Help needed?Input Levels too low

[ivan1]

Help. I just bought an MR-8 unit but am thinking of returning it.

When recording my acoustic guitar with a mic, my input levels are too low, about 25% of max even though my trim knob is at maximum. I had my microphone checked out at the music store, and they said it was fine. It's a condenser mike(audio technica AT813). I took the MR-8 and mic into the store to make sure I was setting it up right. My levels are very low. I have been told that the the trim should be as high as possible, without clipping. Even when I speak loudly into the mic as it touches my lips, I can't get the levels to max. Another call to the music store, and they tell me I should get a pre-amp. This means more $$$. I thought that this system should be able to record well without added equip.

Am seriously thinking of taking the MR-8 back to the store, and finding another way.

After bouncing the recorded track the levels increase, but I wonder if low input levels will cause poor sound quality.

Any help from anyone out there would be helpful.

 

[Stealthtech]

I couldn't get any specs from there website but Im assuming the mic inputs do have a preamp so I cant see why you would have this problem.
I know one thing...I wouldn't own any Fostex gear.
Check out the Tascam gear.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Do you have phantom power turned on? If the MR8 has preamps and phantom power (condensor mics need it) you should be able to easily max out the input with the trim all the way up just by talking close to the mic.

Are you using a regular XLR cable with no adapters?

 

[ivan1]

My condenser mic has a battery, which is new ( I checked) so I don't need phantom power.

Im using regular XLR cables, with no adaptors. I also tried using an cable with xlr on the mic end and a 1/4" connection on the other, with the same results.

 

[Stealthtech]

Ivan,
You said you took the MR8 and the mic to the store. Is this where you bought the MR8 from ??
You would think they would have done all they could to get you straight and figure it out. Perhaps trying another mic or another unit....right ????

 

[DKMurphPr]

I suggest you try two things. First, how are the input levels using a dynamic mic, and second, the MR-8 has a built-in mic, how does that sound?

If you get good results this way, maybe there is something wrong with the condenser mic.

Oh, and another thought, since the MR-8 doesn't have phantom power, maybe you could get your hands on an audio buddy or a mixer that has phantom power and try your mic using phantom power.