no mic signal

[alpo3k]

i bought a mic preamp, and i have it connected to my pc's soundcard. The mic is going through the input of the preamp, but i have no signal coming up when i try to record.can any tell me what the problem is

 

[recordingpro]

your too vague - you need to be more specific. What mic, what sound card, what preamp, what software, and so forth??

 

[alpo3k]

mic=sure sm58, soundcard=sound blaster audigy SE, preamp=behringer ultragain mic 2000, and software is cool edit pro. Are those enough details.

 

[hairylarry]

Most likely line input disabled in your creative mixer

Hi,

Check your Creative Mixer software. The line input may be set to mute.

If not that the normal troubleshooting method would be to start with the mic and follow the chain.

Does the mic work plugged into an amp or pa?

Are you using the same cable as you used with the mic test?

Is your preamp showing input levels?

Is your cable between the preamp and the sound card good?

Is it plugged into the right hole? Line in is probably right.

Are you showing levels on your creative mixer?

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[alpo3k]

i have all the plugs plugged in correctly the volume is up on my input level and its not muted. Only thing i can think of now is that it has to be something wrong with the microphone. Even havent used the mic in like a year but it worked fine back then.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

i have all the plugs plugged in correctly the volume is up on my input level and its not muted.

That kind of statement always scares me. Over the years, I've found it's usually me, not the equipment that's screwed up somewhere along the way. Try this:

Unplug the XLR from the mic and stick a nail into the pin 2 hole of the XLR. If you get a hum or buzz when you touch the nail, you're right; it is the mic. No hum or buzz? It's the cable or the some other wrong connection.

 

[travelin travis]

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=214930

same question, different thread. you're not helping us to help you.

 

[RAK]

Forget the computer for a second, are you seeing level in the behringer pre-amp?

 

[undergroundtoon]

just a thought:
Did you go into cool edit's preference and set your in outs? That tells your computer where the sound is coming from and where its going. I am sure you did, But both should be set to your soundblaster card(line in and line out). Is the cable going from line out on the back of the pre to line in on the soundcard? Do you have your gain up high enough to read the mic? say 4 o'clock. I dont know i am stumped. The sm58 doesnt need 48v power which would have been my first thought.

hope i helped you, if not dont give up you wil get it

 

[alpo3k]

hey i just bought a new mic cable and that solved the problem, the issue was the mic cable apparently went bad. I see a signal on the preamp, now my question is how do i start to see the signal on cool edit cause it is showing no signal.

 

[hairylarry]

Most common problem - cables and connections

Hi,

90% of problems with electronics are cables and connections. I am glad you found your bad cable. You have also now determined that you have input levels at the preamp.

It is not uncommon when troubleshooting a problem, particularly a new setup, to have more than one thing to fix.

This can be discouraging but it should be encouraging. If you found the first problem you can find the second.

OK, since you have levels at the preamp you now have to check the preamp out. Try plugging the preamp out into an audio amplifier like a stereo receiver or a guitar amp or a boombox with CD or Video in.

Use different cables. Try swapping your cable. Check your cable with a volt ohm meter.

If this all works try plugging another source into your line in. A tape out on a receiver or a line out on a walkman should work. Even a headphone out should work for this test although it may not sound the best.

Make sure your creative mixer has levels. Then check your DAW software.

Just keep following the chain until you find the problem.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry