hey there,

i'm running 1/8" out of my macbook into the rca inputs on the sp-555. when i try to record a sample, the quality ends up being pretty rubbish. it crackles a bit and is unusable.

the line in level isn't peaking.... i've tried multiple cables, including a brand new one, and i'm using quality mp3s, including stuff bought from the itunes music store.

hopefully, i'm just doing something idiotically wrong... hopefully i don't have a faulty sp-555.

what advice can you guys give me?

is it possible to sample usb out from my macbook into the usb of the sp-555?

update: i believe my rca output may be sounding crappy as well. it's got a subtle static-y sound to it.

what are you playing the sound from. is it like a regular mp3 player like windows media or something similar. if so then i dont know what. try running something else like a cd player or an ipod the same way to your line in. and if all of the sources sound the same then its your 555. trial and error. maybe even get a usb and try to sample with that and dig even deeper into the situation. thats all the help i got. was it a used 555.

It's alot easier to sample from USB input and it's probably going to sound better too (digital vs D/A conversion + A/D conversion).

in that case, i'd like to try sampling with the usb input... but how do i get my macbook to output audio via the usb cable? i have it hooked up to the sp-555, but i can't figure out how to get a signal.

sorry for these dumb questions!

Manual, page 40 - instructions for installing the driver and changing the signal flow of the USB audio (in and out).

If you have the driver installed already, then just hit Cancel + Ctrl 3, turn it to "On" and you're good to go.

if you go through usb your prolly gonna have to have software to set the audio settings to the sp555 and play the mp3's through that program. i dont know many media players that do that, beatmaking software does. but if your not a computer head then staying away from a computer be a good idea. the quality aint that much better but if your a lofi or a grunge head then getting good quality samples to perfection aint really that big a deal. and its something satisfying about sampling through your good ol red and whites that through a usb cable. but you might wanna figure that rca shit out since cde players and turntables dont come with usb hook ups, well crappy turntables do but you know what i mean.

shouldn't be the macbook itself's fault, I get no noise on my built in soundcard besides a tiny bit - inaudible. (but thats on the line in, not the output).

Have you tried unplugging the wall charger from the macbook? sometimes i get a low hum because of that (caused by the way my wall sockets/circuits/other powered objects/etc are configured/plugged in).
Also crackling could be due to some kind of interference.. hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, running the line near power cords, clothes dryers, power tools, etc - anywhere within a distance of a few rooms or so of where you are, or something plugged in on the same circuit perhaps...

hmm usually rca quality is really good

maybe the cables are old..

are they split into separate cables for white and red?

without reiterating there are many many factors to come into play but i doubt its the a/d d/a or the 555 itself. usb recognition should be nearly automatic on a mac btw