I've just started here and I am also in the process of building up a low-end but usable sound package. I have an Azden FMX-42a 4-channel field mixer along with a Zoom H4n recorder.
Something perplexes me on the mixer. If I have nothing attached to it's output channels and I press the 1 kH tone button, the VU meters read at 0 volume units (100%), which is normal. If I then attach my XLR cables to the output, and the output is set on Mic or Line, everything is still hunky dory. But, if I add an attenuator anywhere on the XLR cable, the VU meters will drop down to around -3 volume units (70%).
I will then get further drops if I connect into the H4n recorder on Line output, whether or not I attach an attenuator, but not if I set output to Mic.
It just seems odd to me that I would see these kind of VU drops during the 1 kH tone from the mixer because of equipment down the audio chain. Is this normal mixer behavior?
Thanks for any help.
Something perplexes me on the mixer. If I have nothing attached to it's output channels and I press the 1 kH tone button, the VU meters read at 0 volume units (100%), which is normal. If I then attach my XLR cables to the output, and the output is set on Mic or Line, everything is still hunky dory. But, if I add an attenuator anywhere on the XLR cable, the VU meters will drop down to around -3 volume units (70%).
I will then get further drops if I connect into the H4n recorder on Line output, whether or not I attach an attenuator, but not if I set output to Mic.
It just seems odd to me that I would see these kind of VU drops during the 1 kH tone from the mixer because of equipment down the audio chain. Is this normal mixer behavior?
Thanks for any help.
