From: crystal@glia.biostr.washington.edu (Crystal)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.audio
Subject: PerfectSound 3 problem  :<
Date: 5 Jan 93 01:44:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: glia.crystal.726198247
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: glia.biostr.washington.edu


These are 2 posts I placed on a BBS and so far have gotten no answers.  I've
edited it slightly, so if you think you have already read this, please look 
again.  There may be more info here that can shed some light on the problem. 
Can anyone help? 
(Constructive help, please, no condescending criticism, thank you) ;>

I have a 2000HD with 1mg agnus/2mg Fast.

I created some voice files of myself for use with MultiClock, and DID have the
following problem *briefly* using the RCA jacks with the line-out jack on a
CD/tape player earlier, but NOT with the microphone.  Now, I can't get any
sampling to work at all via either method. :<

The microphone I used for the voice samples is about 18 years old.  It was an
expensive one for its time. (approx 50$ in 1974)  It is a cardioid condenser,
600 ohm.  It uses one AA battery and has NO on/off switch.  This lack of a 
switch has never posed a problem for any of my other audio equipment over the
years. (and my Xhusband, who is always borrowing it, never has complained...)          
Ok, that sets the stage.  In the Animan docs I read that it doesn't like to be
used with a mic that is constantly on.  It gets confused listening for signals
forever.  Ok, so I decided not to install Animan.  No problem.  However:

Because I hate plugging and unplugging things while the computer is on, and
because I have been planning more voice files, I left the mic plugged into the
Perfect Sound module (as well as the RCA plugs).  The mic has been sitting,
unused, for barely 1 week, plugged into the PS3 module, essentially "on" for
all practical purposes.  (Though exactly what "on" means, in this case, I
haven't a clue since there is no switch for it to be "off")

Well, tonight I attempted to sample something (and this problem occurs with
both the mic and the RCA :<).  I am able to monitor the sounds all right and
set the gain and get the tape in the right place, but as soon as I hit the left
mouse button to start recording, it decides I am FINISHED sampling after barely
a SECOND, and the requestor to give a filename for the non-existent sample shows
up. :<   Now there really IS a sample...a friend of mine clearing his throat, or
me in a partial word, but it ended prematurely.    

And yes, I DID unplug the mic before trying to record through the RCA jacks.

So, the question: Did leaving a microphone in a perpetually "on" state mess up
my module?  My 8520 chip?  Or the PerfectSound 3 software itself?  I will
reinstall the software tomorrow after an errand, but I was wondering if any of
you might be able to shed some light on what I just may have *stupidly* done?

*sigh*


OK, the Followup BBS post, after I played with some things:
-----------------------------------------------------------

Well, the 8520 chip seems to be fine - the DigiView works. 

I reloaded the PS3 program from the original disk.  NOPE...  Same problem.
Looks like maybe I messed up the module itself?  Yet, it DOES give me decent
sound, it just won't let me make it of any decent LENGTH. ;<

Last night when I first discovered the problem, it told me I had 800K in memory
to play with.  Then I rebooted and it told me I had 1024K  (and then later in
the same session told me I had 1064K available) (?) In all cases, I had already
deleted the sample in memory before taking note of this number.

After reinstalling the software and running it after yet another "fresh" boot.
(actually powered down completely so I could unplug the DigiView module) it
gave 1000K available.  :<  Something obviously is -QUITE- confused.

I also noticed, under View Signal Levels, that the left and right channels had
numbers changing wildly, up and down, and NOTHING WAS BEING RUN THROUGH THE
RCA jacks, and the Mic was unplugged! (?)   Eventually, they settled down to
both reading  128 OR 132  (identical numbers in both channels)

The manual doesn't mention this problem (at least not that I can find) and it
suggests that I try the hardware on another Amiga. Great!  I don't *have*
another Amiga...and I only know of one kid who has one, a 1000 - which this
won't run on without an adapter.  (And I don't know him anyway, he's the son of
a person I also don't know well in my Calligraphy club...)  The "dealers" in
the area do not have Amiga's on display.  Just software (and those in for
repairs).  *sigh*  There is a user group meeting on the 24th of January that
I will attend and see what I can find out... but as I recall from previous
meetings, there was no one with my configuration.  They seemd to be just 500's
and game freeaks. :<  (and a couple of 3000's for the -serious- game freaks) ;>

There is also no mention in the manual of either:

1) the importance of using a mic with an on/off switch (or even IF it is 
   important)

2) recommended Ohm output of said mic (or even styles/reception patterns)

3) whether simultaneous usage of RCA and mic jacks are possible or detrimental
   to the hardware (either to the module or to the 8520 chip)

4) whether everything should be unplugged after use... 

5) Whether it is safe or not to plug/unplug mic or RCA connectors into module
   while the computer is running.  (I ALWAYS POWER DOWN BEFORE SWITCHING ANY
   CABLES OF ANY SORT)

The manual *does* suggest to check Tandy/Radio Shack for microphones and says
that the more expensive ones will likely give better quality sound.  My mic is
an expensive Radio Shack mic.  And the current crop of them at our local store
all have batteries and on/off switches in all price ranges, and all are 600 ohm.


'Tis a mystery...

Has anyone else had this problem of PS3 refusing to sample more than a second
of data??  What causes it and how is it solved?  And the fact that the problem
occurred BEFORE I ever plugged the microphone in, (I had to borrow it back from
my X again :> ) has me questioning whether the mic really IS the problem or not?

Thanks,
Crystal
  ;>