Low recording volume... (Mac OS X 10.5.3, M-Audio Audiophile

[kingfausto]

Hello,

I'm trying to record music from my 2 Technics turntables with a Vestax mixer and an external Audiophile soundcard. However, I can only hear the recorded music if I have the gain knob on my mixer turned to max. I know the +20 boost thing in Windows but is there an alternative for Mac? I'm using a Macbook.

Any help would be appreciated a lot, thanks.

[steve]

Turntables generally require a pre-amp for 2 reasons:
1) To boost the signal level
2) To apply the correct equalization (RIAA) to make it sound right (not thin and tinny).

Some turntables have a pre-amp built in, but most do not.
Some mixers have a phono pre-amp (for turntables) built in, but most do not.

If neither your turntable or your mixing desk have a phono pre-amp built in, then for best results you need to get one. It will go between the turntable and the mixer. Turntable pre-amps start at about £20 ($40) upward.

[kingfausto]

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that I have a pre-amp, that shouldn't be the problem...

[kozikowski]

<<<I forgot to mention that I have a pre-amp>>>

We live on compulsive data gathering. Which preamp? Which MacBook?

I think you may be working too hard. Take the output of your (we assume) stand-alone Phono Preamp and adapt it directly to the Line-In of your MacBook. Usually, Stereo RCA to Stereo 1/8" plug.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search

Go into the Apple > System Preferences > Hardware > Sound > Input and switch it to Line-In.

Record your brains out.

Koz

[kingfausto]

Problem solved! Thanks!