Recording Vocals: Knob Settings for Tascam US-122mkII

  • Thread starter Thread starter imchangbin
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imchangbin

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Hi All,

Total newbie here...I recently purchased a Tascam US-122 mk ii and I'm having some trouble recording with my mic. I'm able to record and hear my voice through Cubase but there is a lot of "hissing."

I followed the Tascam manual step by step however it does not mention how the knobs should be set. Currently, I only get an Input signal if I crank the input knob all the way to "Mic" w/ the Phantom switch on. If someone could explain how I should set the knobs that would be greatly appreciated....thanks!
 
Using a Tascam (TM-78) mic that came with the starter kit....yea I know, it's probably trash....but bad enough for a blatantly loud hissing?
 
moresound said:
Well do you have the mono button engaged?
Click to expand...

Yes I do.

Cubase is set to have a mono input while outputting a stereo sound. Doesn't really make a difference as I've tried swapping input/output settings and still receiving bad hissing.

As for my computer, my sound card has been disabled while the US-122 soundcard is active for both playback/recording.

Does the Monitor Mix knob need to be adjusted in anyway?
 
If you do mono with the mono button, you get an additional noise floor of a second preamp added to your mono track.
 
And I take it you don't have an other microphone to check and see if you are getting this noise with an other microphone?

And Phantom power is engaged?

And get away from cubase and down load Reaper as your DAW.
 
I turned off the mono button but kept the recording program to record as a mono input but I'm still getting a lot of noise. Can my computer be causing any issues? This may be a silly question seeing that the USB interface is a sound card itself...

EDIT: No other mic :-( and phantom is engaged. Tried using Audacity, getting same results.
 
Yes, the fan on the pc , the attic ac fan, anything can be amplified and sound like noise on your track.

I'm in a very harsh room right now and have this same issue of noise/hiss sound.
I also have a US122 and if the mic is a low output mic, the 122 preamp doesnt have a lot of gain, so this requires turning it up full blast and can add some "noise".


I would think your condenser mic is alright, what level gain are you at?

Turn everything off you can think of and see if it goes away.
For a test move the mic to another room if you can (away from your pc).
I just witnessed a hi-end preamp going to my 122 magnified a lot more issues in my room(which is hardfloor, drywall +glass, and not one bass trap or anything. I've actually had better mixes in a small room fixed up a bit than this big one thats zero-bass traps.

good luck....
 
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