Recording signal weak....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ultimate Garage
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Ultimate Garage

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I have been using my J-station as an fx slave in the fx loop of my PSA1, but I've just purchased an ART ECC (multifx unit/stomp box) and now that I've separated the J-station and PSA, the PSA's signal is not that hot going in to record.

My chain: instrument--->Sansamp PSA 1 w/ART ECC in the fx loop OR Johnson J-Station--->M-Audio Omni Studio (Channel 3 is left, 4 is right)--->M-Audio Delta 66 sound card--->acidPro 3.0

I'll edit stuff in Sound Forge 6.0.

With everything maxed out on the Omni and the Delta 66 mixer, I'm hitting about -12db on the acid recording meter. Needless to say, that's not loud enough. Recorded wave files look like a line w/tiny bumps on it instead of a nice, big, fat wave. The only thing I can do to boost the signal is go up on the 'level' on the PSA or the 'Output' on the ECC, but those both yeild yucky results in hard, digital, clipping, overdriven mess.

What can I do/use/get to give me a CLEAN 12db boost in the signal? Cheap. Is this where a pre amp would come in handy? Like this?:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...l/base_id/59793

Would I then add this to my chain right up front; plug the instrument into it and then that goes on to the PSA or J?
 
Have you setup your delta 66 to expect a -10db signal rather than a +4db signal (there should be a setting somewhere in the software mixer)?

If you have done that already, you could also try plugging your gear into the omni's preamps (channels 1/2 I am guessing) and using those to increase the gain.
 
I'll have to check the Delta mixer's set up and I'll repatch the PSA to go into 1 and 2 so I can try our the gains on it. Thanks!
 
I tried running the PCA into 1 and 2 since those channels have the mic pre's and IT WORKS!!! In fact, those two channels have a -10db pad button on them and I have it off. The gain for each channel is only on about '3'. Is there an advantage to clicking the pad on and then increasing the gain? Weee! I recorded some test junk and got a great signal!! I can even clip and feedback if I want to!!

The worst news out of the last two evenings is that my elcheapo GE shelf boombox stereo from the early 80's is starting to die. Both nights the right channel keeps going in and out. So, I guess I better move powered monitor speakers up a notch on the 'must have' list.

Thanks for all the help!

Hey, I just noticed my name is too short! It's supposed to be Ultimate Garage Band.
 
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