Newbie mic question

[Albertm]

I have a AT3035 mic. Using Sonar 5 and Tascam 1082 interface.
I set mic up with Tascam Phantom power. With fader pushed to top, I Can't get a level above -15. And thats screaming with lips on mic. change the mic setting pad from -10db to db. I get a little more. I have to turn all other instruments down to hear any vocal. So doing soft vocals is out. To hear anything I have to trim all the way afterword, and then theres a slight hiss. I have to be doing something wrong. Getting the level near the red zone let alone in it is impossible. Why is the signal so weak? Thanks

[RandyW]

I have the FW1082 but don't use it much I don't have an AT3035 but I do have their 2020 and 4040. I bought my Tascam a couple months ago but only used it a few times before switching to a Vista system which Tascam doesn't support yet. Any way I did notice that the pres I tested seemed under powered but still quite functional. I believe there are 4 pres on it have you tried out all of them with this mic? If so then I would recommend some with a little more gain.
I can't recalll if thereis a boost in the software for the Tascam. I've been using a Motu 828MKII for Vista and I know it has a software boost which helps considerably for the stock pres. The pres are under power on Mout as well.
I guess my recommedation would be to get an external preamp for it. To me it seems like all the $500 and less pres are all about the same, I've been using the mic pres from an old from a 20 year old Carvin console and they sound great compared to the fore mentioned ones.

[RandyW]

I just checked mine. The only switch related to mics is the phantom power switch on the back of unit. Albert your only using the the trim control for the pre amp right. I know the volume fader has no effect at all on the gain in record mode so trying to raise it there does you no good. If you slap an expensive SP VTB1 on one of the 4 TRS line inputs you'll have all the gain you need. You can get one of the for $100 to $120 anywhere. That will get you by for a while then you can save up for the real deal which will cost about 10X more.

[Albertm]

Originally Posted by RandyW

I just checked mine. The only switch related to mics is the phantom power switch on the back of unit. Albert your only using the the trim control for the pre amp right. I know the volume fader has no effect at all on the gain in record mode so trying to raise it there does you no good. If you slap an expensive SP VTB1 on one of the 4 TRS line inputs you'll have all the gain you need. You can get one of the for $100 to $120 anywhere. That will get you by for a while then you can save up for the real deal which will cost about 10X more.

Actually it seems here that when I raise the fader, it does increse the volue?!?! The trim does nothing. Why is that I wonder.

Also for Timothy, there are no swtiches by the XLR. Where else do you think I could look for problem? Beside buying preamp. I believe the Phantom power should do what I need. Unless unit is not working. I will cal tascam in morning.

[XLR]

Have you read the manual? You can download it at the Tascam site.

BTW, bad idea to cross post. This is also in the Recording Techniques forum.

[Albertm]

Yea, no help. Will call. Reposted thinking some don't read all sections. Maybe get more ideas.

[Albertm]

RandyW, I stand corrected. The trim did help a fader didnt. Shows how much I know. But still had to crank trim to get anything. If calling tascam doesnt help I'm on the preamp raod. thanks all.

[Blue Groove]

Check the mic on another system with phantom power. The pre on the tascam unit should work.

If the mic works on another system, then it's the cable or the tascam, if it doesn't work then it's the mic.

You don't need to spend the money on a pre roght now, have the company fix the problem.