M-Audio Fast Track mkII (with phantom power) and Behringer C1 Condenser Mic Problem.

[LastR]

Hey guys, I just bought my first recording equipments, so I'm a totally newbie. They are M-Audio Fast Track mkII and Behringer C1.

What I want to ask is, when I try to record my voice through this order: Behringer C1 > XLR Cable > M-Audio Fast Track mkII with phantom power > a usb cable > my macbook.

The sound I got is really really awfull. Even before I start saying something, what I can hear is a lot of noise. I can barely hear my own voice, even after I turn up the input volume to 3 o'clock. Well yes, I'm recording in my own bedroom, without any soundproof equipment (I'm staying in a cheap flat). Is the problem comes from the room? or there's something wrong with my settings? or maybe the equipments? Please don't tell me I need to sell back those things, 'cause I bought them for their cheap price, for my hobby. Thanks before.

 

[Tadpui]

When you say that you can barely hear your own voice, are you recording yourself and listening to the playback, or are you monitoring the output through headphones/speakers?

I ask because generally we record with a target in mind of -18 dB RMS on the meters in our software. Compared to the loudness of commercial recordings, this is very quiet. When working with home recordings, we typically just turn up the monitor volume until the final stages of a project, which is when compression/limiting/etc. are applied to the master bus in order to bring up the overall volume of the project.

I wouldn't doubt that the Fast Track's preamps generate a substantial amount of noise at 3:00 on the gain knob. But I wouldn't expect it to be loud enough to drown out the sound of your voice. There could be a fault somewhere in your chain. It could be the microphone, or the XLR cable, or the Fast Track. Do you have any other mics or cables that you could try swapping out? Any friends that might? It'd be worth trying some trial-and-error testing of each component to see if the problem lies with any of them.

 

[mjbphotos]

Are you sure you have the M Audio Fast Track selected as the audio input/output device in whatever software you are using? My first guess is the sound you are getting is from the built-in mic in the MACBOOK.

 

[LastR]

When you say that you can barely hear your own voice, are you recording yourself and listening to the playback, or are you monitoring the output through headphones/speakers?

I ask because generally we record with a target in mind of -18 dB RMS on the meters in our software. Compared to the loudness of commercial recordings, this is very quiet. When working with home recordings, we typically just turn up the monitor volume until the final stages of a project, which is when compression/limiting/etc. are applied to the master bus in order to bring up the overall volume of the project.

I wouldn't doubt that the Fast Track's preamps generate a substantial amount of noise at 3:00 on the gain knob. But I wouldn't expect it to be loud enough to drown out the sound of your voice. There could be a fault somewhere in your chain. It could be the microphone, or the XLR cable, or the Fast Track. Do you have any other mics or cables that you could try swapping out? Any friends that might? It'd be worth trying some trial-and-error testing of each component to see if the problem lies with any of them.

yes, I'm listening to the playback through my headphones.

well, I've tried using a dynamic microphone instead, using the same cable of course. I don't have any friend that own a condenser mic. And the result is, I can record quite easily using that dynamic microphone, and I guess the problem comes from my behringer c1. I'm just trying to share my problem hoping that someone would have been facing the same problem as me.

 

[LastR]

Are you sure you have the M Audio Fast Track selected as the audio input/output device in whatever software you are using? My first guess is the sound you are getting is from the built-in mic in the MACBOOK.

No no, I of course select the audio i/o device first, and even using the built in mic we'll make my recording a lot cleaner (less noise than the condenser). My first guest is, condenser mic can't be used in a normal room. It should be used in a soundproof room. Well I don't know, this is my first try though.

 

[Bobbsy]

I use condenser in non sound proof rooms all the time without major issues.

To start with the obvious, are you sure you're speaking/singing into the proper side of the mic? It can be hard to tell with a lot of side address studio condensers--and speaking into the null side would pick up lots of room noise and very little direct voice.

 

[calimoose]

Post a pic or video of your setup. Condenser's shouldn't make so much noise in an untreated room, even if it is a behringer c1...possible problems:

Bad cable: Test by using another cable and see if the problem persists

Wrong sound settings on your computer: Input sound, check by seeing if recording comes from computer's microphone or if signal is louder when singing directly into your microphone. Test output settings by seeing if you can hear something like a youtube video through your monitors/headphones or if it plays through your computer speakers

Bad condenser mic: check by singing directly into your dynamic, then switching (using the SAME cable) and singing RIGHT UP ON your condenser. Note any differences in signal. The condenser should be quite loud with a good amount of low end when singing right up on it. If the signal is weak on one mic and not the other, I would see if you can try out another C1, perhaps yours is defective

There are several other possibilities, but it would be much easier to help with an audio clip and/or pics of your setup

 

[ecc83]

IMHO the condenser mic IS the problem but not due to its pickup peculiarities but because either it is faulty or the AI is failing to provide the right level or any phantom power.

To test for this you need a test meter, $20 buys one well good enough and instructions to follow when you have it.
In the meantime I shall try to establish what the current demand of the C1 is so that I can tell you what volts to expect and where.

Dave

 

[mjbphotos]

36-52v @ 2.5ma

About average and shouldn't cause any grief, unless his USB port is having a tough time supporting the AI plus the mic load.

That is possible, if the M Audio is USB-powered and the Macbook has underpowered USB ports.

 

[ecc83]

That is possible, if the M Audio is USB-powered and the Macbook has underpowered USB ports.

You beat me to the number Arc'! That 2.5mA would leave about 40V on a "neked" XLR connector for measurement and sure, if that is low check the USB volts tho' that is trickier to do.

Or! Buy a PC! (always wanted to say that!) . Actually, now that XP is all but gone, you can pick up a useful desktop tower for as little as £10 in junk/charity shops and anything that will run XP will run that pipsqueak AI. Never! Hurts to have a spare computer!

Dave.

 

[LastR]

I use condenser in non sound proof rooms all the time without major issues.

To start with the obvious, are you sure you're speaking/singing into the proper side of the mic? It can be hard to tell with a lot of side address studio condensers--and speaking into the null side would pick up lots of room noise and very little direct voice.

I tried, even changing the usb port or not touching the mic (like what I learned from some forum), but it doesn't solve anything.

Can you post a short recorded clip of the noise which includes your voice or instrument and how close are you to the mic when using it?

mic_test

I don't know how to upload it, but you can download from the link I gave.

Post a pic or video of your setup. Condenser's shouldn't make so much noise in an untreated room, even if it is a behringer c1...possible problems:

Bad cable: Test by using another cable and see if the problem persists

Wrong sound settings on your computer: Input sound, check by seeing if recording comes from computer's microphone or if signal is louder when singing directly into your microphone. Test output settings by seeing if you can hear something like a youtube video through your monitors/headphones or if it plays through your computer speakers

Bad condenser mic: check by singing directly into your dynamic, then switching (using the SAME cable) and singing RIGHT UP ON your condenser. Note any differences in signal. The condenser should be quite loud with a good amount of low end when singing right up on it. If the signal is weak on one mic and not the other, I would see if you can try out another C1, perhaps yours is defective

There are several other possibilities, but it would be much easier to help with an audio clip and/or pics of your setup

Bad cable Tried using another cable, no luck

Wrong setting Well, from what you said I think there's nothing wrong. Without entering any other DAW, I tried listening directly from the input (there's direct monitor button on the sound card), but too bad, no luck

Bad mic well, without even singing I can hear noises