How to Cut Down on Mic Noise?

[circlemouth]

I'm using a Shure SM-57 with an Art MP Preamp into a Roland 840ex digital multitracker. I didn't notice it before, but it seems like recently I'm getting a lot more of a hiss than I used to. (The only thing I can think of that may have caused this is I put the wrong power adapter into the preamp once and it freaked out a little bit. Then again, I'm not that perceptive--the noise may have been there all along.) It is only a slight hiss, I'm in a tiny apartment and part of it may be the hum from variance electric devices and appliances. When I transfer my recordings onto computer I have some programs that can clean this up but until then (and more preferable) what ways can I
I suspect I'm not setting my levels correctly. There's not only the input dial and mixing knob on the 8-track but the input/output on the the preamp. Generally, what's the suggested setup for these? Right now I just have the preamp dials set right in the middle and the input on the 8-track just high enough that it doesn't clip (maybe around -40 db) and mixer knob at around -4 db. Should I set the input on the preamp a little higher and a little less on the 8-track, or vice versa? More output? Less? I have no idea how to arrange these. I appreciate any input (I don't clip)...Thanks....

 

[The Axis]

I also record in my home. You DO HAVE TO TURN OFF EVERYTHING ! And I mean EVERYTHING ! Refrigerator, fans, heaters,....clocks....computers....everything. A sensitive mike, particularly one with boosted high frequency response, such as the SM-57, will accentuate the white-noise hiss of fans and motors.

Levels: Set the Roland PRE dial fully Counter-Clockwise (OFF)
Increase the input gain on the Tube MP until the clip light flickers on the loudest passages...then back of a smidge until it quits flickering.
Increase the output gain of the MP while whatching the levels on the Roland. Go as close to 0 dB as you can at the loudest passages, but do not go over. It is better to be a little low that a little high.

If the tube MP doesn't give you enough gain when close to wide-open, back it off to about 3/4 of wide open and adjust the input gain of the Roland to get close to 0 dB. Between the two, you should have plenty of gain. The object is to use mostly MP and only as much Roland PRE gain as necessary (because, unfortunately, the Roland PREAMPS suck !).

If you still hear distortion or fuzziness, you may ned to replace your MP's tube.

Rick