Korg MR-1000 - Noise levels - Line input

[hrn]

Hi Guys,
I'm thinking about getting a MR-1000, but the noise levels in the pres seems to be a bit higher than for example the Tascam or the Fostex comparable equals.

My question is: If I use an outboard preamp and line it into the MR-1000, will I get a better noise level then. The level of the outboard pre?

Overall, just thinking about if line inputs are silent enough...

Regards,
Hans

[Plush]

The line inputs on the KORG are properly designed and sound excellent.

We are aligning the the machine for -18 dBFS for 0 VU. Headroom is excellent and quality of the input is only determined by your mic amp.

[hughesmr]

Originally Posted by Plush

We are aligning the the machine for -18 dBFS for 0 VU. Headroom is excellent and quality of the input is only determined by your mic amp.

How are you doing this, BTW?

Also, can you shed some light on that "Gain" switch on the back panel? Is that what switches the inputs from mic to line, or is that something else? Or do you get line input by default when using TRS plugs?

Thanks,
Mike

[Baithak]

With the calibrated tone output on the SoundDevices Mixer I set the tone on the mixer at 0 Vu Analog and correspondingly adjust that level using the input level knobs on the Korg to -20 dBfs. As Plush has reported, this provides adequate headroom for anything from a whisper to a scream.

I have had difficulty calibrating when using the Millenia pres so if anyone has insights on how to do this it would be helpful. The Line input of the Korg does not seem to color the sound in any particular way fwiw.

Baithak

[Plush]

Originally Posted by hughesmr

How are you doing this, BTW?

Also, can you shed some light on that "Gain" switch on the back panel? Is that what switches the inputs from mic to line, or is that something else? Or do you get line input by default when using TRS plugs?

Thanks,
Mike

For line input, the gain switch should be set to "low." "High" is for a -10 input.

As for aligning the machine, I am speaking of adjusting the front panel gain control on the KORG to show a certain level on the meter when a 0VU tone is fed to the KORG via line in. Start with a -20 or -18 level and see if the program material peaks around -3 to -6. This is adequate headroom and there is no need to jam the level up to zero.

Always maintain adequate headroom and, if needed, just turn up the program material in post.

[hrn]

Thanks . What I understand from this is that I can get better noise levels by using an outboard preamp with better specifications and run it into the line input of the Korg.

I know that different mic preamps have different noise levels. But what about different line input stages. Are they something completely different compared to mic preamps? Are different line inputs all the same and dead silent....?

Just want to be able to record in high quality with the Korg using outboard preamps with their quality and noise levels. Don't want anything added.

Regards,
Hans

[Westmalle]

I currently use an Apogee minime for 44khz recordings.
Is this Korg equal or maybe better sounding when the files are converted to 44khz?

[dowland]

I was wondering if you did get the kORG in the end and what it's like.
Cheers, Yair

[hrn]

Yair,
Yes, I bought one last fall and I'm VERY happy with it. I use it with my Marenius preamp but the onboard preamps are good too.

It's difficult to describe sound quality. The first thing I was thinking when I heard my first recording was "This is not the typical pickaxed digital sound", so clean and three dimensional. That's why you often can read about comparisons with analog recorders.

Even when converted to 44.1/16 the quality is there. Hopefully we can expect DVD music players and a market for DSD.

........But it seems like mp3 is the thing...


HR

[Kees de Visser]

Originally Posted by hrn

Even when converted to 44.1/16 the quality is there.

Fascinating. If that's true, it's not the larger bandwidth (hence better time resolution) nor the increased dynamic range (lower noise floor) of DSD compared to 16/44.1 audio that's responsible for differences between the formats.
I remain curious about what aspect of DSD makes it so appealing to some listeners ?

[mrsteaks]

Originally Posted by Kees de Visser

I remain curious about what aspect of DSD makes it so appealing to some listeners ?

For me it's subjective and simple. DSD, or rather the Korg implementation of it, just sounds smoother than other digital schemes I'm used to. It has a very "analog" quality, and is very pleasing. This is my opinion, now - not gospel by any means.