No ability to control record level.

I am using a Behringer ACA202 connected via it’s usb lead to my iMac running macOS High Sierra. I am running Audacity v2.2.0. I am hoping to transfer my old quarter inch tape collection to the iMac for archiving purposes.

I can monitor and record the output of the tape recorder ok on my iMac using Audacity, but, I do not not seem able to adjust the recording level (the source material is 40 years old and vary variable level on playback!). The ‘slide bar control’ to adjust the recording level says ‘Recording Volume (Unavailable; use system mixer)’.

Try as hard as I might I cannot find the ‘system mixer’. I have found the ‘Audio midi set up’ under the iMac’s utilities, the Behringer is shown as an input and output device - USB Audio Codec 2, but the ‘Master level control’ is greyed out and not selectable or operable.

I do hope someone can point me in the right direction please.

That “use system mixer” applies mostly to Windows, unfortunately. On Mac there is no possibility of level control of a USB audio input device.

In the case of Mac, “system mixer” means the Sound panel in System Preferences. You’ll find that the input level slider there is disabled when you select the Behringer for input.

How low are the levels? What reel-to-reel recorder are you using for the transfer? Does it have output level control?

If the peak levels are -20 dB or higher you’re OK. I’ve found that’s not atypical for Behringer USB audio input devices. The tape noise (hiss) will overwhelm any noise inherent to the interface. So you can just use Effect > Amplify to bring the level up after recording.

– Bill

Bill - many thanks for your reply.

I’m using my old Akai X201D tape recorder, it does not have any form of level control on it’s outputs. I actually have too much signal rather than too little, hence I am suffering from occasional overload and distortion problems.

I have an Acer Windows 7 laptop and whilst it’s not ideal I guess I will have to use that. If I go down that path, is the Windows input signal control function actually controlling the levels within the Behringer itself or is it performing some ‘jiggery pokery’ on the digitised signal arriving down the USB lease? I mindful that the signal may be being distorting in the RCAphono /USB conversion process and, in effect, the level control in the Windows control panel is just controlling the level of the signal after it has been distorted. I guess I really need to ensure the correct signal levels going in to the Behringer.

I used to have a hi-fi amp and could have plugged it between the Akai and the Behringer to reduce and control the levels, I used this technique when I was archiving my old Betamax collection (!), but, I took it to the local dump after finishing the video transfers not ever thinking I would need it again. Lesson learned.

I doubt very much that the Windows machine will control the analog level in the Behringer before conversion. You are correct that it will likely just reduce the level of the already-distorted signal.

You could try using an adapter cable to connect the headphone output of the Akai to the Behringer - that way you could control the level into the Behringer.

– Bill

There is no control of the level from the headphone socket either - but do you think it will be lower than the levels from the line-level phono outputs?

That’s too bad. A picture of the machine seems to show a level control above the headphone socket. No, I doubt that the headphone output is lower than the line output.

The specs I’ve found on the web for this machine say it has a DIN output of 0.4V. That might be worth a try. The spec for the line output says 1.23V which is quite high.

A DIN to RCA cable might be difficult to find these days. Are you confident opening up the machine and soldering an RCA cable to the DIN connector?

Another option is to find a pre-amp and use that to control the level into the Behringer.

As I said before, using the Windows laptop is unlikely to help, but there’s no downside to trying.

– Bill

I used this ARTcessories one when I digibitted my vinyl and tapes: http://artproaudio.com/turntable_preamps/product/djpre_ii/
See that lovely big gain control knob on the front - i fed that to my external USB soundcard Edirol UA-1EX (now discontinued)

Artcessories also make a combined preamp with USB ADC?DAC soundcard: http://artproaudio.com/turntable_preamps/product/usb_phono_plus-ps/

I would have bought one of those if it was available at the time

WC

Many thanks Bill, sorry for the delay in replying. I probably do have a DIN>phono lead somewhere amongst myself stash of old leads. So I will give it a go sometime - busy with other things at the moment.

PS, the control above the headphone socket is the mains on/off push button switch.

Thank you for the links, I will investigate them further if needs be. I see there is an agent in the UK.

I bought mine in the UK - online somewhere, can’t recall.

Hi Bill, just to update you. I did try the DIN > Phono lead and as you rightly suspected the level was lower and the distortion in the complete chain was pretty much reduced to zero - by ear anyway. However, if anything the level is a little bit too low so I am going to go down the route of a small amplifier. Thanks for all your assistance with this. Regards, Yellowtriumph.

Thanks for the update.
I’d do a test recording, use Effect > Amplify to bring the levels up to normal then listen to the result. I suspect that the hiss level coming off the tape will be higher than the noise level inherent in the digital recording. That would save you purchasing an amplifier.
– Bill

Hi All:

My question is, How does one control the recording volume as represented by the WaveForm (WF)? I am using Aud 2.1.3 on a Windows 10 System in a New HP Laptop and a professional Samson Mic specifically to create recorded verbal radio programs (reading of news, single voice reading) the completed file of which is then uploaded to our Broadcaster in Phoenix (Sun Sounds of Arizona) as MP3 files for air. I have been doing this for three years and am still baffled by the answers to this question. So I’m trying again using different words.

I would think that the setting on the Recording Volume Slide Window is indicative of the volume that is represented in the W/F just as if it were a radio volume knob on a 1920 Emerson 200-pound radio. Further, in one of your previous messages, it was suggested (I don’t know by whom) that running at 100% volume results in muffled or estranged results. Other have suggested to always record at 100%. Nevertheless, I have to use almost 100% to get normal volume showing on the W/F and on the actual sound of the recording. Turning the volume needle down only a few percentage points (like around 97% or 95% reduces my volume and the height of the W/F too much, almost to a whisper. I have also tried using the Effect → Amplify function but it seems to screw up a number of other things, especially in the consistency of the various recordings and sections of same; thus, I am reluctant to use the Effect → Amplify function for any kind of consistent volume control. There was a time when I could get the W/F peaking right up to the edges of the limiting bars with occasional clipping taking place. Now, I’m lucky to get a W/F that is, on average, covering half of the bar (although the end results in the MP3 conversion appears to be acceptable. Can you make any sense out of all this?

In the analog part of the mic preamp. If the preamp of the Samson (I suppose it’s a USB mic?) doesn’t have a gain control, you’re done. It will always be too loud, or not loud enough.