Mic / Mixer Question

[billru44]

Hey,

I got a Shure 57 mic and a cheap Beringer mixer. So, when I use headphones on the mixer, it sounds good when I monitor what is coming thru the mic. However, when I record it using SONAR, seems like I have to turn the volume pretty low so the recording levels dont go into the 'hot' zone (red level).

Any tips on recording w/ volume levels?

Also, I hook the 'main out' from my mixer into the 'line in' of my soundcard. Should I try the mic in instead or keep it on the line in?

 

[pandamonk]

The Mic in will probably have a preamp so will make it even worse. Why not turn down the volume that you record at on the computer? Whats wrong with recording it quiet anyway?

 

[billru44]

recording it quiet? dont things always sound better when they're cranked up!!!! rock & roll style?

 

[pandamonk]

Yeh things sound better when they are loud. But i'd rather mix a track with it being quiet, than it being all distorted etc. because it was recorded too loud. you can crack up the volume later, when mastering, or send it away to be mastered, or just turn up the speaker volume when playing back.