Re: Kona LSe audio level problem?

simple fix - use an audio mixer on the front end of the Kona LSe (like everyone else in the world does). If you take the -10dB output of a camcorder or consumer Sony VTR (like a DSR-11), the audio levels will appear LOW in FCP. You use a mixer to boost up these levels to +4dBu. If you have PROFESSIONAL VTR's like Beta 1800's, etc., these (with XLR connectors) put out +4dBu signals, and you should be able to get matching audio levels in FCP with the Kona products (and every other brand of capture card). The problem of inputting analog audio without a mixer - even with "pro" VTR's is PEAK DISTORTION, because if the audio level goes hot (on a Beta VTR for example), you can't attenuate the signal without a mixer. Mixers are VERY VERY INEXPENSIVE these days (under $300), so there is no excuse not to use one. Modern VTR's (like Digi Beta, Beta SX, HD VTR's, etc.) use embedded audio, that brings in the audio signal via the video path (using the SDI inputs), so you don't have to deal with this.

It won't kill you to buy a mixer. I can only assume (since you did not put down details of your system), that your audio sources have RCA jacks on them, and you are using some sort of RCA to XLR converter to get these audio sources into the Kona LSe (just my assumption, based on a lack of info).

Bob Zelin