Setting The Usb Gain Control For Successful Recording - Parasound Zphono-USB Owner's Manual

Setting the USB Gain for Successful Recording
The Zphono•USB front panel USB Gain control knob adjusts the audio level that is converted
by the A-D converter into digital information for the USB connection used for computer recording.
In order to make the best recordings, special attention must be paid to this setting just like when
you used to record on a blank cassette tape. If the USB Gain is set too high, the louder portions
of the musical waveform will be cut off or clipped resulting in audibly distorted playback. If the
USB Gain is set too low, your recording level will be too quiet and the recording will reflect a poor
signal to noise ratio with an audible background "hiss" sound. A recording made with too high or
low of a USB Gain setting will need to be deleted and recorded again with the USB Gain knob
adjusted to a more appropriate level.
The optimum USB gain setting can be found by turning the USB Gain control knob up
(clockwise) just before the point at which the USB Clip light illuminates red (where clipping
occurs). This will take some experimentation. Whenever possible, you should play the loudest
passages in your LP (or line level source) to find the proper USB gain setting before you start to
record. Once the proper setting is found and recording has begun the USB Gain knob should not
be touched again until you are ready to start the next album.
Note: The USB Clip indicator is active only when the Zphono•USB is connected to a computer
using the included USB cable.
Follow these steps to set the correct USB Gain.
1) Verify that you have selected the correct cartridge type. The Cartridge switch is located on
the rear panel. See page 8 for information on cartridge types.
2) Turn on and connect the Zphono to your computer and open your recording software (not
included). Most computer recording software programs allow you to monitor the recording
levels prior to recording. If your recording software includes this feature then open this
window. The audio level is typically represented by a separate record level "meter" for each
left and right channel.
3) Play your LP or other source and skip ahead to the section of music that you think is the
loudest. This is easiest if your Zphono•USB is connected to a stereo system or a pair of
headphones so that you will be able to hear the music playing.
4) Turn the Zphono•USB's USB Gain knob up (clockwise) until the red USB Clip indicator
flashes red with the music. (If the Clip indicator is solid red then the gain knob is turned
much too high)
5) Next, slowly turn the USB Gain level knob down (counter-clockwise) just to the point where
the red USB Clip indicator never lights up.
6) Optional: If your recording software has a monitor feature, verify that the recording level
meter stays in the green range and does not go into the red. The trick is to record as high as
possible in the green range and into the red range as little as possible.
7) Continue to play the music and see if the USB Clip indicator illuminates. If it does, turn the
USB Gain level knob down a very small amount and check the same track again.
8) Try a different track on the album and follow the same procedure to make sure that the USB
Clip light never illuminates. Since some songs may be louder than others it is best to check a
number of songs on the same album.
The proper USB gain level is now set and you are ready to record! The USB Gain setting
should not be touched again until recording is completed. Ideally, the USB Clip indicator would
never illuminate when the USB gain is set correctly. But it is realistic to expect the USB Clip
indicator to flash briefly, but only very infrequently and only for the very loudest musical peaks.
Note: The volume level will change from one album to another so you will need to repeat the above
process for the next album you want to record.
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