Recording sounds terrible!!

[Michaelratliff]

I wasn't sure where this would really belong, so I posted here. The problem I am encountering is when I record my guitar, or vocals, it sounds like its coming through an AM station, or CB radio. I am using a Tascam US122mkii with a Tascam TA 75 Microphone. I am plugged into USB2.0. Computer specs is I3 processor 4MB Ram upgradeable. My soundcard is a realteck HD sound card. I could probably use an upgrade there, but can't see how that would affect the Tascam.
One person told me that the Mic Diaphram could be blown, but I have been careful with it not plugging in while phantom is on, and hasn't been dropped.
Any Ideas?

 

[Seidy]

Um, if you have Tascam US122 then this is (or should be) your primary sound card, that realtek crap is not useful anymore.
Can't find anything by searching the mic, but if it's really cheap one, then it will sound like crap. It could be blown diaphram, this happens sometimes for no reason. I suggest you to try out some other mics (go and rent a sm58 or something).

 

[ecc83]

Since you mention phantom power (which, btw, will NEVER damage a dynamic mic unless the cable is misswired!) can I assume that the mic has an XLR connector on it?

If so it really should not be that bad unless actually faulty (I have two plastic Kareoke horrors wrapped in clingfilm and old socks in the garden capturing the birdies. These sounded quite tolerable on voice into a Teac A3440 tape machine a year ago. I modified them to balanced out and they have been in the garden thru' spring, summer and this awful winter, quite impressed for £1.99 each!) .

Realtek audio: It used to be the case that an instruction was given with soundcards and AIs to disable On Board Sound before installing the new kit. I agree that 99% of the time it does not matter these days but I always suggest it if only to avoid confusions such as this 'ere!

Dave.

 

[Zebeto]

This may be stupid but... do you have a webcam microphone on your pc?
Is it on?