Danny (NS::U)

Originally posted by paulskirocks thanks for the info... i'll have to find out what sneakernet is... Maybe I'm missing some sarcasm here, but sneakernet is a longstanding joke. It means to put something on disc and walk (in your sneakers/ tennis shoes/ sandals/ barefoot) to the other computer. Airplane-net would be burning a bunch of DVD's, loading them onto a 747, and shipping them to their destination.

A big reason for preferring +4 dBu as a reference, rather than -10 dBV, is because it usually implies that the +4 device can handle a larger voltage swing (across the board - inputs and outputs). Larger voltage swings mean that the signal can get higher above the noise floor, which translates into signals with more clarity and less low level "grunge." According to http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-db-volt.htm +4 dBu = +1.78 dBV. The voltage difference between +4 dBu and -10 dBV nominal levels, then, is nearly 12 dB. I would be very happy to get 12 dB farther away from whatever noise floor I happen to have, when practicable. In general (and assuming that you don't have a defective or shoddy piece of gear), more ability to handle voltage swing = better potential for handling audio. (Although, again, this is assuming that all other quality factors are equal. There are some "consumer" audio products which can probably beat the pants off of some "pro" products.)

Any A/D converter is going to color the sound, though some are prized because (like any other piece of gear) they either color the sound in a way that someone likes, or color the sound unnoticably. Recording at 24 bits pushes the distortion due to quantization error (inaccuracy in converting very quiet parts of signals) down to lower signal levels. The better representation of low level details may not seem like a big deal, especially with loud guitar, but I think it's worth preserving as much good information as possible for as long as possible when recording (digital or analog).

He cold also be plugged into a "mic" input, now that I think about it. It wouldn't be the first time that I've heard of it, especially if it isn't labeled clearly.

I wonder if the outputs of the AudioBuddy are referenced to +4 dBu. If you're passing a really hot signal, and then connecting to -10 dBV equipment (regular soundcards and the like), then that might be part of the problem. You might be able to keep your mic placement and amp level by using one of those inline attenuators, or you could try to see if there is a way to attenuate the input levels of whatever happens to be the audio interface. Failing all of that, you can indeed pull the mic a bit farther from the cabinet, which doesn't necessarily mean disaster (though it will change things, of course)