Clueless here
JVC KD-55 STEREO TAPE DECK
Did try to google answer
Could I set OUTPUT here and go directly to usb sound card
bypassing cheap RCA preamp?
Yes.
Sometimes it’s handy to use the preamp’s volume control when there is no other way to adjust the recording volume.
The next issue is, do you have a soundcard or audio interface with line-in? … Most laptops only have mic-in and headphone-out.
Regular RCA inputs/outputs are line level. The exception is phono inputs signals. Phono cartridges put-out a weak signal and you need a phono preamp to get line level. Microphones are also low-level but they normally use different connectors.
It’s not really “calibrated”… Some line outputs are “hotter” than others, some recordings are louder than others, and sometimes there’s a volume control. But usually the output is high-enough and whatever it’s plugged-into has enough gain, so that everything works together.
Thanks for info.
Yes, I am using USB external sound card you recommended to me earlier.
I am really more interested in text highlighted in yellow on photo.
Do you know what JVC was on about?
I think they are saying you can adjust the output level and at that setting on the knob, 0dB on the VU meter corresponds to 0.3V.
Most take decks don’t have a volume control for line-out, just one for headphone out. The assumption is that the volume will be adjusted in the preamp or receiver.
For you, that doesn’t matter… The important thing is that the digital level doesn’t “try” to go over 0dB and clip (distort). (1) Nothing bad happens when you get close to 0dB and low digital levels aren’t a problem unless they are caused by some kind of analog problem. You can amplify after recording and the digital amplification is lossless. Pros often record around -12 to -18dB. (You don’t need to leave that much headroom.)
(1) Digital (ADCs & DACs, etc.) is hard limited at 0dB and will hard-clip if you try to go over. Analog tape starts to saturate and soft-clip around 0dB so it’s more forgiving on the “loud end”. The record/playback EQ further "softens the distortion. So it wasn’t unusual to occasionally go “into the red”. Also, you wanted a hot signal to overcome tape hiss. But with digital, no tape hiss!
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