Plugging Sennheiser e835 into Mac with a Cable Converter

[theflowerenigma]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and home recording, so I'd really appreciate if you guys could help me out and maybe break it down into plain ol' English for someone completely new to this, like myself.

So what I have as a setup is a Sennheiser e835 mic, plugged straight into my Macbook Pro's mic jack with a mic XLR cable and a converter. The sounds I have recorded on Garageband is way too soft - I basically have to raise my voice and max the computer's speakers just to hear anything. I've tried recording a guitar but it's barely registering.

I've done what I think I need to do - like going to System Preferences and adjusting the input level. I've also done this for the Audio/MIDI Setup in Utilities as well.

So I'd really love advice on what I'm doing wrong or what I'd have to get.

Thanks!

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hi there,
If system profiler is to be believed on my 2011 MBP, the input is actually a line input, not a microphone input.

If this is the case with your MBP, then it explains your problem, because line level is a lot hotter than mic level.
Basically, your mic doesn't present a high enough voltage to the line input.
Conventionally, a preamp is used to amplify mic level to line level.


Really, you have three options, in order of what I'd recommend.
Buy a USB microphone.
Buy an audio interface which goes straight into usb/firewire.
Buy a preamp (Mic->preamp->line input).

If you plan to expand in the future and use more than one mic at a time, I wouldn't recommend a USB mic,
but if you think it may be OK for you, you could probably sell your current mic for a USB one and break even-ish.

Hope that helps.

 

[theflowerenigma]

Hi there!

Ah, i see. You're definitely right with the line input there - I honestly didn't think it'd make much of a difference. Thanks for that.

I've also heard of a stereo-USB converter. Would that work instead? If not I'll be looking at affordable audio interfaces to get.

Thanks for helping out, it's clear now!

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hmm, I've seen things like the blue icicle recommended here before. It basically is an interface; It's just an incredibly simple one.
Maybe that's similar to what you're describing?


I have no first hand experience with things like that though, so I'm afraid I'll have to leave you to it!

Best of luck, and welcome to the forums.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Here's simple. Real mics *don't* plug directly into computers. The mic input in a computer is meant for a computer mic, which, without exception, is cheap junk that sucks. Every signal chain involving a mic and a computer needs the following: a microphone, a microphone preamp, a source of phantom power if the mic requires it (usually just condensers), and an analog to digital (A-D) converter.

The sound card in your computer has an awful preamp and mediocre A-D conversion. Here are the solutions:

1. a USB mic. This is a mic with a built in preamp and A-D converter. Both are guaranteed to be cheap and not very good, with one exception (that costs *thousands*).

2. A mic to USB converter (example- B.L.U.E. Icicle) This is the same as above, but you can use it with any mic. Still sucks, but more versatile.

3. A mic preamp. This is a waste of good money for you, because it will still use the cruddy A-D converter in your sound card, and will be run through your awful preamp on it's way to the A-D converter.


4. A microphone/recording interface. This is the best solution without totally breaking the bank. This contains mic preamp(s) and an A-D converter, usually with a headphone jack, and an output for monitor speakers. A decent one is about 200 bones. I like Line 6 UX-2 and M-Audio Fast Track, but there are bizillions of options. There are other ways to record, but pretty much, those are the standard routes from a mic to a computer. My favorite small solution is Zoom H4n, which is a 4 track digital recorder with built in mics that records to SD cards and can also be used as a computer interface. It's about $300. It can also use whatever other mics you want, and provides phantom power. It runs on batteries, off wall current with a converter, or from USB power when used as an interface.


You have to crawl before you can walk, and note that preamps and A-D converters used in professional studios often run $1000+ per channel. Are they better than a cheap interface? Yes, if you can afford them. Good luck. We're there for you.