Microphone troubles

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ajameslesage

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I recently started recording myself using a Tascam US-100 interface and a Tascam TM78 condenser microphone. These are used for acoustic guitar and vocals. However, I can't get anywhere close to the mic without the sound distorting/being way too loud. Now, I have already been working with my input on the interface as low as it will go. I am using a pop filter and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or if this is caused by the mic not being good enough. This problem is especially prevalent while recording vocals, anything in my higher register immediately blows out the mic because it's too loud. My only solution seems to be standing anywhere from 3-5 feet away from the mic, which makes my takes sound cheap and horrible. Is there anything I can do short of buying a new mic? And what mic would you recommend for any kind of acoustic/pop punk singing? This is incredibly frustrating.
 
I'm not familiar with that mic but if your signal is distorting with the interface gain turned down there's not a lot more you can do.

You could use an inline attenuator (pad), but that relies on the mic being fine and the converters/preamp being overloaded.
If you're actually exceeding the max SPL of the mic a pad won't help.

Is it the sheer volume that's overloading it, or is it blasts of air? Are you using a pop filter?
 
I am using a pop filter, it has to be from sheer volume. It doesn't make sense because it renders the mic basically useless for singing, the max spl is 134 db and maybe I'm understanding this incorrectly but how am I being that loud?
 
What reference is telling you it's too loud?
Does it sound distorted? Is the interface peak LED lighting, or are the clip lights in your recording software lighting up?
 
It's only in the recording software (audacity). I just did a normal take and watched the interface and it did not overload, however, when I screamed directly into it (much louder and closer than I normally would) the overload light on the interface lit up. However, when I do a normal take and record into Audacity, my levels peak immediately even though im not overloading the interface.
 
Ok, that's something.
Sounds like you're not overloading the mic/preamp/converters during normal singing.

Could there be something in Audacity amplifying your signal? Something like a compressor plug with makeup gain or whatever?
Are all the track faders at unity?

If you're not sure start a brand new fresh session and do nothing other than arm an audio track to record.
Give that a test and see what happens.
 
You need to learn mic placement techniques and gain staging techniques in your daw.

There are tutorials online and Youtube. Go.
 
There shouldn't be, audacity doesn't allow for live plugins so nothing is running. I also have the input level into audacity set to much lower (dropped it from a .5 to .2) and it still doesn't seem to do anything. I'll see if I can try the mic in a different program with different results, this has been a pervasive problem and I've worked around it with mediocre sounding takes but I'm sick of the poor quality in comparison to how the mic sounds up close.
 
I have been recording for a few years, this is just the first time I'm doing it on my own. I understand it seems like I really don't know what I'm doing but my pop filter and actual positioning (6-9 inches away from the mic) should be correct. I came here because it seems ridiculous that this mic would peak the moment I begin singing anything louder than speaking volume. I don't particularly think it has to do with my mic placement technique.
 
Trying another software suite seems like a good idea.
Reaper is a reasonably light download and it's free to try.

Might be worth a look.
 
The snag is that the TM-78 isn't actually a poor mic, it's an OEM product made in China and sold under a few brand names - I've got 20 sitting in my store, and they're fine - BUT they are very sensitive, and highish output, and one of the drawbacks is that to sing into them close, let alone yell - your audio kit needs an attenuator. Some mics have pads, these don't. Your interface sadly lacks an attenuator too - so there is no way with what you have to reduce the level. You can buy attenuators, just make sure it's one suitable for phantom power.

With the gain on minimum you can still hit the overload light - this is pretty standard for this mic - that's why they're great for things like acoustic instruments and choirs, that kind of thing. They're just too hot if your input device is also sensitive!

These mics are also not really cardioid, but a bit narrower, which also doesn't help with getting close.

Sorry this is not good news - but I've sold hundreds of these over the years until Thomann in Germany started selling them at about what I pay for them! Never had one complaint about their performance. They can crack if you run a flight case over them!
 
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Now that makes things really odd. The mic should barely make a useable signal (if any) without phantom power.

I think something is missing here.
 
It doesn't! The only problem I ever had was people sending one back because "it doesn't work" - and discovering no phantom is available.

The manual for the interface states:
This unit does not provide phantom power. To use a condenser mic that requires power, use an external phantom power source.
Click to expand...
If it makes any sound at all, then it is a Harry Potter moment. If it produces good sound from 5-7 feet away, then clearly, magic is at work here.
 
arcaxis said:
At a guess, me thinks the OP hasn't divulged another piece of gear in the chain. Perhaps a little Behringer mixer or phantom power box that doesn't put out adequate phantom voltage (12-15v for a mic that might require 48v) and the output circuit of the mic clips when driven by a higher level of audio.
Click to expand...

The thot plickens Mark! The Tascam US-100 does NOT have phantom power!

Dave.
 
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