internal mic, trying to record a normal speaking voice at a range of 1-2ft, with the mic sensitivity at max (+8db), the input level at max (100), listening to the recording with headphones, I have to have the playback volume at max to hear the recording, and it's by no means loud. It's much the same with a Sony ECM-DS70P mic (Plug-in Power ON); everything at max to hear a spoken voice.

Am I missing something very basic? I did see somewhere where someone had made a mic-stand holder to sing into the Micro BR. Does the internal mic need to be held close to the mouth to record speech? If so, it doesn't seem as if it would be much good sitting on a table to record a conversation.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Bill Y

[Pedro]

Welcome to the forum wgwy. 

Well, I don't know. It's possible that it has a defect on the microphone preamp (wich I think it's probably the same for the internal and external mics). My Micro BR it's like that too, it's not very loud both on the built-in and on the external mic but I'm used to it and always try to record as close as possible to the sound source.

I'm not much of a help....

But, hey you can always try to compare your Micro BR with others.

[Pedro]

But you can try to turn around it by creating a Pre-Amp for electret microphones yourself. This will amplify the source and make it sound better and you can use it your Sony ECM-DS70P . See http://www.geocities.com/ferocious_1999/md/micpreamp2.html. It was made initally for Minidisc but works with Micro BR as well.

There are commercial preamp avaible, I found this one: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=SPEC&ModuleNo=29908&doy=25m12#spec. But I don't know if it is good or works with your microphone. There must be more commercial preamps though.

[Mr. Scar]

I find the external mic make low level recordings also. For instance; if I record a  track of externally miked guitar and then use electric into the guitar input...the electric guitar lays down a much louder track.

Is there a way to monitor the incoming electric track at a lower volume during recording,,,,and still get that punchy high level input?

[Pedro]

Is there a way to monitor the incoming electric track at a lower volume during recording,,,,and still get that punchy high level input?

Yes, by lowering the headphones volume knob on the left side.

[Mr. Scar]

Is there a way to monitor the incoming electric track at a lower volume during recording,,,,and still get that punchy high level input?

Yes, by lowering the headphones volume knob on the left side.

Yeah, but lowering the volume knob on the left side will lower all tracks volumes. I want to lower the volume of just incoming guitar input track, as it usually dominates the tracks recorded with the onboard mic.

[Pedro]

Oh, I understand, you want to lower it so you can hear the other tracks well when you are recording the guitar track. The best way to do that is to use the Sensibility parameter on the Input window. Press INPUT, then GTR, select Sns then lower some dB, 3 or 4 must do. Another way would be to increase the volume of the existing tracks on the Track Volume Level window.

But the real best way is the record all of your tracks at the same high level. Try to find a way to record loud acoustic guitar, a specific position or something.