Audio Recording Help!!!Need help with the best presets

[Ferrllamp]

hi guys, i am running a Behringer B-1 to an Behringer Tube Ultra Gain Mic 100 then Out To a Behringer Xenyx 302Usb!
for some reason i feel i am not getting good quality mabye because of the set up i dont know if its best to i record hip hop vocals no instruments.

1. turn the 302 channel gain all the way down and let my ultra mic 100 do the work?
or if its best to use ultra gain with less input and out put and use the 302 gain?

2. also what is a good preset for the 302 mic volume level?
3. what is the phase reverse on the Ultragain & should i use it?
4. Would you guys recomend to use the -10DB on the Mic?

thanks guys

 

[miroslav]

Best presets....?



There's no such thing....it's all song/arrangement/production/mix dependent.

1. set the level at the pre...then adjust if needed at the 302
2.--none--
3. it reverses the signal phase 180 degrees....you only need to use it if your signal is out of phase relative to other tracks...like miking a guitar amp at the front and the back. You would reverse the phase for the back mic usually.
4. if the source is too loud...and the mic is distorting, the yes...otherwise no.

 

[Steenamaroo]

1. turn the 302 channel gain all the way down and let my ultra mic 100 do the work?
or if its best to use ultra gain with less input and out put and use the 302 gain?

In the context of your equipment, XLR inputs have mic preamps behind them and you only want to have one mic preamp in your signal path.
You either want to plug your mic straight into the xenyx XLR socket and use the gain on the xenyx,
OR
Plug your mic into the ultra mic, use the gain on it, and run it's output to a line input on the xenyx.

2. also what is a good preset for the 302 mic volume level?

No presets : It depends how loud you are, how sensitive the mic is, and how close you are to the mic.
Genera rule of thumb is to stay out of the red with room.

3. what is the phase reverse on the Ultragain & should i use it?

It's irrelevant unless you're dealing with more than one mic.
Google it if you're just keen to learn, but for this setup it doesn't matter.

4. Would you guys recomend to use the -10DB on the Mic?

Only if your source is so loud that the signal clips with the mic preamps gain at minimum.
You might use a pad on a close miced snare or something, but not usually on vocal.

 

[miroslav]

Sorry Steen....I went back and edited my post before I saw your post.
I didn't want him to think I was being mean and not giving him actual answers....

 

[Ferrllamp]

Thanks guys sorry about the stupid question but for some reason i was already doing what you guys suggested and yet nuthing the audio quality isnt too great and is distorting when i try mixing it but i think it might be my headphone that is messing with me i thought it was something i wasnt catching right

 

[Steenamaroo]

Thanks guys sorry about the stupid question

No need. No stupid questions here.

If there's distortion you need to find out when it happens.
Open a new session that's completely default. No plugs, no adjustments to software faders etc.
Now record some vocal as normal.


If you hear distortion then it's happening in the analog path (mic/preamp) so your gain's too high or you're overloading the mic.(-10db pad)
If not, then it's happening after that and you've probably been pushing the levels too high in your software.
Maybe you had a compressor with makeup gain, or eqs boosting your level?

Try to be aware of the meters at each stage. There should be overload lights or meters on your mixer, and you'll have meters in your software too. Everything should be kept well away from red.