Rockbox Technical Forums

Support and General Use => Recording => Topic started by: zorton on March 10, 2007, 09:00:54 PM

Title: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: zorton on March 10, 2007, 09:00:54 PM
After reading a bit on the other thread about the possibility of recording on the nano I decided to give it a test via the line-in connection on the dock connector.  I soldered up pins 1 and 5 according the pinout listed here (http://www.ipodlinux.org/Dock_Connector) to a wire stub.  I connected the stubs to my receiver headphone output for the right channel only.  

Hitting record resulted in  this  (http://home.jtan.com/~zorton/testing/RockBox-iPod_Nano-Line_in_test.wav.zip) file.  At first I had the volume pretty low and slowly brought it up until I saw a read on the level meter in the record application.  Towards the end I wahwahed the level around a bit, not sure why it just seemed fun.  The OS was pretty well locked up after recording and I had to hard restart the iPod to get it back to disk mode to copy the file off.  It might have been something simple like me not knowing the proper key combination to exit the recorder though :)  The file is just a zipped and renamed copy of the wav I copied from the nano.

This (http://home.jtan.com/~zorton/testing/RockBox-iPod_Nano-Line_in_36dB.mp3) file I cranked through audacity adding a 36dB boost and trimming it down to a good chunk of Kelly Joe's song.

I think if I had gain adjustment on the recorder I could probably get the level adjusted for a cleaner copy.  I'm doubting this is crosstalk and is indicative of the ADC line-in functioning mostly like it should but i'll leave it up to the developers of this great little chunk of firmware to decide. I didn't push the receiver output very much.  I also didn't take the time to measure the RMS voltage on the reciever output but I could easily do that for a second test if anyone would like to.

So long and thanks for the firmware,
Zorton

Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: gnu on March 11, 2007, 12:01:28 PM
I don't have a dock connector, but could you try how loud the record is when you input a normal line in volume? Or do you have to heavily amp your input to get a *hearable* result?

Good that you tested it, because I wanted to buy a dock connector just to test it myself...
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: scorche on March 11, 2007, 03:09:11 PM
It definitely sounds like it was successful.  Thanks for testing.  (You don't have to send me a dongle anymore, Soap)  ;)
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: zorton on March 11, 2007, 05:45:28 PM
Okay,

I soldered and glued up the dock connector i'd been using for testing and tried recording again with a full sterio signal from my Powerbook into a clean connector.

In short it works just fine.  Using Tool's 10,000 days album for a test signal I recorded the  following  (http://home.jtan.com/~zorton/testing/Rockbox-iPod_Nano-Line_in_success.wav.zip) file.  I set output volume on the powerbook's headphone jack to 40% which according to Apple's "Audio Midi Setup" app is -25.82dB down from full output.

I dropped channel one for about 5 seconds then channel two a few later to test my connections and to make sure it was recording properly in stereo.

I still have to reboot the OS before I can do audio playback but it looks like the line-in connections from the dock to the ADC on the Nano works just fine.

Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: gnu on March 22, 2007, 11:51:25 AM
Today I got my "original" *cough* dock connector from ebay, I opened it and soldered the necessary cables to pins 1, 5 and 6 - AND IT WORKS!
I get a fine stereo signal with a reasonable volume; in short I can verify zorton's experience.

Man this rocks!
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod Vieo via line-in on dock connector
Post by: LurkAzusa on March 24, 2007, 03:56:01 PM
I can also confirm that recording works on the iPod Video 5g 60 Gb (once I figured out the right ground pin, duh!).  I used powered mics.  Are there any plans to develop all the options currently available for the iRiver series, such as Automatic Gain Control and peak meter height?

I checked the online manual for the iPod Video, but couldn't readily find any info on navigation for changing the volume and gain settings in the recording screen.  Anyone have instructions?

Without any mics or dock connector attached, there is some right channel noise present.  It also picks it up when recording.  Does this also happen with the Nano?
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: damaru on May 10, 2007, 02:59:28 PM
Anyone tryed these readily available connector ? :

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connadpt.htm

seems well made !
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: petur on May 11, 2007, 01:59:18 AM
Anyone tryed these readily available connector ? :

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connadpt.htm

seems well made !

for only $39.90  -  hahaha now you know why you bought an ipod, so you can pay lots more for all its custom stuff. Apple sure knew what it was doing when it put that special dock connector in their player: consumer lock-in :)
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: soap on May 11, 2007, 03:37:59 PM
Anyone tryed these readily available connector ? :

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connadpt.htm

seems well made !
It's less than $4 worth of parts, how much is your time worth to you?
http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connector.htm
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: bpw on March 06, 2008, 12:31:25 PM
An easy way to record in stereo with a decent sound quality onto a nano 2g or 3g, or an ipod video is with a 'Griffin italk' approx £30 from official website, £15 (plus P&P) from ebay. Does not work with nano 1st Gen (please someone prove me wrong on that!)

It does mean you don't get to play with a soldering iron, but I know some opera singers in training who swear by its sound quality and ease of use.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Chronon on March 11, 2008, 08:06:56 PM
Can you verify that this device works with a Rockboxed 5g (or 5.5g) iPod?  Please don't discuss peripherals that only work with the Apple firmware.  These are Rockbox technical forums, not general iPod forums.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: domwebhost on October 07, 2008, 05:28:08 PM
The ITALK PRO does NOT work with the current build ( or any build ) of ROCKBOX that I have tried.  When the ITALK PRO is plugged into the dock connector and you go to RECORD settings and pick "microphone or line - in" and go back to the record screen the Peak meters are just frozen about 3/4 of the way up.  When you try to record all you get is a blank file.  I have also tried using an external mic in the 3.5mm jack provided on the ITALK and that doesn't work, either.  I must say that it works GREAT in the native Apple firmware, however it ONLY records in WAV format and it is a MB-sucker.  I am under the impression that developers are looking into accessory compatibility ( at least a thread I found dated Jan 2008 they were).  However, that is the last I saw of it.  I bought an ITALK PRO in hopes to use it on my IPOD VIDEO 5.5g 30g w/ Rockbox.  It doesn't work so I am stuck using APPLE firmware, dumping to PC, re-encode to mp3, and shoot back :(

Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: saratoga on October 09, 2008, 11:41:03 PM
I am under the impression that developers are looking into accessory compatibility ( at least a thread I found dated Jan 2008 they were). 


Search.  Theres been lots of recent work on this.  No need to post asking other people to find it for you.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: desordenado on November 03, 2008, 07:50:55 PM
Hi Zorton (et al),

I got my 1st Gen Nano to record through the dock connector. Thanks a lot, I have been looking for this for a long time.

I have mentioned it in my blog, BTW:
http://blog-desorden.blogspot.com/2008/11/1st-gen-ipod-nano-line-in-recording.html

Thanks again for all the info
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: soap on November 03, 2008, 07:59:16 PM
I have mentioned it in my blog, BTW:
http://blog-desorden.blogspot.com/2008/11/1st-gen-ipod-nano-line-in-recording.html
I thought the "recording breaks playback, necessitating reboot" bug was fixed?
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: desordenado on November 04, 2008, 03:36:40 AM
I might have an old version of the software
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: saratoga on November 04, 2008, 03:46:18 AM
I might have an old version of the software

We'd appreciate it if you didn't blog about bugs that were fixed 2 months ago.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: desordenado on November 04, 2008, 06:09:20 AM
I have mentioned in the blog that this might be fixed in newer versions of the software, however I will not claim it is fixed until I test it and even then will leave a warning for possible users of old versions of RockBox.

sorry about that
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Llorean on November 04, 2008, 06:14:43 AM
Instead of warnings for older users, why not tell people not to use pre-release versions in the first place?

Also, you say "this might be fixed" according to Rockbox forum people. The forum people told you it IS fixed. According to us, it's fixed. If you want to present it clearly, "The people in the Rockbox forum say it's fixed, but I haven't tested it yet, so will not verify this at this time." or similar.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Spoonman on March 16, 2009, 09:08:37 AM
thanx guys, bought a ipod charging set for 12,99 Euro incl sending just to get a doc connector and soldered a chinch cable to pin 2, 5 and 6, tested the recording by connecting to the line-out of a pioneer cdj-100 and viola, perfect recording quality!!!

hail rockbox!!!!
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: iPodFoo on June 12, 2009, 09:32:03 AM
If anyones interested, i did a blog on making an all-in-one recording and line-out dock connector.

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5_JXziV9Ro/SjJAp450e1I/AAAAAAAAALc/LXgP6ChT3-M/s320/FinalResult.jpg) (https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5_JXziV9Ro/SjJAp450e1I/AAAAAAAAALc/LXgP6ChT3-M/s320/FinalResult.jpg)

Have a wee gander here: https://modprojects.blogspot.com/2018/03/ipod-build-adapter-for-line-recording.html?m=1 (https://modprojects.blogspot.com/2018/03/ipod-build-adapter-for-line-recording.html?m=1)

I would have posted a tut on this forum, but didnt want to have to do it all again.

Hope its of use to you guys.  ;D
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Chronon on June 12, 2009, 01:28:40 PM
Neat.  How is the sound quality?  Any problems on the Nano similar to what's reported in FS#6989?
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: iPodFoo on June 12, 2009, 04:37:58 PM
I didnt notice any problems but I was intrigued and did a spectral analysis of a blank recording and did find something. Ive posted the image on that FS#6989 you mentioned.

Its not the same as what everyone else seemed to have. There's some kind of "blipping" on the Left channel. Its inaudible as its in the -70 range. But if its not a hardware problem, it would be nice if this could be fixed. ;D

Edit 1:
The "blipping" described above looks more like the bug described on FS#4937.

Edit 2: PS. Is'nt there supposed to be audio coming though the headphones while recording?

I tested my dock thingy by watching the peak bars move, I didnt realise theres no sound from headphones while in Recording. The resulting recorded file is fine.  :-\
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 20, 2011, 04:28:50 PM
I know this is an old thread, but I am also wondering why there is no audio at the headphone jack when recording on the Nano 1g.

I was hoping that (FS#11559) might fix this, but no.

I am using a Nano 1g with r29093-110119.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: saratoga on January 20, 2011, 04:31:49 PM
I know this is an old thread, but I am also wondering why there is no audio at the headphone jack when recording on the Nano 1g.

You can only do one or the other in rockbox.  I think some hardware can theoretically do both, but no one has implemented support for it (and I have no idea if the nano1g even supports that).
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 20, 2011, 05:20:19 PM
OK.  Thanks, saratoga.  I was afraid that maybe it was me.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 24, 2011, 08:55:53 AM
So, then, what does the enhancement of 2010-10-24 ("Make iPod fm remote work on iPod nano 1G by enabling line-in monitoring...") actually do?  It sounds like it should allow me to monitor the line-in via the headphone jack.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: torne on January 24, 2011, 11:11:55 AM
Monitoring line-in while *not* recording works fine.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 24, 2011, 11:17:25 AM
OK, thanks!  I understand.  I'll have to try that.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 31, 2011, 08:18:07 AM
I have no audio at the headphone jack when on the recording screen.  There is audio at the line-in, and the level bars are moving.  Increasing the volume does nothing.  There is no change if I am actually recording or not.  The audio records just fine.

I am using a Nano 1g with r29140-110126.

This is not a problem for me, but I thought you might want to know.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Recording Guy on January 31, 2011, 05:05:09 PM
That is interesting to know, as I was under the assumption that the Nano had the same internals as an Iriver H10..Wolfson chip in particular:

http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/codecs/WM8731/

And thanks to Rockbox the H10 does monitor whilst recording and in record standby mode.

The blipping may have something to do with a switchable ADC high pass filter, which is detailed in the Wolfson Manual, but that is just a guess.
 
Quote  "The WM8371 has a selectable High Pass filter to remove DC offsets."
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on January 31, 2011, 06:16:58 PM
I never noticed any "blipping," and am quite happy with the recording.  I just wanted to pass along my observations.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: Recording Guy on February 02, 2011, 06:06:13 PM
Fair enough.
 
Actually it was someone else mentioned the "blipping" in this thread.

I got the codec wrong. The sound chip in the Nano 1st is Wolfson WM 8975G.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/6219/nano21modcu3.jpg
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: fermincab on February 25, 2011, 04:48:46 PM
It works great to me, on my ipod nano 1g!
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: RockBoxFan on February 28, 2011, 08:00:00 AM
Wow, really?  So, you have audio at the headphone while you are on the recording screen?  I assume there is no audio when you are actually recording, but only when NOT recording, correct?

I am using a Nano 1g, with 2Gig.  I wonder if there is a hardware difference.
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: fermincab on March 03, 2011, 08:12:23 PM
The audio doesn't work when i am recording.
I tested soldering the + power pin (i think it was 22, i dint remember) to the + part of the jack, to record with a normal microphone (without amp) and it worked but very low. I dint know anything about electronic, perhaps there is a better way to get i.
Excuse my terrible English, i think you understand me  ???
Title: Re: Recording test on iPod nano via line-in on dock connector
Post by: W00fer on March 07, 2012, 04:47:09 PM
I have no audio in both recording mode and while not recording on headphone.

iPod Photo 30GB.