Newbie with low sound output levels on a Zoom MRS-1608

[Dr_Mervelous]

Hi all

New here and my first post. So I guess a bit of background would be polite before jumping in and asking questions...

I'm in the UK and have been involved in making music for over 20 years. About two years ago I discovered the wonders of multi-track digital recorders and bought a second hand Zoom MRS-1608. Its changed my music making completely and have been non stop writing and self recording songs for two years - all those years wasted when I had ideas and rhythms etc and I couldnt record them other than on a piece of paper in chord and tab format; I now have over 200 songs recorded.

Ok, the problem now - I was out in the garden shed a couple weeks ago recording a bass track, and half way through recording the level on the bass dropped quite significantly. That is to say, I have the Zoom plugged into a stereo with speakers so I dont need to wear headphones all the time. The pre-recorded drum track stayed at the same sound output level, but the recorded track sound level had dropped by about half.

I have tried different instruments through different input slots (mic through inputs 5 and 6 at the back, and guitars and keyboards through inputs 1 and 2 at the front), and it seems as though all input sound levels are the same.

It is at the point that I need to turn the input level up so high that it distorts, else I can hardly hear it. I've even played 'old' recordings

I'm desperately hoping this makes sense, and hoping even more so that someone can help explain what is needed to fix. Is the system broken? Can it be fixed? Should I just buy another machine?

I've been reading through the other forum posts all morning to try and find an answer from a previous thread but haven't found anything as yet

Any help would be greatly appreciated, many thanks in advance

Kind regards

Dr_M

[Ruzz]

Questions:

1 - Do other recordings play properly all the way through?

If yes, then stop panicking, it's mostly likely an issue with this one track that can surely be fixed...

2 - Is it...

(A) the inbuilt bass program that is having a problem or
(B) are you recording a true bass instrument plugged into the Zoom?

If A, have you (perhaps accidentally) modified the bass track level by editing the BASS track info? The BASS instrument program info can be edited (on a measure by measure, beat by beat basis). One thing you can change is the output level of the track which can be set anywhere from value 0 to 15. See page 101 of the Zoom 1608 Operation Manual.

If B, did you (again, perhaps accidentally) store a "scene" which is being used during playback at the measure where the bass suddenly drops? Read the Scene section beginning on page 84.

HTH
Ruzz

[Dr_Mervelous]

Originally Posted by Ruzz

Questions:

1 - Do other recordings play properly all the way through?

If yes, then stop panicking, it's mostly likely an issue with this one track that can surely be fixed...

2 - Is it...

(A) the inbuilt bass program that is having a problem or
(B) are you recording a true bass instrument plugged into the Zoom?

If A, have you (perhaps accidentally) modified the bass track level by editing the BASS track info? The BASS instrument program info can be edited (on a measure by measure, beat by beat basis). One thing you can change is the output level of the track which can be set anywhere from value 0 to 15. See page 101 of the Zoom 1608 Operation Manual.

If B, did you (again, perhaps accidentally) store a "scene" which is being used during playback at the measure where the bass suddenly drops? Read the Scene section beginning on page 84.

HTH
Ruzz

Ruzz

Many thanks for your reply

In answer to 1. yes all other tracks play through as they have been recorded

In answer to 2. sorry I didn't make it clear before, I don't use the inbuilt bass as I dont like them so that track was turned off as always, and I'm a bass player at heart - so in answer I was recording a true bass into the Zoom.

I don't know that I have recorded a 'scene', although I'm not sure what that is, I just always done the same as I always do - plug in, start the drum track and play into the machine - half way through the track I lost the sound on the recording bass track only;

And it happens on all input tracks I use now - so I've tried starting a new song,a nd the sound levels are diminished on those too, regardless of trying different instruments, different input sockets, even with the mic in the back - all the sound levels are much lower than the inbuilt drum track.

What was strange was it happened whilst I was recording so I didnt press anything to change the program at all - my initial concern is that its some electrical connection inside the machine itself



Grateful for any further advice you can offer

Dr_M

[Ruzz]

Originally Posted by Dr_Mervelous

And it happens on all input tracks I use now - so I've tried starting a new song,a nd the sound levels are diminished on those too, regardless of trying different instruments, different input sockets, even with the mic in the back - all the sound levels are much lower than the inbuilt drum track.

Hmmm. Sounds like a fault

Which of these statements is true:

1 - If I plug something in and begin recording, that something is immediately "too quiet" (ie, not like it used to be before I ever encountered the fault).

2 - If I plug something in and begin recording, is starts out ok, but after a minute or so it goes "too quiet" (ie, not like it used to be before I ever encountered the fault).

1 is almost definitely a faulty 1608 (I'd say) (it sounds like the input stage is shagged).

2 might be a faulty 1608 but it could possibly be cured with a full software/firmware reset - I really can't say for sure.

I'm getting the impression you don't have a manual? Go to the zoom site and download one (it's a pdf). Scenes are Zoom's version of automated mixing - pretty vital when a song is "dense" and complex. And,if you want to shoot for 2, you'll need to follow the factory reset procedures beginning on page 184. ZOOM

I hear what you say about it happening while recording - that you couldn't have "done" anything... but still, check the rec level knob (mine has a red cap on it). It's just a pot (as in potentiometer) at the end of the day and even when left "untouched", over time it will "change" (blame it on sod, or murphy or entropy depending on your beliefs )

Here's hoping it isn't a blown input stage...

Ruzz

[Dr_Mervelous]

Originally Posted by Ruzz

Hmmm. Sounds like a fault

Which of these statements is true:

1 - If I plug something in and begin recording, that something is immediately "too quiet" (ie, not like it used to be before I ever encountered the fault).

2 - If I plug something in and begin recording, is starts out ok, but after a minute or so it goes "too quiet" (ie, not like it used to be before I ever encountered the fault).

1 is almost definitely a faulty 1608 (I'd say) (it sounds like the input stage is shagged).


I hear what you say about it happening while recording - that you couldn't have "done" anything... but still, check the rec level knob (mine has a red cap on it). It's just a pot (as in potentiometer) at the end of the day and even when left "untouched", over time it will "change" (blame it on sod, or murphy or entropy depending on your beliefs )

Here's hoping it isn't a blown input stage...

Ruzz

Hi again Ruzz and many thanks for getting back to me.

I'm afraid its definitely number 1 and not 2, which as you suggest may be a blown input stage, and doesn't sound good.

I do have a manual although downloaded one here for reference while replying, and handy to know as well. I just hadn't got that far into the manual - I know, I know, I'm too interested in creating the sound rather than finding out how the machine works properly...

I shall have a go at some of the maintenance/repair options tomorrow and check the rec level knob, but as I said before I dont think its that else the inbuilt drum track would be low too (?)

If the input stage is blown, is that the end of recording on the unit - I mean usefully, other than with reduced sound level?

Looks like sod, Murphy, entropy AND buggery have got into the system as you suggest



Any further suggestions, except hope for eBay sales? Can it be repaired?

Thanks again Ruzz, helpful to know one way or another as at least I can download the songs I have onto a laptop

[Ruzz]

Originally Posted by Dr_Mervelous

If the input stage is blown, is that the end of recording on the unit

Pretty much, yes. Although, do NOT take my remote diagnosis as gospel. Get it checked out properly/professionally (if you can find anyone - good luck with that!)

And yeah, Ebay is as good a place as any to pick up another unit.

Thanks again Ruzz, helpful to know one way or another as at least I can download the songs I have onto a laptop

That's right - a full reset will effectively wipe the drive so back up everything you don't want to lose.

R