Just Getting Started...Almost

[jc6363]

I need help with troubleshooting.

I am trying start up a very basic home studio. My primary purpose at this point is to begin recording only vocals to be used in narratives/ voiceovers. I eventually would like to be able to record vocal and acoustic guitar.

My gear includes an Audio-Technica AT3035 condenser mic, an M-Audio USB pre-amp, and my standard SoundMax audio card. Right now, I am using a sound recording software called Audacity, because it is free and I've reached my budget for recording for now.

I set this up, installed the drivers for the preamp, and nothing happened. The pre-amp is working fine becuase I tested its output, but I am getting nothing from the mic.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Does the preamp have phantom power? Condensor mics need 48v phantom power.

I looked at the M Audio USB unit online and it says "....plus an XLR microphone input for recording vocals or other acoustic sounds using a dynamic mic."

This suggests to me that it doesn't have phantom power and so you'll need a seperate phantom power supply. Something like this should fit the bill.

Most pres come with phantom power built in but it looks like you were unlucky in buying one of the few that doesn't.

 

[jc6363]

Well, I'm pretty sure it should have phantom power. There is a button to turn it on, the store rep told me it had it, and the manual says it has it. Does the pre-amp really transmit the audio signal through the USB cable? Maybe that is the problem? I'm sure that sounds like a stupid question, but I have no idea what could be wrong besides the pre-amp driver software. I did uninstall it and then reinstall it already...

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

There is a button to turn it on, the store rep told me it had it, and the manual says it has it.

Then I reckon it probably has it . Just trying to troubleshoot.

It's odd that the M Audio USB unit I looked at specified a dynamic mic for the mic input, I'm guessing it was a different unit. I'm not au fait with USB gear at all.

I wasn't much help at all was I?