Pairing a Sound Devices 302 with a Marantz PMD661

["kevincrossett" kevincrossett]

I recently purchased a Marantz PMD661 recorder to start exploring nature re=
cording, and recording in general. I have already discovered the disadvanta=
ge of not having a built-in limiter to protect against peaking. To solve th=
e problem, I purchased a Sound Devices 302. Now I am having trouble recordi=
ng a strong signal. I am using a Sennheiser me67 plugged into the left chan=
nel of the 302. The pan switch is positioned correctly. I have an XLR cable=
 running from the 302 to the left XLR jack on the Marantz, which is set to =
LINE LEVEL via the switch next to the cable connection. I was under the imp=
ression that the line level control bypassed the record level meter on the =
recorder, but I find I must nearly adjust the gain on the Marantz to get a =
signal.

Sorry for the newbie post, but is this normal?

I also have to adjust the gain trim on the 302 to the three o'clock positio=
n to get a good signal.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for any help.

Signed,

Confused