My mic isn't picking up my amp..

[PeaceSells]

I've been having problems with recording lately. My mic, a SM57, hardly picks up my amp. I turn the volume up, and i barely get anything. If I want it to be audible at all, I have to crank the output volume on my interface. So I cranked the volume up to 7 on my peavey classic 30, which is very loud (The walls began to shake around 3..), and still it barely picked up anything. When I first got the mic it picked up my amp fine. Any idea of what could be wrong? Nothing's set to the wrong thing on my interface, I've tried different USB ports, and i've moved my mic around. nothing has worked.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Are you using a pre or just the line in on your interface?

If you're using a pre (built in or otherwise), turn up the gain.

If you're not using a pre...you need to be.

 

[PeaceSells]

there's a pre-amp built in. it's a cheap one apparently, but it's still something. and yeah i have to turn the input gain way up for it to pick it up at all..

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Something is wrong, then. Could be the mic...could be the pre. Have you tried the mic with a different pre? Into a PA, perhaps? Have you tried a different mic into the same pre?

You shouldn't be getting whisper volumes from a mic with the input on the pre cranked.

What interface is it, anyway?

 

[carlosguardia]

Are you using a good XLR cable? Are you using a cable with an XLR Female to a 1/4" T/S connection (1/8")?

 

[PeaceSells]

Something is wrong, then. Could be the mic...could be the pre. Have you tried the mic with a different pre? Into a PA, perhaps? Have you tried a different mic into the same pre?

I don't have any other mics (apart from a crappy walmart one..) or pre amps, so i haven't.

it's a fast track pro, btw

Are you using a good XLR cable? Are you using a cable with an XLR Female to a 1/4" T/S connection (1/8")?

It should be a good cable. It's a Monster cable.

I believe so..It's the one that i'm supposed to use, anyway haha

 

[dementedchord]

well maybe it finally happened....

most think it's impossible to roach a 57...

 

[gecko zzed]

process of information

you have several items in the chain that goes from amp to PC

1 Mike
2 mike cable
3 USB interface
4 USB cable
5 PC

From what I gather, you've previously had no problem getting a good signal, and now with the same set up, you are getting only a weak signal.

You've also said that your USB interface is set correctly.

Because you are getting some signal, and not nothing, I expect that the USB cable is ok, because you would get nothing at all if it wasn't.

That leaves the mike, its cable, and the PC.

As someone else implied, SM57s are pretty strong, so for the moment let's assume it works.

A new cable is the cheapest component, so it's worth getting hold of another and trying that out. A spare cable always comes in handy anyway. If a new cable fixes things, then you know it was the cable. If not, then we need to look at the mike and the PC

Have you inadvertently changed the input level settings on the sound card somehow? (Actually, you should really try this first!).

Can you take the mike and lead to someone else's place to check them out?

 

[Paj]

well maybe it finally happened....

most think it's impossible to roach a 57...

Urban Myth. Yes, you can hammer nails with the casing and repel holding on to the XLR end, but a 4-ft header on that floating/rotating head, even onto a carpeted floor, will snap the wires on the cartridge and result in a $70 repair. I have a 40+ years-old SM57, on it's third cartridge. Tough, very tough---not invulnerable.

Paj
8^)

 

[dementedchord]

i was being faecetious...

 

[PhilGood]

Take the mic with you to a bar that has an open mic night.

If you get booed, then the mic is working fine!