Help! MR-8 input levels.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ivan1
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ivan1

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I am new to recording.

I purchased my MR-8 two days ago. I want to record a single acoustic guitar using a microphone. When I attach my microphone to th MR-8 and try to adjust the trim level. I get very low levels, about 20-30% even when the trim knob is at maximum. If I speak very loud and close to the microphone I can get higher levels, but not at a distance. Levels with the guitar very close to the mic are still somewhat low.

I took the the mic to the music store and they told me it was a good mic, and they tested it on a PA system. They said it should be great for acoustic guitar. ( Audio Technica AT813 condenser cardoid mic 20 years old.)

Where do you guys set your trim knobs? At max?


When I bounce the track to 7/8 the levels increase. Is this normal.

After bouncing the levels in the headphones are quite high but when I playback on my home stereo, I have to crank the volume to hear. What will happen when I go to CD.

Any Help will be greatly appreciated

Ivan
 
Ivan,
Check the switch on the back of the unit and make sure you have it in the right location. It sounds like you might be switched to internal microphone. Also where is your track level set?

bd
 
I checked. The switch on the back is set correctly at microphone, not int mic. The track fader is up at a nominal level.

Should the trim level knob be at max. Where do you set yours for a good level
 
Hi,
Also try the Bright Button to make it louder.
I noticed when I put new strings on my guitar and plugged directly in: the sound with the Bright Button sounded a little wavey.

redStar8
 
The Bright button does make it louder. Does this affect the input
level?

How high does the input level have to be to get a good level on the final stereo wav file that goes to CD?
 
Ivan,
I usually crank the trim until the peak LED lights, then back it off a touch while I try cranking my vocals to where I think I will be at the loudest during the recording. When the LED no longer lights, I'm pretty much at max level. My first recordings were very low...just like yours, until I experimented a bit with the levels.


bd
 
I'm sure it's a matter of experience.

I can't turn the trim level any higher it doesn't go any further. The red light does not go on. Only if I make a very loud noise by yelling into the miking while it touches my lips. Therefore I can't turn it up till the red light goes on and then back it off.
 
Ivan,
Are you using a mixer? Also, have you tried both sides (line)on left (mic) on right? I am using a mixer with a mic preamp...I think that's why it is so easy to clip. I do know that it does make a difference which side I use on the trim pot.

bd
 
ivan1 said:
( Audio Technica AT813 condenser cardoid mic 20 years old.)


Ivan
Click to expand...

I don't want to sound stupid here or anything and my MR-8 hasn't even shipped yet so I haven't even used one. But, since this a condenser mic as far as what I know (which is not that much) most if not all condenser mics have to have phantom power which the MR-8 does not have or a battery. Just wanted to check and make sure ya'll didn't over look this detail?
If this is wrong just overlook me.
 
ivan1 said:


They said it should be great for acoustic guitar. ( Audio Technica AT813 condenser cardoid mic 20 years old.)


Ivan
Click to expand...

Ivan, your problem might be that you have a condenser mic and it is not getting power. If it takes a battery, then check that; if it doesn't then it means that you will need an external phantom power supply (i.e. a pre-amp) to make your mic work properly. You will notice a huge difference in the level and sound quality once the mic is powered.....

good luck
T
 
Thanks for all the replys and help.

No I am not using a mixer. I just talked to the music store and they suggested that the gain on the pre-amp in the MR-8 may not be good enough for the fingerpicking guitar work I want to record. He said a pre-amp prior to the MR-8 might be the way to go.

Does this seem reasonable? I'm new to this. I was hoping the MR-8 would be able to do the job without further purchases.

Ivan
 
The mic does have a battery. I changed it with a new one. Also, I took the mike into the music store and they tested it on a P.A. system and it worked fine.
 
I bought my MR-8 at Long & McQuades in Burlinton Ontario, Canada. They ordered it from their store in Toronto, about 30 km from Burlington. According to the store computer, they had four units in the Toronto Store last week.
 
no kidding!!!

ivan1 said:
I bought my MR-8 at Long & McQuades in Burlinton Ontario, Canada. They ordered it from their store in Toronto, about 30 km from Burlington. According to the store computer, they had four units in the Toronto Store last week.
Click to expand...

That's uncanny - that's the same store (burlignton) i tested out the MR8, as well as purchased a little pre-amp. With the exception of one dude in the 'pro-audio' section, who thought that the SM57 was a 'stage' condenser mic for guitar cabs only (they are actually dynamic and incredibly verstatile), they knew what they were talking about, and their advise of looking into a pr-amp may be sound. I would suggest to take your MR8 into the store, as well as your mic. Set it up there, and test your MR8 out with one of their brand new SM57/58 mics. That should give you very hot levels - and it will let you know if the pre-amps on the MR8 are duds. If they are not, try out a small pre-amp at the store(they have lot's of ART tube MP's there), and hook up your own mic to see if it makes a difference. If you still have trouble - even with the art pre-amp, then it's probably your mic that's the source of difficulty...

Good luck
T
 
Sounds like you need to use a preamp.

This mic may require Phantom power!

The PA they tested your mic on probably had phantom power and mic pre-amps.
 
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