mic preamp issue

[poprocks]

I just started to set up mic levels with my new Emu 1820m audio interface and can't get the front XLR preamps to not clip. I first used a Shure sm57 on a snare drum with the gain knob all the way to the left and my hardest hits blink red(next to the mic input).

This is the case with both mic/line preamps using 2 different 57's. I then tried the phantom power with 2 overhead condensers, same thing.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[scrubs]

1. Hit the drums softer
2. Do the inputs have pads? If not...
3. Buy inline gain reduction pads
4. Just because the light came on, doesn't necessarily mean you're clipping -- the light usually means you're within a few dB of clipping, though

 

[Minion]

I"ve noticed that the clipping indicators on much of the hardware out there aren"t configured properly....many times they will Light up when your not even close to clipping or sometimes they won"t light up at all even when you are clipping....

Usually a Clipping indicator can be adjusted on the Curcuit Board useing a Variable resistor and this is what they use at the Factory to configure the Clipping LED but usually not very accurately.....

If you have some electronics knowlege you might try looking on the Curcuit board to see if there is a Trim pot for adjusting the Clipping indicator if not you can try takeing it to a Tech and see if they can configure it Or you can simply Ignore it and use the levels in your DAW to see if it is Clipping....


Good luck

 

[poprocks]

The clipping is occurring in Sonar also(the clip light on my audio dock seems in sink my host app. clipping). Also, I'm not hitting the drum crazy hard.

I can't believe such a popular piece of hardware would not allow you to record one of the most popular snare drum mics.

Could the preamp be defective?

 

[Minion]

Well if it is Clipping in Sonar also then it must be Clipping...

Have you tried with a Different mic?? Because it could be the Mic that is Clipping and not the Preamp, If it has a Pad you should try useing it...Also Clipping could be from a Too hot of a Signal which can mean that your Gain is too high, It should only be high enough that you are getting a level signal in your DAW....

Also when level do you record at?? I used to have clipping problems when I first started out because My DAW (Traction) would allways default the Levels to 0db when starting a new Project and didn"t realize that I should be recording at about -12db to -16db so I allways had clipping problems untill I set my levels to -16db... Also I allways have my Preamp levels at maybe 1.5 or 2 because any higher and I the gain would cause it to clip....

If none of this stuff turns out to be the Problems then Maybe it is the Preamp that is causing it and maybe it is defective....

Take it back and exchange it if all else fails....


Good luck