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May 14, 2009 - 10:50am
#1
Two questions about the Bellari VP-530
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Well, since my posts elicited the questions...
First, what software are you using? If you're not using Audacity, try it to see if it'll recognize the input - it is free. I remember I had to poke around in Audacity to set the input correctly, but it didn't take too long. If you search forums related to the software (or just Google), you should find all you need. If you're still having trouble, let me know and I'll re-trace my steps (I'm not at my home computer right now, otherwise I would).
Since it is plug and play in Linux, I can't imagine it being much more difficult in OS X.
My understanding is that on/off switches add to the cost, and it doesn't hurt anything, so they don't include one. The Bellari does sound better after being on for a few minutes, but you don't need to leave it turned on all the time. Leaving it on won't hurt it, although it might slightly decrease the tube life. Feel free to unplug it when you aren't using it - I'd just plug it back in 5-20 minutes before use.
Taking the last first, fair enough. Given that my VP-530 plugs into an NAD integrated, I can't really take a stand against leaving features out. All I'll say is that I would have paid the extra ten bucks for the switch without blinking an eye.
As to the second, Audacity was one of the things I tried the first time around. As I recall, I was able to make a recording, but the recording seemed to be from my MacBook's own internal microphone, and I was unable switch to any other audio source. The truth is, I deleted the program in frustration.
That said, for various reasons I'd very much like to use Audacity for this purpose, and will certainly download it again and give it another try. (any Mac success stories out there?)
I like the program, and if your computer can "see" the Bellari, it should record from it just fine. The recordings and encoding I got from Audacity was top notch. As with any audio program, there are some things you have to get used to - how to mark tracks, knowing what you can do while the track is paused versus stopped, etc. I'd go straight to tutorials for these rather than try to figure it out yourself.
Again, let me know if you can't get Audacity to recognize the source. I'll take a look - the step should be similar.