mic/signal problems?

[naivete]

New to recording and having a problem getting started. Recording with a presonus firebox via firewire to dell. I'm just using cubase LE that came with the interface for now. If I record direct with acoustic (built in pre-amp) I actually get a pretty decent track but if I try to go through any mic it is completely dead. I tried my MXL 990 with vocals and 991 with acoustic using 48v phantom power. I set the levels on the firebox as high as I could without clipping and while I'm playing the signal indicator on the firebox and in cubase appear to be strong but still almost nothing gets through. Even if I scream into the mic when played back it's a thousand miles away. I know these are pretty cheap mics but I tried my sm57 and got the same thing so I assume I'm doing something wrong. Sorry if this is a redundant or stupid question but any advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[Waffleness]

You state that:

while I'm playing the signal indicator on the firebox and in cubase appear to be strong but still almost nothing gets through

I dont understand this part. How can the signal be strong in cubase, but at the same time not "get through"?

Do you mean the output from cubase is quiet? Is the display of the waveform on the screen small?

 

[naivete]

the waveform is small but the indicator in cubase shows a strong input signal while recording.

 

[Waffleness]

There is a little tool (a fader) in the upper right hand corner, that is probably at its lowest setting. Drag it to half way. This will allow you to see the waveform more easily.

Although, you should really be using the input and output meters to see the signal moving around the project, not the waveform size. The meters provide a lot more information in my opinion.