Please help w/ recording levels extremely low!

[JusAuser]

Equipment:
Audiophile 2496 (soundcard)
MXL 990 condenser mic (microphone)
Art tube MP StudioV3 (pre amp)
Acid Pro 4 (recording software)

Problem:
After tons of trial and error now I can't get recording levels to work properly with Audiophile soundcard and the mic pre amp. I have to yell in the mic, to even come close to accepting any signal. Also, no wave patterned is generated in Acid. Because sound levels are too low.

Current Setup:
Mic is plugged into the Pre amp (thru input slot)
Mono (unbalanced) output w/ adapter (from pre amp)is plugged into PC soundcard's input slot.
Monitors are plugged into soundcard's output slot.

Suggestion:
Don't know where to even try to fix this problem. Spent tons of time reading threads that come close but don't help. Can someone please help...I really don't want to go out and by another pre amp.

Also, no wave patterned is generated in Acid. Because sound levels are too low.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Equipment:
Audiophile 2496 (soundcard)
MXL 990 condenser mic (microphone)
Art tube MP StudioV3 (pre amp)
Acid Pro 4 (recording software)

Problem:
After tons of trial and error now I can't get recording levels to work properly with Audiophile soundcard and the mic pre amp. I have to yell in the mic, to even come close to accepting any signal. Also, no wave patterned is generated in Acid. Because sound levels are too low.

Current Setup:
Mic is plugged into the Pre amp (thru input slot)
Mono (unbalanced) output w/ adapter (from pre amp)is plugged into PC soundcard's input slot.
Monitors are plugged into soundcard's output slot.

Suggestion:
Don't know where to even try to fix this problem. Spent tons of time reading threads that come close but don't help. Can someone please help...I really don't want to go out and by another pre amp.

Also, no wave patterned is generated in Acid. Because sound levels are too low.

Thanks in advance!

Is the phantom power switch turned on at the mic preamp?

 

[JusAuser]

Yea, the phantom power button is pressed in. I see meter action from the preamp on M-Audio control panel as I increase the output on the amp. And theres also meter action when I scream into the mic. Just no sound thru speakers nor is a wave built in Acid (big enough so u could see the sound being recorded), but it does pick up sound. When I gently run my finger across the mic it picks up that sound loud and clear.....

 

[TexRoadkill]

Double check all your volumes in the software. Do you have an input selected for record? I guarantee you it's something simple like that.

 

[JusAuser]

yea, textroadkill ...I have all the inputs for record...and i've been paying attention to the volume levels. But get this, my dynamic mic works fine...actually lovely. The problem is getting my condenser mic to work.
Do you think theres something wrong with my mic?

 

[c7sus]

When you say you "mic is plugged into input slot" on the preamp what does that mean?

Are you using an XLR-XLR mic cable, or an XLR-TRS???

Because the phantom is only available through the XLR input.

 

[BlindCowboy]

XLR - XLR from the Mic to the Art. 1/4 - 1/4 from the Art to the computer. (I think the Audigy has 1/4" inputs. If not then 1/4 - 1/8".)

1st, verify the equipment, then the computer setup. Plug the 1/4" from the Art into the input of your guitar amp. Turn the amp on and see if your still screaming to get a signal through. (Aim the amp AWAY from the 990. If everything's working, you'll still probably feedback like crazy.) If you still have a weak signal, then you know it's in the mic/preamp/cable. If the signals strong, then it's in the soundcard/software.

2nd, you've got a strong signal out of the preamp, so check the configuration for the soundcard. You should be able to direct out from the audigy. Direct out, and hook the output of the sound card to the input of the guitar amp.

Oh, are you using the line level input or the mic input on the soundcard?

If the signal is weak after going in and out of the soundcard, then check the soundcard configurations. Are you set up for -10db or +4db? If you have the option in the soundcard software to change this, then change switch it. Did the signal boost?

On and on, one step at a time....

 

[NYMorningstar]

It does sound like the condensor is the problem. I'd try it with a different pre though before I'd condemn it. Are you using the same chord for the dynamic mic? It may be just the chord is bad.

 

[JusAuser]

OK, NOW THIS DESERVES TO BE IN ALL CAPS!! I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS SOLVED!!

I sent a message to the Art Tube manufacture, and I was informed that I probably was using a unbalanced XLR cable from the mic to the preamp. He also stated that, phantom power cannot be transfered thru an unbalanced XLR cable. So in order to solve the problem I have to go and buy a balanced XLR cable! Also, with further research I discovered that the MXL 990 condenser mic disses out balanced signals.

lol, that would've helped if I knew what I was looking for before hand.

On tha real, I appreciate all of you guys input. I've become a little more educated on this type of problem. Hopefully, I can help you guys out one day. Man, you don't know how frustrated I was!
THANK GOD and THANKS FOR THIS WEB SITE! lol

 

[BlindCowboy]

...the MXL 990 condenser mic disses out balanced signals.

No idea what "disses out balanced signals" Means..

On tha real, I appreciate all of you guys input.

What's real? The balanced input? The microphone? Yes, the microphone is real..

 

[c7sus]

When you say you "mic is plugged into input slot" on the preamp what does that mean?

Are you using an XLR-XLR mic cable, or an XLR-TRS???

Because the phantom is only available through the XLR input.

THEY INFORMED YOU???

Don't you know what kind of cables you're using from point A to point B???

 

[JusAuser]

Blindcowboy-

"On tha real" means, is another term for saying "I"m serious" or "no joking around" etc.

"disses out balanced signals"
I was simply stating that, it sends out signals, "balanced"

C7sus-
No I wasn't aware of exactly the type of cable I was using, because I assumed that there was only one type of XLR cable. As you can see this what I get for assuming. Also, keep in mind, I'm new at all of this. So, I believe it requires some trial and error on my part. Thanks for suggesting the cable situation also. You were on point with that. I recieved your response and the techs response around the same time.


Someone asked to explain the cable issue on another thread here's what I had to say:

Well, I'll try to explain it from my perspective...I did a little more research on XLR cables and come to find out, that it is a such thing as a balanced XLR three conductor cable. So, far I only found 1!

Hosa Belden 110 Coax AES-EBU w/Balanced XLRs
Web address: Click Link

When he first stated balanced, I immediately thought that I had to run it from the mic as a XLR three conductor to the pre amp as a 1/4 inch.

In other words, there are two types of XLR cables in existence. UNBALANCED XLR's with a 1/4" end and one w/ XLR's on both ends. As for the BALANCED same type options. I don't know if I answered your question clearly...but all I know now is that unbalanced don't carry phantom power.

My nonexpert theory:
But it does make sense cause the MXL 990 mic puts out balanced signals and is transfered to mono thru the pre amp to go into my soundcard.

As for before, the mic was loosing signal for trying to push power thru a unbalanced cable. Which could result in a tremendous loss of signal by the time it rreached the soundcard.

My bad, for writing a book, but hopefully u get what I'm trying to say.

 

[c7sus]

The 1/4 jack doesn't carry phantom power either.

I'm not sure what kinda search you're using, but you don't want an AES/EBU cable either.

You can make a cable into any configuration it will support.

There are also XLR> TRS BALANCED cables as well. But again, the 1/4in input on the pre is for an instrument, not a mic, and doesn't have phantom power.

These guys should be able to hook you up:

http://www.8thstreet.com/catalog_type.asp?ProductType=Lo_Z&Category=Microphone&Division=Cables

Just get an XLR>XLR MIC CABLE and go for it.