Mic problem.

My key

New member
Hi
I could use a bit of advice.
I've started out home recording with a Tascam 414 mk 11,
and really enjoying myself, however...I recently bought a Shure
SM 57 mic for vocals and acoustic guitar and I've run into problems.
Basically, I have to push the trim all the way up and set the mic 1 inch
from the guitar to get...not very much at all!

I'm assuming this is some kind of impedence issue, although I've tried
an XLR to XLR directly into the Tascam ( I thought this would fix it )
still with no joy.

Any advice would be well received.

My key.
 
My key said:
Hi
I could use a bit of advice.
I've started out home recording with a Tascam 414 mk 11,
and really enjoying myself, however...I recently bought a Shure
SM 57 mic for vocals and acoustic guitar and I've run into problems.
Basically, I have to push the trim all the way up and set the mic 1 inch
from the guitar to get...not very much at all!

I'm assuming this is some kind of impedence issue, although I've tried
an XLR to XLR directly into the Tascam ( I thought this would fix it )
still with no joy.

Any advice would be well received.

My key.

Dynamic mics, like the sm57, generally require a lot of gain (moreso than condenser mics). They also respond best to close miking situations. How does the mic sound on your vocals? If you are having problems there as well, you may have a bad mic, bad cable, or bad preamp in your tascam. If vocals are o.k., it's probably just that the 57 really isn't ideal for miking an acoustic guitar (though I've heard of people having some success doing it). Adding an external preamp might help boost the signal more before going into the tascam. You might also look into an inexpensive condenser mic. Condensers generally sound better on acoustic than dynamics and typically don't require quite as much gain. If you get a condenser, you'll want to make sure you have phantom power available (I don't know if the 414 has it).
 
Hi

Thanks for replying.

It's pretty much the same on vocals.
Obviously a bad choice of mic. I'm fingerpicking blues with an
alternating bass and I thought the the SM 57 might give me less
bass although I'm damping it with the palm of my hand.
I have to say I've got some great results going straight in with the
pickup, obviously not much good when I want to make it more acoustic.

It looks like I'm going to have to get a condensor mic. As far as I know
the Tascam has no Phantom power.

My key.
 
It might be a problem with that mic or the pre in the Tascam. I have never had that kind of problem with a 57 that was working properly. Unless you have a very quiet guitar and are wispering your vocals, it is aequipment problem.
 
Hi

Well I guess we're narrowing it down.
The guitar is loud and I wouldn't say my vocals are quiet.

I tried a cheap and nasty mic and it worked o.k.
It may well be the Shure then.

My key.
 
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