Problems with recording vocals on FL Studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter kasim
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kasim

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Ive got a Shure SM57 hooked up to my fast track c400. I've managed to set up the audio interface correctly through fl studio. I think the gain is the problem. This might be because when I speak really closely to the mic, the bars seem to move in the mixer, but only very slightly. Meaning that my voice is detected but I need to speak very loudly for it to hear me (barely).

Also, I keep getting these 2 error messages at the start -

the needed sample rate (44100hz) couldnt be set or is not supported by the ASIO driver
please try another sample rate.

and

not enough ASIO output channels available. At least 2 channels are needed.

Completely new to this, I appreciate any help.
 
1) Make sure you have the up-to-date drivers downloaded for the Fast Track
2) Not familiar with FL Studio, but in all DAWs you need to select the ouput path, this shoudl be to your Fasttrack - make sure you have selcted it.
 
I believe if you hit F10 and go to audio devices you should be able to select the interface as an option as opposed to just a generic ASIO driver or the built in sound card.
 
Hi Kasim,
did you install the AI drivers correctly? As with most usb devices you must install the software BEFORE you plug in the hardware. Then, you often have to run the installation 2, maybe 3 times. Also download the divers afress and delete the old ones.

I too am not FL savvy so I suggest you install Audacity or Reaper and see if they work. If they do then there is a foible to FS yet to find!

Dave.
 
Installed the drivers again and still seem to have the same problem. Errors pop up and mic struggles to recieve signal even at max gain. I am going to be installing a different DAW, possibly Reaper, I'll look in to the DAWs that are beginner friendly.
 
A lot of usb interfaces only provide marginal amounts of gain (40db) and dynamic mics like the 57 need a lot of gain.

You might want to get a Cloudlifter (which provides 25db of extra gain) or think about a condenser mic.
 
TimOBrien said:
A lot of usb interfaces only provide marginal amounts of gain (40db) and dynamic mics like the 57 need a lot of gain.

You might want to get a Cloudlifter (which provides 25db of extra gain) or think about a condenser mic.
Click to expand...

I will do if necessary, however I found these specs for my interface:

Mic Inputs (A/D)

Mic Input Impedance:2.2k ohms unbalanced, 4.4k ohms balanced
Maximum Input Level:+2dBu unpadded, +22dBu padded
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk< -110dB
SNR (min gain, no pad):-106dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range (min gain, no pad):106dB, A-weighted
THD+N (min gain, no pad):0.0020% (-94dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Frequency Response:20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.2dB
Preamp Gain :50dB
Pad:-20dB pad
EIN (150R): -127dB

Still unsure whether gain is a problem, the specs are confusing.
 
The relevant figure there is the 50db which isn't terrible but isn't massive.
60-65 is thrown about as a good general figure for dynamic mics on moderate sources like speech/vocals.
Still, try it and see what happens; You know the options now.
 
kasim said:
I will do if necessary, however I found these specs for my interface:

Mic Inputs (A/D)

Mic Input Impedance:2.2k ohms unbalanced, 4.4k ohms balanced
Maximum Input Level:+2dBu unpadded, +22dBu padded
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk< -110dB
SNR (min gain, no pad):-106dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range (min gain, no pad):106dB, A-weighted
THD+N (min gain, no pad):0.0020% (-94dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Frequency Response:20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.2dB
Preamp Gain :50dB
Pad:-20dB pad
EIN (150R): -127dB

Still unsure whether gain is a problem, the specs are confusing.
Click to expand...

Specs are MEANT to be confusing these days!
Time was when they were written by proper engineers who knew WTF they were at.
Now mostly done by the adpuff dept.

For instance. That mic pre gain figure of 50dB means jack unless you know what input level produces XdBFS in the DAW. Since you can take the output of most dynamics to be about 5mV for hearty yodelling at 6inches and maybe 0.5mV for an acoustic guitar at a foot, one knows what one is gonna get!

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Specs are MEANT to be confusing these days!
Time was when they were written by proper engineers who knew WTF they were at.
Now mostly done by the adpuff dept.

For instance. That mic pre gain figure of 50dB means jack unless you know what input level produces XdBFS in the DAW. Since you can take the output of most dynamics to be about 5mV for hearty yodelling at 6inches and maybe 0.5mV for an acoustic guitar at a foot, one knows what one is gonna get!

Dave.
Click to expand...

So... you think I need a cloudlifter?
 
Komplete : Audio Interfaces : Komplete Audio 6 : Specifications | Products

Those ^ are rather more honest and useful specifications.
I have done some tests: SM57 into the above into an HP i3 Laptop running, in this instance. MAGIX Samplitude Silvercloud. (win 7/64)

Mic gain at max (see spec!) and a CD diameter under my nose.
"Mary had......." averaged -27to -24dBFs and at 24 bits, a perfectly usable recording level. The green signal LED on the KA6 was blinking merrily.
Parked mic on a seat (this done in my living room) about 1.5 mtrs from me and laptop.
Level dropped to -70 with blips to -63dBFS.
Mic unplugged (gain max) -76dBFS
" " " min -90dBFS (bang on spec!)

Hope that helps.

The furkin engine moves my carefully crafted text around! Hope it all makes sense.

Dave.
 
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