Is this normal? Mic gain staging

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rkmase

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Is this normal?

Now that I have my first mixer, nice mics, etc... When I'm gain staging the mics, it seems that there's this magic point around 40dB that the mics finally "kick in". Anything over that picks up EVERYTHING in the room, and anything lower really doesnt pick up anything. I know this mixer has pre-mics, and it does the same thing with both dynamic and condenser mics.

Somehow, I imagined that there would be a slope of noticable change from 5db to 40db. Of course, I'm new to all of this, and don't know any better.

Thanks in advance.
 
is it a standard mixer with trim pot per port and mix output Lvl
 
I'm confused as to what the 40dB is that you're talking about. 40db what? Where are you reading this 40dB?

what are your meters reading?
what mics?
 
bennychico11 said:
I'm confused as to what the 40dB is that you're talking about. 40db what? Where are you reading this 40dB?

what are your meters reading?
what mics?
Click to expand...

The 40db is what I’m turning the gain knob up to in order to register anything on my meters from the mics. The knob has gain settings from 5db to 60db.

Using a SM57 and SM85. This happens regardless if one or both are used.

Meters only hit 0db after i reach that "threshold" I was talking about earlier, where it seems that the mics finally kick in (around 40db on the gain knob). Anything dialed in under 40db will barely register anything on the mics, anything over seems to pick up everything. I'll try to attach a clip later if I'm not explaining this well enough.
 
Rokket said:
What setting are you putting your fader to?
Click to expand...

I keep the mix level at 0db usually, but I've tried running it up and down its range while checking the mics to no real effect.

Same on both channels of the mixer.
 
What are you micing? A guitar cabinet, a voice, what?

The gain setting will be different depending on what you have in front of the mic.
 
Farview said:
What are you micing? A guitar cabinet, a voice, what?

The gain setting will be different depending on what you have in front of the mic.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I can understand that. Currently, mic'ing both voice and acoustic guitar. So yes, very soft sounds which will require a bit more gain, I'm sure. It just seems that theres this 2/3's of my gain range which is useless and not able to pick up anything but tapping on the mic guard, then another 1/3 which has too much noise to do anything with. I suppose what I'm really trying to figure out, is this a normal thing?

Thanks for all the help, btw.
 
OK, I have to ask: what mic are you using?

And there is also a slim possibility that your mixer may be the culprit. Is it like that on every channel?
 
Rokket said:
OK, I have to ask: what mic are you using?

And there is also a slim possibility that your mixer may be the culprit. Is it like that on every channel?
Click to expand...

Shure SM57 and SM85, same thing happens with both used together, and seperately. And yes, every channel (although theres only 2 :))
 
rkmase said:
Shure SM57 and SM85, same thing happens with both used together, and seperately. And yes, every channel (although theres only 2 :))
Click to expand...

Actually sounds pretty normal to me. I am guessing you mean SM58. Dynamics need some extra gain and they are not as sensitive except for right up next to the capsule for the most part. For acoustic both those mics will sound like ass as well.

as for extra noise above 40db of gain, that is your room, and preamps and such. you might want to check some of the other levels in your monitoring chain, etc as well to make sure your output level is high enougha nd you aren;t trying to pump too much power into a weak signalthere to hear it.

How are you monitoring?
 
daav said:
Actually sounds pretty normal to me. I am guessing you mean SM58. Dynamics need some extra gain and they are not as sensitive except for right up next to the capsule for the most part. For acoustic both those mics will sound like ass as well.

as for extra noise above 40db of gain, that is your room, and preamps and such. you might want to check some of the other levels in your monitoring chain, etc as well to make sure your output level is high enougha nd you aren;t trying to pump too much power into a weak signalthere to hear it.

How are you monitoring?
Click to expand...

Nope, SM85 - the older condenser :D You are right about the room noise though, especially with the SM85. Once that gain goes up, I can hear people in the apartment upstairs talking. Thanks for the input.
 
I love coming back and answering my own questions - it means I’m learning something.

The reason I needed so much gain is because the SM85 just needs a lot of gain. After looking at (and learning how to read) a spec sheet, the SM85's output level/sensitivity is -74db. While the SM57 is around -55db (I think?) neither are really "sensitive" mics.

This explains most of my trouble. Go me.
 
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