Recording LP's from RZ50

Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
It's been several months since I have recorded an LP to my laptop. Sometimes when I haven't done that in a while, my settings need to be re-established using this attached page. "Zone 2" was greyed out, so I fixed that by going to config and setting zone 2 to "zone B". Went to record and no signal. I hit Q on the remote again. The options for audio are: off, on (A+B) and on (B). with zone B off, I get no signal to my laptop. With "on (A+B)", I get a signal, but the speakers are in 7 channel and you cannot change it to stereo. Display says "not available" when you try. What step am I missing? I betcha @Trebdp83 knows what it is.
 

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H

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Do you plan to record from LPs often? If so, and if the Onkyo settings change over time (they shouldn't), maybe a resonably-priced outboard phono preamp would be easier. I don't mean to spend your money for you, but it may be esaier and faster in the long run.

If you use Zone 2 output for this, make sure the recording input level is fairly high- if it's too low, you lose the ability to adjust in fine increments and it's more likely to cause distortion at the computer's input- Rec Out ISN'T the same as the pre-outs because recorders want about 1V.

I would refer to Pg 153 for Zone 2 setup, then set the maximum output to about 60 (if you use the 0-100 scale) with the computer's recording input set to about 7/10 if it has a slider record level control, or 1:00 if it has a rotary control. The level should never go above +3VU for anything but the strongest peaks and really, I wouldn't go higher than +2VU if you want the recording to be as clean as possible, assuming the LPs have decent dynamic range. Before CDs, many Pop & Rock LPs had about 20dB of dynamic range, classical may have 30dB if the recording was particularly good. Remember, this is usable dynamics, not 'level of hiss to max".

Use Zone 2 Volume control to find the average maximum level, then set it to the closest point that corresponds to one of the 10s (-20, -30, -40, etc) if you use the 1-100 scale. I use -dB whenever I set up an AVR because it's associated with audio level far more than 1-100.
 
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Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
Do you plan to record from LPs often? If so, and if the Onkyo settings change over time (they shouldn't), maybe a resonably-priced outboard phono preamp would be easier. I don't mean to spend your money for you, but it may be esaier and faster in the long run.

If you use Zone 2 output for this, make sure the recorder's input level is fairly high- if it's too low, you lose the ability to adjust in fine increments and it's more likely to cause distortion at the tape recorder's input- Rec Out ISN'T the same as the pre-outs because recorders want about 1V.

I would refer to Pg 153 for Zone 2 setup, then set the maximum output to about 60 (if you use the 0-100 scale) with the recorder set to about 7/10 if it has a slider record level control, or 1:00 if it has a rotary control. The level should never go above +3VU for anything but the strongest peaks and really, I wouldn't go higher than +2VU if you want the recording to be as clean as possible, assuming the LPs have decent dynamic range. Before CDs, many Pop & Rock LPs had about 20dB of dynamic range, classical may have 30dB if the recording was particularly good. Remember, this is usable dynamics, not 'level of hiss to max".

Use Zone 2 Volume control to find the average maximum level, then set it to the closest point that corresponds to one of the 10s (-20, -30, -40, etc) if you use the 1-100 scale. I use -dB whenever I set up an AVR because it's associated with audio level far more than 1-100.
Thx. I just got home... I'll read this a little closer later on. And yeah, I would like to have the majority of my LP's recorded eventually. Multi-year project at the pace I've been on unfortunately.
 
T

Trebdp83

Audioholic Spartan
The Zone 2 Pre Out setting was used last time. Go into Speaker Configuration settings and set Zone Speaker to No. Then, set Zone 2/B Pre Out to Zone 2.

You can power ON Zone 2 from the remote controller by holding down the ZONE 2/SHIFT button and then tapping the power button. While holding down the ZONE 2/SHIFT button, tap the PHONO button to select for output in Zone 2. You can also use the Onkyo Controller app in a Smart device to control each Zone.

The volume level from the Zone 2 Pre Out is Fixed by default but can be switched to Variable . Stereo mode will be selectable in the Main Zone when using Zone 2 instead of Zone B.
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
The Zone 2 Pre Out setting was used last time. Go into Speaker Configuration settings and set Zone Speaker to No. Then, set Zone 2/B Pre Out to Zone 2.

You can power ON Zone 2 from the remote controller by holding down the ZONE 2/SHIFT button and then tapping the power button. While holding down the ZONE 2/SHIFT button, tap the PHONO button to select for output in Zone 2. You can also use the Onkyo Controller app in a Smart device to control each Zone.

The volume level from the Zone 2 Pre Out is Fixed by default but can be switched to Variable . Stereo mode will be selectable in the Main Zone when using Zone 2 instead of Zone B.
This is awesome! Works great of course now. I'll refer back to this post if/when I need it. Because I will forget some of this probably! Thx again!
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
Taping this half-speed master of Beatle Paul's "Wings Wild Life" at the moment!
R-22010152-1643908615-6132.jpg
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Thx. I just got home... I'll read this a little closer later on. And yeah, I would like to have the majority of my LP's recorded eventually. Multi-year project at the pace I've been on unfortunately.
Unless you are planning to sell your LPs I see no point in recording them. I don't do that and find playing LPs the best way to enjoy them. I played a three disc set the other day, that I have had for years. All 6 sides played without a single tick or click, and you would have thought you were listening to a very high quality CD or stream. Also I suspect the LP will be more durable and longer lasting then any digital copy. I am finding increasing numbers of my oldest CDs are becoming unplayable. All of my LPs that are nearly all older than my oldest CDs play just fine.

I would say recording LPs is a huge waste of time and effort.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Yeah a few years back got a ART Phono Plus to provide a digital copy. It was such a tedious process I just decided playing the LP was easier. While it would be nice to be able to playback on other systems, not that big a deal for me as I have digital versions of my favorites for the most part....
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
Unless you are planning to sell your LPs I see no point in recording them. I don't do that and find playing LPs the best way to enjoy them. I played a three disc set the other day, that I have had for years. All 6 sides played without a single tick or click, and you would have thought you were listening to a very high quality CD or stream. Also I suspect the LP will be more durable and longer lasting then any digital copy. I am finding increasing numbers of my oldest CDs are becoming unplayable. All of my LPs that are nearly all older than my oldest CDs play just fine.

I would say recording LPs is a huge waste of time and effort.
I have 2 iPods (I know you believe those belong in the Smithsonian, but put that aside for a moment). One ipod has mostly CD's and downloads, the other is exclusively for LP's that I have recorded. So if I want to hear an LP in any of my systems, including in the car, I can do that. So for me, it's not a waste of time.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
I have 2 iPods (I know you believe those belong in the Smithsonian, but put that aside for a moment). One ipod has mostly CD's and downloads, the other is exclusively for LP's that I have recorded. So if I want to hear an LP in any of my systems, including in the car, I can do that. So for me, it's not a waste of time.
If that is why you are doing it I guess it makes sense. I mainly listen to news in the car. Not a good place to listen to music I care about. In case no one noticed, I am a odd, and can not tolerate music I care about not faithfully reproduced.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
If that is why you are doing it I guess it makes sense. I mainly listen to news in the car. Not a good place to listen to music I care about. In case no one noticed, I am a odd, and can not tolerate music I care about not faithfully reproduced.
I'd question the quality of such news mostly. Better even if its not ideal conditions to be music....
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Field Marshall
Of course if I want to hear an LP in it's purety and how it was intended, even if I have it recorded, no doubt it's coming out of it's sleeve and it'll be played on my primo living room system. Btw, I am really enjoying my Kef Q11 Metas. Better imaging, better bass, better everything than I had with my Klipsch La Scalas.
 
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lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Of course if I want to hear an LP in it's purety and how it was intended, even if I have it recorded, no doubt it's coming out of it's sleeve and it'll be played on my primo living room system. Btw, I am really enjoying my Kef Q11 Metas. Better imaging, better bass, better everything than I had with my Klipsch La Scalas.
Good to know about your change from the Klipsch. You still won't have much as to the original experience in the room they mix/master in, as your gear and room are simply different....
 
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