Low Volume into Computer

[j mel]

Can anybody help me by any chance? It was all I could do not to pound my computer into the ground with a microphone last night.

I'm having a hard time recording through a mic to the computer. Can record fine, but the recording volume is really quiet. You have to crank the volume way up in order to hear what was recorded through a mic. All volume settings on the volume control panel are turned to their max, line in, auxilary, microphone, everything, and its still very quiet.

How can I fix this? Do I need an amp? We didn't seem to have this problem with our last computer.

The soundcard is a Sound Blaster Audigy 2.

 

[apl]

What kind of mic? What software?

That'll help us know what's going on.

 

[j mel]

Can't tell you model number at the top of my head. Its just a standard Mic - Shure brand - cord connects to mic with an xlr jack, and other end is the standard 1/4 inch plug.

Software is Sound Forge Audio Studio 8. But even without that, volume is still a problem.

Also got an audio interface - M-Audio USB hoping to be able to record in stereo. That didn't work out so well either. Only can get it to record in one speaker. But I have no idea what i'm doing, so thats half the problem with that. The audio interface seems like it may have a mini-amp inside it...cause i can turn the channel all the way up, and it seems to help the volume going to the computer a little bit, but not enough. I'm perfectly happy being able to record in mono for what I need.

 

[Farview]

Does the m-audio card have mic preamps built in? That would be worlds better than the audigy.

If you are only using 1 mic, it can't be stereo.

If you are plugging a mic into the line input, it will be very quiet. Microphones don't put out very much signal that's what mic preamps are for, to bring the mic level up to line level.

 

[j mel]

Farview...that might the problem. We didn't seem to have the problem withour old computer, but that was also using those microphones built for computers...you know, those $10 microphones that you get at BestBuy. The sound was nice and loud, but quality sounded like crap.

This mic has a good quality sound, its just too damned quiet. I guess the audio interface does have a pre-amp built in since I am able to turn the volume up and down on that...but cannot turn it up enough to make a difference in the computer.

Radio Shack has a cheap 40 Watt PA Amp for $100. Can I get that and plug the mic in there, then that to the computer?

Sorry for the ignorance on this subject. I have zero knowledge when it comes to this.

 

[Farview]

Going to Radio Shack for audio equipment is like going to Toys R Us to buy an SUV. Anyway, a PA amplifier is for running speakers, you will smoke your interface if you plug something that powerful into your computer. Which m-audio interface do you have?

 

[Farview]

One more question.
Is it that you aren't getting enough recording level, or that you can't hear yourself in your headphones/speakers?

 

[j mel]

Far...I cannot remember which model for the life of me. Looks simular to this:

http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=USBAUDIOPHILErepack

Has 1/4 mic jack in front, 2 channel dials, 1 headset jack, and phantom power button. I don't remember if it has the XLR jacks on the front or not, but know it has a couple in the back.

For your second question...i guess that we aren't getting enough recording level. I can hear myself in the speakers, but its very quiet. I have to crank the volume way up to be able to hear what was recorded.

Kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place here. Its for a project that the wife is working on, and i don't know what else to do. The amp was my only thought, but your last comment scares me a bit .

I was hoping I'd just be able to plug the mic into the computer and go...which I can do, but have to contend with the volume problem. What exactly is a pre-amp? Is that what I need? If there is one in the m-audio unit...its not enough.

 

[Farview]

You should be plugging your mic into the xlr jack of the m audio. The 1/4 inch jack bypasses the mic preamps. You need to get yourself a standard mic cable and everything will be good.

 

[j mel]

Ok...i'll give that a try. Any other options if that doesn't work? Or if it still doesn't give me enough volume?

I really appreciate your help on this.

 

[Farview]

If it doesn't work that means that it doesn't have built in mic preamps. You will need to go and get one.

 

[j mel]

Farview. Any guesses as to where and how much I can expect to spend on one? Could I get one of those, and not even need the m-audio unit?

After this...I should be done. Sorry if I'm being a pest.

 

[TimOBrien]

You DO need a pre-amp to bring the level of the mic up to line-level.

Go to Musiciansfriend.com and type "pre-amp" into the search bar.
Click on "Price - Low to High"

You can get an ART or Behringer pre-amp for as low as $50.

While you're there, get a basic home recording book so that you know what you need and don't spend a ton of money yet:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search?sc=price&q=RECORDING BOOK&so=asc&d=tp&page=2

 

[j mel]

Thanks Tim.

Hopefully the m-audio that I have has the pre-amp in it. I purchased a new mic cord during lunch today. Will give it a whirl when I get home.

Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[Farview]

If the m-audio has a built in mic preamp, it is doing 2 things.

1. Bringing the mic signal to line level

2. Converting the, now line level, signal to digital so your computer can use it.

Even if you get an outboard mic preamp, you will still need the m audio (or something like it) to convert it into digital.

If your interface doesn't have built in mic preamps, it is just doing the conversion and you will need to get the preamp to bring the mic signal up to line level.

 

[j mel]

The XLR line that i purchased yesterday worked just fine on it. We do have more volume on the mic going into the computer now. Wish we had just a smidge more, but it is 100 times better than it was.

Again, I sincerelly thank you all for all of your help.

 

[Farview]

If you have the preamp turned all the way up and you still need more level, you need to sing louder.

 

[j mel]

Preamp on M-Audio is turned all the way up, and the wife is speaking pretty loudly. Have volume on speakers turned up to half way mark and its pretty good. Wouldn't think she'd need to turn up speakers that loud. But its completely tollerable.

 

[Farview]

You might want to try headphones. But as long as you are getting good recording levels, you are fine.