how to split mono to stereo, maintaining levels? at DVinfo.net

Shayne Weyker · October 24th, 2007, 01:55 PM

I'm working with a Sony DSR45A DV deck and I want to be able to dub to a DVD recorder (with 2 RCA in for audio). Video is no problem but the regular audio outputs on the Sony deck are in use by other equipment that I can't loop back from to the DVD recorder. The DV out from the deck is also already taken. [EDIT -- actually the deck *has no* stereo pair of RCA outs, but it does have XLR outs I can use]

Now the deck has monitor audio out, but it allows only a single RCA cable. I don't mind losing stereo seperation but this poses a problem.

When recording from the deck to recorder I must either
record to only one (L or R) audio channel on the recorder or
split the audio and have much quieter audio than is on the source.

I don't like either of these options. Is there a good + fairly cheap way to split to 2 channels retaining the original volume on the DV tape before feeding it to the recorder?

Thanks,

Shayne Weyker
http://weykervideo.com

Brooks Harrington · October 24th, 2007, 04:07 PM

What is the regular audio out from deck hooked up to?
I'm assuming you are using analog video out from deck, and you also want to use analog audio from deck to DVD recorder. A small mixer could be useful to split the audio for you.
OR, if your DVD recorder has a Firewire input, use that for audio+video from the deck if it has a firewire connector.

Shayne Weyker · October 25th, 2007, 11:10 AM

I actually was wrong before about the regular stereo outs being used by something else. The deck has zero RCA outputs other than the single mono one for monitor. Before I came in the only output from the deck used was via firewire to the PC.

The deck does however have 4 unused XLR audio outs (ch 1-4, which we only use 1&2). These XLR are +4dbu (600 ohms balanced).

I alrady have RCA wires going to the DVD recorder, so someone please point me to the right
XLR-female->RCA-female adapter and in-line
attenuator to get the signal to line level and I'll be set.

Thanks,

Shayne Weyker

David Ennis · October 25th, 2007, 04:19 PM

Theoretically you need -12dB of attenuation, but attenuators are hard to find other than at multiples of -10dB

This would plug into the deck: Female XLR to male XLR attenuator, -10 dB (close enough):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Line_XLR.html

And this would plug into the above attenuator.
Female XLR to female RCA:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...le_RCA_to.html

If you don't mind a few more bucks, this is a more versatile attenuator to have in your kit (I have two of them):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ttenuator.html

October 24th, 2007, 01:55 PM	#1
Shayne Weyker Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 83	how to split mono to stereo, maintaining levels? I'm working with a Sony DSR45A DV deck and I want to be able to dub to a DVD recorder (with 2 RCA in for audio). Video is no problem but the regular audio outputs on the Sony deck are in use by other equipment that I can't loop back from to the DVD recorder. The DV out from the deck is also already taken. [EDIT -- actually the deck has no stereo pair of RCA outs, but it does have XLR outs I can use] Now the deck has monitor audio out, but it allows only a single RCA cable. I don't mind losing stereo seperation but this poses a problem. When recording from the deck to recorder I must either record to only one (L or R) audio channel on the recorder or split the audio and have much quieter audio than is on the source. I don't like either of these options. Is there a good + fairly cheap way to split to 2 channels retaining the original volume on the DV tape before feeding it to the recorder? Thanks, Shayne Weyker http://weykervideo.com Last edited by Shayne Weyker; October 25th, 2007 at 11:14 AM. Reason: noted error

October 25th, 2007, 04:19 PM	#4
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Theoretically you need -12dB of attenuation, but attenuators are hard to find other than at multiples of -10dB This would plug into the deck: Female XLR to male XLR attenuator, -10 dB (close enough): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Line_XLR.html And this would plug into the above attenuator. Female XLR to female RCA: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...le_RCA_to.html If you don't mind a few more bucks, this is a more versatile attenuator to have in your kit (I have two of them): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ttenuator.html __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

October 24th, 2007, 04:07 PM	#2
Brooks Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 152	What is the regular audio out from deck hooked up to? I'm assuming you are using analog video out from deck, and you also want to use analog audio from deck to DVD recorder. A small mixer could be useful to split the audio for you. OR, if your DVD recorder has a Firewire input, use that for audio+video from the deck if it has a firewire connector.

October 25th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#3
Shayne Weyker Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 83	I actually was wrong before about the regular stereo outs being used by something else. The deck has zero RCA outputs other than the single mono one for monitor. Before I came in the only output from the deck used was via firewire to the PC. The deck does however have 4 unused XLR audio outs (ch 1-4, which we only use 1&2). These XLR are +4dbu (600 ohms balanced). I alrady have RCA wires going to the DVD recorder, so someone please point me to the right XLR-female->RCA-female adapter and in-line attenuator to get the signal to line level and I'll be set. Thanks, Shayne Weyker