Condenser Volume not Adjustable

  • Thread starter Thread starter rswils
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rswils

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Hello,

I'm using Cubase and Focusrite modules and can't seem to adjust the input levels on a condenser mic. All other cardioid mics are fine, it's just the condenser that behaves like this. Does anyone have any suggestions or know what I seem to be doing wrong? I suspect it's a setting maybe?

Thank you,

Russ
 
Yes there is. It looks like on the 18i20 there's one for channels 1 and 2 only. On the OctoPre it's got one for every channel.
 
Condenser mics put put out more signal (~8 to 25mV are typical) than most dynamics (~1 to 3mV). A Shure SM7B is about 1.1mV, an AT4040 is about 25mV.

Still, I'm surprised that an 18i20 can't handle a standard condenser mic. The Scarlett can handle +8dBu which is about 2VOLTS, and a mic is putting out 25 thousandths of a volt at 94dB. How loud is your signal?
 
TalismanRich said:
Condenser mics put put out more signal (~8 to 25mV are typical) than most dynamics (~1 to 3mV). A Shure SM7B is about 1.1mV, an AT4040 is about 25mV.

Still, I'm surprised that an 18i20 can't handle a standard condenser mic. The Scarlett can handle +8dBu which is about 2VOLTS, and a mic is putting out 25 thousandths of a volt at 94dB. How loud is your signal?
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Thank you for the info. I actually have the AT4040. It was "pads" wasn't enabled on the Focusrite. I appreciate the response. The channel I had the mic plugged into previously didn't have a pads option
 
Do you still overload even with the gain control on that channel turned down? The pad really shouldn't be needed unless you are close micing something like loud drums or a Marshall stack at full song.
 
TalismanRich said:
Do you still overload even with the gain control on that channel turned down? The pad really shouldn't be needed unless you are close micing something like loud drums or a Marshall stack at full song.
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I'm micing a kick drum. I have an internal and using a the 4040 for the lows on the outside. It's about 4" from the resonant head and not overloading now. The channel volume is pretty low though it's on 1 but I'm getting good level
 
That makes more sense. Drums can be incredibly loud up close, and they are all peaks, compared to your bass, guitar, vocal or whatever.

Remember that sound pressure drops 6dB when you double the distance, so moving back gives you more "headroom". That's why you can whisper in someone's ear and they can easily hear you but move back a couple of feet and they can't hear anything.
 
You should probably engage the pad on the mic itself. The active circuitry in the mic can be overloaded by loud sources. Decreasing gain downstream won't undo that clipping.
 
TalismanRich said:
That makes more sense. Drums can be incredibly loud up close, and they are all peaks, compared to your bass, guitar, vocal or whatever.

Remember that sound pressure drops 6dB when you double the distance, so moving back gives you more "headroom". That's why you can whisper in someone's ear and they can easily hear you but move back a couple of feet and they can't hear anything.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the info, very helpful!!!
 
bouldersoundguy said:
You should probably engage the pad on the mic itself. The active circuitry in the mic can be overloaded by loud sources. Decreasing gain downstream won't undo that clipping.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll look at that as well. Much appreciated!
 
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