quick question

[blakkboy]

i have my system riged up so that my speakers act as my microphone. when i start to record though the sound volume is alot lower then what i expected it to be. i would really like some help as to boost my sound without transforming it in the drop down menu. if some one has any help i would appreciate it alot.

[chrisharris]

UUmmmmmm...I need a little better explanation. If your "speakers" are your "microphone," I'd be amazed if you could record anything other than massive feedback.

Help me out here...b/c I'm obviously missing something.

[blakkboy]

the computer that i use now recordes off the same sound card that playbacks the recording. the sound card i have now is a creative sound blaster audiopci 128 (wdm) in case that helps

[DS_Sultan]

Still, saying that your speakers are your mic makes no sense. You have the speakers hooked up to the line out of the sound card, and a mic or other input device to the mic or line in of the sound card right? Otherwise your never gonna get a level in that means anything.

Describe what it is you are trying to do.. if it is just record a level, you need a mic or a guitar plugged into a mixer, not a speaker.

[blakkboy]

my soundcard has a mic input and that is being occupied by my speakers.

[Meshuggah]

..and your mic is connected to the line-out?

[blakkboy]

i dont have a mic i record with my speakers....... i guess i should of said that instead of my speakers are my mic

[chrisharris]

The picture is becoming somewhat clearer now, but yet, more amazing as it progresses.

Here's my 2 cents. Speakers are not meant to be used as microphones. I don't know if it's a polarity problem, an OHM thing, or if it's as simple as "speakers are speakers and microphones aren't." I know this, you can get a Shure SM 57 or 58 for under $100, and you'd never HAVE to buy another microphone again. This probably isn't the answer you were looking for, but it's the right answer.

keep going,
-chris

[blakkboy]

^^^^ and im sure that it would help out my low volume level too. now if i get a shure sm58, would i need to get a mic pre-amp so that it would boost the volume up or is it not needed, just plug directly into line in and start recording?

[chrisharris]

You don't HAVE to have a preamp (or phantom power, for that matter) for the mic to work. Actually, I didn't use a mic pre when I was recording with my 58, because you can scream into the thing without getting significant distortion, and....(I'll shut up now...quick answer = you can plug it right in...with an adapter, of course...well, actually, probably 2 adapters. You'll have to plug the 3 pronged "XLR" output of the mic into a mic cable (no adapter necessary), then you have to make the mic cable go down to a 1/4 in. (adapter needed), then from the 1/4 in. down to an 1/8 in. so it can go into your soundcard.

BTW-if you happen to find one adapter that goes from the XLR down to 1/8 in., let me know where you found it...I've been looking for one for years.


chris

[blakkboy]

hahah ill do that for ya. thanx alot




pc. could you give me a rough estimate of what all that would cost? just thought i would like to know

[chrisharris]

here's an example for the mic

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...item=897841174

You can get a 10 ft. mic cable for around $12.00.

The adapters are prolly $5 apiece.

Rock On,
-chris

[blakkboy]

aiight man thanx for all your help i appreciate it alot. PEACE