Extremely high audio levels from Sony USB turntable

[jjflagg]

Using a Sony USB turntable with 64-bit Windows 7, the audio level from the turntable is so high that a setting of 3 (out of 100) produces clipping. Fine control of the level seems to be impossible, so I have been using 2, which is lower than optimum. When I used an analog input through my motherboard audio and a USB Instant TV box, a setting in the upper half of the range worked. Any idea what I could do to turn the turntable levels down?

[kozikowski]

Which model number exactly?

There's a vey good chance you're not recording the USB signal from the turntable because you have no volume control over that and having a level that far wrong is highly unlikely on a name-brand turntable.

Koz

[waxcylinder]

Is there a gain control (volume control) on the Sony USB TT? Have a look in the manual for the device.

WC

[jjflagg]

The only connection between the turntable and PC is USB.

[jjflagg]

The model is PS-LX300USB.

[jjflagg]

There seems to be no gain control. That is controlled through Control Panel. The device is called Microphone - USB Audio CODEC, and is the default driver installed by Windows, as Sony said it would happen.

The gain can also be controlled from Audacity, but it's easier to see the setting in Control Panel, which shows the numeric value. This value has a range of 0-100, but the only values that have any use at all in my case are 1, 2, or 3. 1 is too low, and 3 produces clipping, so I use 2.

There may be something wrong in the analog circuitry of the turntable or in the A/D converter. A friend purchased it over a year ago, but the box wasn't opened until last week, so I think a warranty claim is not possible.

[Gale Andrews]

USB audio inputs on 7 and Vista are often said to be too hot.

Can the RCA output on the turntable be switched to line level? Does the computer have a blue line-in port or a way to switch the mic input to stereo line level? If so, you can connect the turntable to the computer that way with a suitable adaptor cable. Line-in will probably have a more controllable input.


Gale