Line in vs. Mic on W3J

Quick question, folks.

I use the line in on my desktop to record from a tape player (cdex, which records from analog input and saves it as an mp3). I tried it with my new W3J this weekend, only to find that using the mic in makes the sound rather distorted (it sounds as if the volume were all the way up and the speakers were about to blow).

Anybody know a good way to record from an analog source using the W3J? It's got a mic jack and a SPDIF/headphone jack which is an output rather than an input, I think.

Thanks,
--KK

 

The mic in is the only way. you might look into a usb sound card if you need to do a better recording.

 

Kansa,

I know this may not be the type of solution you're seeking, but what about looking into a different recording device. Rather than going from a tape deck to the W3J to get MP3, what about using a digital recorder that could capture your source and directly save it as MP3? I know there are various options available for this - Olympus and Sony come to mind but I know there are others as well.

 

I know Kansa's talking audio, but does anybody know the best way to import video to a W3J from a MiniDV Camcorder that will eventually be viewed online? Firewire right? Anyone know the best software to import the video and audio that can also handle editing and then compress/encode it for viewing on a website, all in one user and cost friendly package? Thanks

 

SRD--Thanks for the info. I might have to look into a USB sound card. I need my audiobooks!

A-Lit--Thanks for the ideas. A lot of the library editions of the audiobooks I listen to are in cassette format. They are the "original" source for my mp3 recordings, so I have to record from a cassette player. I found that the tape decks introduced too much 60 Hz "hum" into the recordings. It's a pain in the rear, but I think it's worth it in the end since I would much rather cart around my tiny Creative MuVo than a tape player and a box of tapes.

Calibrated--From experience, Firewire is the best way to go for transfering DV files. I couldn't speak to the compression software, though.


Thank you all for your help on this.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&description=&srchInDesc=&minPrice=&maxPrice=

Kansa here you go.

 

Thanks, SRD. I appreciate it.

I'll look into getting one of those, either the el-cheapo or the Turtle Beach.

--KK

 

Hi Kansa,
The solution is relatively simple. You need to an attenuator, The mic input is too hot, so you need to drop the input signal. You can either buy an attenuator ( available from video gear suppliers, 'cause people use them to adjust the sound on video cameras ) or you can make one. You'll need a three way switch, three resistors, an input jack, an output jack, some wire and a small project box to put it in - all available from Radio Shack or someplace like that. From the hot side of the input send the signal to the switch to select one of the three resistors, valued 10, 100, 1000. One of these values should cut the signal enough to give you a line level. Do a Google if you need a schematic. I built one for about 20 dollars. If you wanted to get really tricky, you could use variable resistors. Happy recording.