M-Aufio Tampa Problem ...

  • Thread starter Thread starter rcarden2
  • Start date Start date
R

rcarden2

New member
M-Audio Tampa Problem ...

I just got a Tampa preamp off of ebay and it has hardly any gain for microphones. I've tried a MXL V76 (phantom on) and a crappy nady dynamic. It is switched to mic input. If I scream as loud as I can into the nady (with the +20 boost on) I can almost reach 0 on the VU. The gain is maxed out. When an instrument is plugged in it has plenty and will easily overdrive it. Is this a mechanical or operational problem? Also I had been using my friends Firepod and his cubase LE with all eight inputs. I bought mine finally, and the Cubase software says LE is limited to 4 inputs, Whats up with that? Thanks!

Ryan.
 
Last edited:
I suspect a cabling problem first a defective pre second...

On the second question I don't know.. sounds like a setup issue to me.
 
Unfortunately I am using brand new cabling as well. Could it be something operational that I am doing? It seems to me that the VU meter should at least register to 0 but this is my first preamp so maybe I'm confused in its operation. Any other suggestions?


Ryan.
 
I've found the metering to be misleading on the Tampa, especially when using the digital output on it. In general, I can get the Tampa to go into the red in ProTools even with the meter on the Tampa somewhere around -10 dB. That said, I do generally have to crank up the gain on the Tampa more than I would for any other mic pre that I have.

What kind of signal is your recorder getting? Is it going into the red? Are you using the analog or digital output? If you're using the analog output, do you accidentally have the -20 dB output pad engaged?
 
...and you are listening to the sound somewhere rather than just looking at the meters, right? I have Tampa's, and I don't remember the meters moving all that much when tracking either. But there's sound coming out. And it should have tons of gain.

I just bought my second tampa, and I hooked up an Oktava MC012 with gain all the way up and +20db on - I could hear the little ticking of the second hand of my clock as if it were someone moderately knocking on the door!
 
Man, again I'm too late... :rolleyes:

But yeah, I've got 2 Tampas and ya really can't go by the meters too much. Seems like mine barely move but the sound is good so I don't worry. Is your 48V on?

my2c.............
 
Alos, I heard that the compressor on the tampe doesn't have makeup gain. Could he have the threshold set way too low?

Jeff
 
Thanks for the help guys, I started going by the meter on the computer instead of the unit and its sounding great. I didn't realize that the meter on the unit would move so little. This is my first real preamp so I suppose I wasn't quite up to terms on how to use it. Thanks again!


Ryan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top