Can't turn the gain past one!?!

[crowbar0]

Hey, I just got an Altec 1589b mic preamp. I tried using it today on the snare and if I turned the gain past one, it would clip on the desk and on protools, even with the desk gain and fader right down!

Is an attenuator (such as this; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29950&item=3761786089&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V)
the way to solve this problem or is there something i'm missing?

Thanks in advance, Barry.

 

[sile2001]

Is it clipping on the desk, or on protools, or on both?

 

[MadAudio]

He already said both.

Snare drums are pretty loud & have transient peaks. Maybe you don't need to turn the pre up?

What mic are you using?

 

[crowbar0]

I'm using SM57 top and bottom, it's a two input one output 'rack mixer' so I mix the top and bottom snare tracks to one output.

I've never had problems with the snare signal peaking when I was doing it the old way i.e. two channels through the desk pre-amp only.

I actually recorded it anyway and it didnt sound too bad, it's just annoying not having any freedom with the gain, and having to keep the desk channel almost at zero!

btw, I'm in Ireland, and it's a US piece of equipment, I'm using a step-down transformer on the plug (220v - 100v) but that shouldnt make any difference should it?

 

[crowbar0]

You can actually hear the track if you want (need 2b a myspace member though ) http://www.myspace.com/victorymarch

It's the third track "untitled", my bro's project band, he plays all the instruments.

It was recorded today in about 3hrs! Real professional!

 

[DonF]

You have the output from the preamp plugged into what?

 

[crowbar0]

XLR channel input on the desk (Allen & Heath GS3v 16ch)

 

[crowbar0]

Ahhh, something just dawned on me! What with the desk pre-amp amplifying it again, that could be making the signal too hot?!

 

[MadAudio]

Ahhh, something just dawned on me! What with the desk pre-amp amplifying it again, that could be making the signal too hot?!

Yeah, you need to go to a line in!

 

[DonF]

That's kinda what I was getting at.

 

[sile2001]

That, and find out what level the desk is using for output (-10 or +4).

 

[crowbar0]

Yeah, there's an XLR connector wired onto the back of the pre-amp so that's why I used it. Looks like I'l have to re-wire it!

pretty sure the desk is at -10dB, it's an internal jumper thing so i'm not taking it apart to change it!

Thanks for the help guys, should really have just thought about it a bit more myself!

 

[gordone]

Or get a XLR->1/4" (TS or TRS depending on whether or not the line inputs on your board are balanced). No re-wiring of the pre needed!

Yeah, there's an XLR connector wired onto the back of the pre-amp so that's why I used it. Looks like I'l have to re-wire it!