Question about preamps

[patsy]

Stupid questions time again...

I record vocals on my computer and my current setup is:

mic: beta 58a
soundcard: M-Audio Audiophile 2496
preamp: ART Tube MP Studio

My question is: Is it normal that I have to turn the gain on my preamp right up and +20dB to get any decent levels?

This doesn't seem normal to me because the meter on the preamp hardly moves. And while the preamp does give a really good warm tone, the noise is unacceptably loud.

Is there something wrong with my setup? Is this mic not suitable for this preamp? Do I have a faulty preamp? Any help would be really appreciated!

Thanks.

[ssscientist]

There are both input and output level controls on your ART preamp.

At the maximum input settings there is, according to the markings on the front panel, +60 dB of gain available which should be enough to lift up the wimpiest microphone signal to a useable level.

I think the mistake you are making is not setting the input side of your preamp until the clip light comes on, then backing it off a little bit, then setting an appropriate output level.

[patsy]

Thanks for your reply!

I actually turn both input and output to their max and set my soundcard input to 0db.

Would you say it's possible I have a faulty preamp?

[ssscientist]

With all that apparent gain, be sure you're getting a signal from your microphone.

If you can, try a different mic cable and if the mic has an off/on switch on it make sure it's turned on.

Then you'll have the evidence you need to blame the preamp...

[patsy]

Nope, no on/off switch on mic.

I've tried different mics and different cables with the preamp all with the same result.

OK, thanks for confirming my suspicions. It's just that I've never owned a preamp before so really didn't know what to expect.

[ermghoti]

Turn the t00b blend all the way off, if you haven't already. It does pretty much nothing but noise up the signal.

[Minion]

Those Little Tube Pre amps (they are actually Solid state with a semi Tube Output stage) are not very good as the Tube doesn"t get enough power to drive it properly so it really just adds noise to the signal so turning the Tube Blend all the way down should give you less noise and a cleaner signal.....

Cheers

[patsy]

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately this little preamp doesn't have a variable tube blend thing. I think it's just fully on all the time.

But aside from the noise, should I need to turn all gain to their max to get, what I consider, normal levels? Cos I think that's what's boosting the noise.

[Minion]

It would Probably be best Noise wize to Keep the Gain as Low as Possible and try boosting the Volume in your Software useing a Plugin like a Compressor or any Volume boosting Plugin...

The more Gain you have the More Noise will be Introduced into the Signal so only turn up the Gain as Much as you need to and try boosting it in your software....

Cheers