are audio interfaces transparent?

[aka86]

hey guys, I have been having so much trouble with muffled sound that it has driven me to register and post online because I cannot find the answer anywhere. Basically i get muddy, muffled sound especially noticeable on vocals and ive tweeked everything including mic placement and software - and its been narrowed down to either my brand new AKG perception 400 microphone or my tascam US-144 - so my question is, is the tascam audio interface transparent as far as sound quality goes or could it be the problem?

by the way i get muffled sound even when the eq on my presonus eureka preamp has lows and mids cut out and highs boosted - it is ridiculous!!! and the eureka is practically brand new as well the problem is there when i bypass it and use just the tascam

also its not cables ive checked that as well. any help is appreciated!

 

[KineticSound]

An audio interface will have a particular color imparted, however the combination of an AKG large condenser and the Tascam 144 should be anything but "muddy." My guess is either something might not be functioning properly or there is another factor at play.

Have you:
1. Tried plugging another mic into the Tascam to see if the interface is causing the problem?
2. Changed the mic placement?
3. Turned off all plugins, phase switches, etc. and removed everything else from the chain?

 

[aka86]

well before i got the akg i used just an SM57 and i didnt really have the problem at least not as badly, it seemed to come up when i switched over to the AKG which i obviously bought for better performance on vocals...and i dont want to believe my crappy sm57 works better than the new condenser mic - do the audio interfaces interact differently with different models/types of microphones? thanks for the reply btw

 

[witzendoz]

I can think of a couple of things.

1) faulty mic
2) Low quality mic lead, remember that you now have phantom power running down the lead.
3) You are singing into the wrong side of the mic or the capsule is mounted back to front (I had this once don't laugh).


This combination of mic and sound card should sound pretty good.


Cheers

Alan.

 

[KineticSound]

...do the audio interfaces interact differently with different models/types of microphones?

I can think of a couple of things.
This combination of mic and sound card should sound pretty good.

I agree. The 144 and the AKG should work wonderfully together. I'm sorry you're not getting the results you want.

Alan makes great suggestions. Just keep changing one piece at a time until you determine where the culprit is.