Mic level question - dynamic vs condenser

[akpcep]

Hi All, I'm new here.

My setup is SM58>Seasound Solo>Duron 1.1ghz 512mb ram>Cubase VST

I'm going pretty well, got a pod pro for guitars which sounds excellent, just bought a behringer composer pro XL which I've plugged into the Solo's preamp insert using an insert cable and it seems to be compressing/gating/limiting etc as it should do.

My question is - using the SM58 to record vocals I have to whack the input level right up on the solo and almost turn the trim knob to max just to get enough signal into the PC. Is this just because it's a dynamic mic as opposed to a condenser? I am planning on getting a decent condenser mic shortly - does their use of phantom power give them more "output"? Or am I doing something wrong? Even if I take the composer pro out of the chain, the input signal from the SM58 seems to be very weak.

Thanks in advance for any help!

- Alex

[TexRoadkill]

Dynamics generally do put out a lower level than Condensors but the quality will always be limited by the Preamp. Better preamps offer higher gain with lower noise and distortion.

[akpcep]

Thanks for your reply Tex.

So you reckon it's pretty normal for me to have to almost max out the trim and level to get a workable signal?

[NYMorningstar]

Howdy akpcep, welcome to the board. I suspect that you need to check the recording level in the mixer section on your computer. If you were monitoring while you were recording you may have turned this down to avoid feedback or it may be set low for any number of reasons. You shouldn't need to max out the trim on your pre to get a decent signal because that would tend to raise the noise floor.
If that doesn't work, try the mic through a different preamp to try to narrow down the signal problem. G/L

[akpcep]

Thanks for the welcome, and your reply NYMorningStar.

I don't think it can be a computer setting - the Solo has an LED that indicates when the signal is of a good strength (and turns red when clipping is about to occur) and this doesn't light until the trim and level are almost maxed.

It's most peculiar, I've tried a few of my dynamic mics through both preamps on the Solo and it's the same. The line level outputs of the Solo seem to be of sufficient level mind you.

I've just bought a SP B1, so when I get hold of that I suppose I can try that and see if it rectifies the problem, but I'd be surprised if a condenser mic would kick out THAT much more output.

Anyone else had a similar scenario?

[TexRoadkill]

Originally posted by akpcep
So you reckon it's pretty normal for me to have to almost max out the trim and level to get a workable signal?

On cheaper preamps with a dynamic mic that is pretty common.