aardvark 24/96 question

  • Thread starter Thread starter amix
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amix

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My sensitive condenser mic (RodeNT1) clipped even on the lowest possible (it seemed to me) settings for mic1 and mic2. But the manual sez don't use lin for miking -- though I did, and it worked! (I guess it sounded ok, haven't yet set up checking on stereo speakers.)

What's up with those presets? What's the best way to mic fairly loud stuff (drums, loud voc & guitar)?

I have another question about patchbay. Or rather, I don't get it at all. I know I have to fiddle with it b.c. when I hit "record FX" (which granted, maybe I won't wanna do) no input levels go to Cakewalk. Levels work if I don't try to record FX.

Tankya,
Amix
 
A condenser mic (or any mic) won't work with Line In. And never, never, never use the Mic In. It SUCKS! That's true, it really is that bad.

You should get a mic.preamp and with a Røde NT1, you could justify getting a good one. But even a small mixer would do a better job than the Mic In. And it's much easier to control the gain! :)
 
As a condensor mic, the Rode NT-1 also needs phantom power to operate.

The signal out of the mic with no phantom power applied to it is nil. If the Mic inputs on your soundcard were overdriven and the Line In worked, well, you must not be telling us something here. Like, what do you have the Rode plugged into before the soundcard?

If it's coming out of a mixer or preamp it's already a line level signal, hence the Line In is the appropriate input on the soundcard. The Mic inputs are for those cheap plastic mics that often come bundled with the soundcard, and they incorporate a preamp. Therfore a line level signal on the input will typically overdrive the preamp since it's designed to handle the very small mic level signal from those little mics.
 
Wait, excuse me, I blew it... I was thinking Audiophile 2496, but you're talking about the Aardvark unit, which has mic preamps with phantom power.

Now, unless I have the model wrong, the DirectPro 2496 has four "universal inputs. " From the website description:

"Our clever inputs will accept any XLR Mic input or 1/4" Line input with a 3-stage analog trim adjustment of up to 70 dB (that's more than a mixer!). This lets you go directly from any microphone right into the Direct Pro 24/96..."

It also has 48 Vdc, 40 mA phantom power. There's a switch to engage/disengage it.

Looks like the Aardvark software control panel is where you tell it how to set the "3-stage analog trim adjustment" they mention. Did you play with that?
 
Thanks Al(l)

Thanks -- yep, pre-amp and phantom power built-in to Aardvark; so I should hit "lin" preset? I'm gonna check on config'ing it like you said, too.

BTW, I've been playing just a bit softer and with things like fingerpicking not getting bad results with the mic setting. Is there anything fundamentally wrong with doing that -- pre-amp and then mic setting input?
 
I use a CAD condenser mic with my 24/96 and it works fine. Make sure that you use phantom power and do not try to mic anything else when you are using it because it may damage the mic or unit. It sends phanom power to all 4 inputs. That would be my only complaint about it. My mixer has a switch on every input for phantom power and it is very nice to have that versatility.
 
Wow... sorry Amix, I got it all wrong. Thought you were using and SB-card or something like that...

Which card do you have?
 
moskus said:
Which card do you have?
Click to expand...

I believe he has the Aardvark DirectPro 24/96. Nice 4 input / 6 output card with 4 mic preamps and real time effects that are handy for monitoring (but not good enough for recording).

-lee-
 
amix said:
My sensitive condenser mic (RodeNT1) clipped even on the lowest possible (it seemed to me) settings for mic1 and mic2. But the manual sez don't use lin for miking -- though I did, and it worked! (I guess it sounded ok, haven't yet set up checking on stereo speakers.)

What's up with those presets? What's the best way to mic fairly loud stuff (drums, loud voc & guitar)?
Click to expand...

Two thoughts - make sure the microphone itself isn't overloading. Then try the mc1 setting, and adjust the knob next to it it bring your level down even more. If that doesn't get you where you want, try the ln setting and move the knob next to it. But if you're getting that much signal from the microphone, I'm a little worried about the mic overloading. You may really want to move the microphone back a bit from what you are recording.

Is there anything else between the microphone and the interface? Any outboard gear?



I have another question about patchbay. Or rather, I don't get it at all. I know I have to fiddle with it b.c. when I hit "record FX" (which granted, maybe I won't wanna do) no input levels go to Cakewalk. Levels work if I don't try to record FX.
Click to expand...

What sample rate are you using? The Aardvark only lets you use effects at 48 kHz and below. If you are using 96 kHz, then the DSP is too busy to do reverb or compression, etc. at the same time.

-lee-
 
I use a soundeluxe U-97 condenser awith the 24/96 and have always had good results. I DO have to be vigilant watching the meters on the ark board. Make sure the trim is turned low enough too - THEN I still have to ride the fader. Currently I think I'm using the mic 2 input with nice results.

Also, make sure you have all other possible sound sources disabled - never know what's going to throw you off in DAW world.
 
laptoppop said:
I believe he has the Aardvark DirectPro 24/96.
Click to expand...
It says so in the title... Damn I'm slow! :(

I have sinusitis if that's an excuse... I'm sick as hell!
 
moskus said:
I have sinusitis if that's an excuse... I'm sick as hell!
Click to expand...
You need a sub-mucus diathermia. Basically it's a red-hot poker shoved up your nose. Works a treat - no more sinusitis! :)

--
BluesMeister
 
One other thing that may be helpful for the microphone level problem -- you can use an in-line pad. This will deliberately reduce the signal. They're cheap, and you can get them in different strengths.

-lee-
 
thanks

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm gonna keep fiddling, and not record FX from Direct Pro as another friend also advised against it.
Amix
 
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