Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!oakhill!craig
From: craig@oakhill.UUCP (Craig Shaw)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Hissing from tape recorders ?
Summary: ALC is for RECORDING
Message-ID: <3177@sol.oakhill.UUCP>
Date: 12 Apr 90 14:15:56 GMT
References: <3190@moondance.cs.uq.oz.au> <21000070@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Reply-To: craig@sol.UUCP (Craig Shaw)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Motorola Inc., Austin, Texas
Lines: 15

>that most recorders make use of an automatic volume control circuit.
>This is to take up part of the differences in record level from tape
>to tape.
>
  It has been my experience that automatic level control (ALC) is used
only to set RECORD level, not playback volume. This is a "feature" on the
cheap sets, and can cause tape saturation (when a sudden loud noise occurs)
and "breathing" (noise level modulation) when recording intermittent
conversation in a low backgroud-noise setting.

  If I'm wrong, I sure alert net-watchers will point this out [as I have :-) ].
-- 

I'M THE NRA.
Craig D. Shaw - MCU Systems Design (512)891-2245  Motorola Inc., Austin, TX.