More Garageband and Fasttrack issues

[CornellAdamO]

Okay, so I've read a bunch of posts about problems with the Fast Track USB and Garageband, but I still can't fix my setup. I'm looking for either someone to tell me how to fix it, or tell me what my next purchase should be so that I don't waste more money on products that don't work.

I have two condenser mics that are connected through standard XLR to a Behringer Xenyx 802 preamp/mixer. This is connected via the main out (L/R 1/4 inch jacks) to the input of the Fast Track USB (1/4 inch input, I had to use an adapter). The Fast Track is connected to my relatively new iMac via USB.
I had a huge problem with all recording appearing only in the right channel, but I realized that the Fast Track was outputting mono in channel 2. I made sure to switch to channel 2 mono input in Garageband.

The only way to get an audible level through this recording setup is to turn the mic output, the preamp output, and the fast track output ALL to the maximum. Then I can just barely hear myself singing, but only through a mess of distorted scratches and pops.

Is there a way to fix this, or do I just need to get a new audio interface? If not the Fast Track, what should I get instead? Do I need to get something with a firewire connection?

 

[scrouch]

If you're using a preamp you shouldn't have problems with levels. I recorded some stuff in Garageband and had some level issues with my m-audio Firewire Solo but I wasn't using another preamp and the built-in doesn't have much gain. When you go to the control panel for the Fast Track (assuming it's the same setup as a Firewire Solo), what sort of levels are you seeing on the channels? I doubt it's a problem with the software. I'm going to go with problems with the preamp. If the preamp is getting good output the fast-track should be overloading well before the levels on it are turned up. What do you get if you just plug the mic straight into the Fast Track? Levels probably won't be great but you should be able to get them to be not too bad. The mic pre-amp is a bit stronger than on the Solo so you might be able to get levels that aren't too bad. Oh wait, you're using condensers. This will work as a test if they have optional battery power. I'll assume you've checked all the cables to make sure they're good so it wont' be that.

What are the levels like on the mixer output? (are the leds in the red?) Also, when you say you're using an adapter to connect the behringer to the Fast Track are you using a Y connector? If you are, try just running from either the left or right channel into the input in the Fast Track instead.