Need a more sensitive mic

[rutledj]

I want to record my amp at bedroom levels. Not looking for pro equipment here. Currently I have a Shure PG57 and I have to really crank the amp to get a good level into my Focrsrite Saffire24 module. Is there a better (cheap) mic that would work good for quieter levels and maybe even an acoustic guitar?

Thanks,
Rut

 

[moresound]

Nothing really cheaper but a good large diaphragm condenser would do the trick. some examples MXLs V67g $88. @ shopping.com /(tube)MXL V69 $224. @same place.
And about 10 to 20 more suggestions to chime in am sure of that! so just window shop around when they come in and make your best pick that will suit you.

 

[Erockrazor]

You can look at it one of two ways. You either need a more sensitive microphone. OR you need a higher gain preamp. There's nothing wrong with your microphone. Dynamic microphones typically need more gain to optimize the level.

Also, there is nothing wrong with having your microphone preamp gain way up. Especially focusrite pre's, they're supposed to be pretty well equipped. I'm just trying to say, maybe you don't need new gear. If you don't have the pre's all the way up, there's nothing wrong with running your preamps at higher gain.

 

[rutledj]

I actually have the pre at about 9 (any higher and it distorts) and the amp up really loud (at least for bedroom levels). I'd like to be able to record the amp at a much quieter setting.

 

[Tony-bobs]

you could try Karma K-Micros http://www.karmamics.com/shop/K-Micro-Matched-Pair.html . I will be putting up some clips using them on acoustic and electric guitar as well as vox hopefully tonight if not tomorrow morning. I did a little recording with them last night on acoustic guitar and they came across really well.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

I actually have the pre at about 9 (any higher and it distorts) and the amp up really loud (at least for bedroom levels). I'd like to be able to record the amp at a much quieter setting.

Sounds like something is wrong. Try swapping out cables. Try looking further down the recording chain to see if a knob or a computer fader is set too low. Try recording something familiar and natural like a voice to see if anything is obviously "off". Listen with headphones to see if there is any crackling.

 

[RAMI]

Where are you placing the mic?

 

[XLR]

Sounds like something is wrong. ...Try looking further down the recording chain to see if a knob or a computer fader is set too low. Try recording something familiar and natural like a voice to see if anything is obviously "off"...

Agreed. Probably a gain staging problem.

Check your levels at every point in the chain, hardware and software.

 

[XLR]

Where are you placing the mic?

That's a good question.

 

[rutledj]

I'm placing the mic right in front of the speaker (within 2 inches). With headphones on, I'll turn the preamp up until I hear distortion. The Saffire mixer controls are set to 0db. I'm using Reaper to record and its track control is set to the default.

 

[Erockrazor]

You're recording electric guitar? you could turn up your amp. What distortion are you talking about? are your signals clipping? You should track your music with around -9db peaks

Gain staging, I'm pretty sure that his preamp is the only place he is worrying about his gain.

 

[XLR]

I'm placing the mic right in front of the speaker (within 2 inches).

Good.

With headphones on, I'll turn the preamp up until I hear distortion.

That would indicate that you're getting a hot enough level at the mic and pre.

I'm using Reaper to record and its track control is set to the default.

Do you have the Saffire firewire input selected in Reaper's Options/Prefernences/Audio Device menu?

 

[rutledj]

yep. Using the saffire's asio drivers

 

[shortedaman]

i know this might sound simple. but have you checked all of your cables? are any of them shorted out at all? or your connection at your mic? or inputs on your sapphire?