External audio input problem

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:59 pm

So,

for a certain patch that I have made, I have a cable running from the headphone output back into the external input. Headphone level is 255, external audio is something like 110. Below 110, I get a noticeable beefup, at 110 it starts to overdrive and it sounds ok. Above 110 there is some absolutely AWESOME overdrive, it needs to be heard to be believed!

The problem is that alongside with the yummy overdrive I get a lot of tones (maybe 2 octaves below) that mess up with the signal. If I lower the input, things are clearer but the yummy sound is gone. I have tried to lower the levels of the oscillators running into the mixer but it doesn't sound ok, the timbre is altered a lot.

Any ideas here, how to clear this completely and still get the awesome overdrive? I have thought about connecting an equalizer between the headphones and the external audio input to cut the low frequencies. What else could help? A compressor maybe?

Thanks,
Yannis

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:05 pm

Moog says don't use the headphone out into the audio in due to an impedance mismatch.

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:08 am

OK, thanks for the info. How do I solve the impedance mismatch problem?

goldphinga · Post by **goldphinga** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:13 am

run the right output into the external audio input instead

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:09 pm

goldphinga wrote:run the right output into the external audio input instead

Nice idea. I am going to try it as soon as possible.

psyhead · Post by **psyhead** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:30 pm

Subtronik wrote:Moog says don't use the headphone out into the audio in due to an impedance mismatch.

Really?? I thought this was a standard thing ppl did with their voyagers and vintage mini's....should i not be be doing it then??? Would it screw up the input or something worse?
I think it sounds awesome...no complaints with the sound...

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:48 pm

http://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2001

psyhead · Post by **psyhead** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:54 pm

damn was quite fond of the mad distortions i was getting....i used to crank them both up a fair bit

maybe i should try it the other way now...

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:31 am

I have tried to use the left audio output into the external in and it doesn't sound the same *at all*.

Isn't there a way to match the impedances between headphone out and external in?

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:51 am

The problem is a head phone output has a stronger signal than most audio inputs can handle. You can potentially damage your input if the signal is too strong.

You could most likely spend a ton of money to have Moog customize your Voyager to match impedance, but it's doubtful.

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:59 am

Thanks man,

I have read about the headphone output having a stronger signal. I have noticed that if you use it judiciously it can help to beef up the signal.

It's a shame it doesn't work as in the original Mini.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:05 am

Have you checked out KnobTweaks information about the mix in and audio in patch cable routing?

I got some huge distortion by routing the mix out (ring tip style) back into itself plus the audio in. It's an odd configuration, but works great, just as good as the headphone trick.

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:11 am

Yes, I have.

When I route the signal from the headphones to the external audio in, I don't always get nasty noises. Past a certain amount I do, but if I keep it low, I can definitely hear some beef up.

When I route the signal from the left output, it's different. It's much less pronounced, I need to hit hard to get the same effect that I get with the headphone at low levels. Damn, it's a shame, because it really screams with delight, but there is also sonic garbage in.