Signal Chain Troubleshoot !Help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter fdubraw
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fdubraw

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So here's my set up:
-MXL Genesis vacuum tube microphone
-Genesis Power Supply
-M-Audio M-Track Plus interface
-Presonus Studio Channel (preamp/signal processor)
-PC (dedicated SSHD for my studio)
Chain:
Mic-->Power Supply-->Interface-->Preamp-->PC
Also, I'm using Mogami Gold chords....if that matters

Ok so here we go. Everything's plugged in. My 2 green lights are lit on the interface, and the LED meter moves when I speak into the mic (so I know the mic works).
1st problem, the preamp meter does not move when speaking into the mic. (Yes the power is on.)
2nd problem, my pc will not receive any audio waves from the mic. I've even cut the preamp from the signal chain to see if my pc would pick up the mic & record and still, FAIL.
I've set my interface as the default playback & recording device. Playback works great! (I also have my M-Audio BX5s plugged into my interface). However, regardless of what DAW I use, I am unable to record anything.
Someone please help!!!!! lol....seriously though HELP!!!!!!!!!!
 
Do you get anything when you turn the interface preamp level all the way up?

Have you routed the interface input to the input channel you are trying to record to?

If you get the same results without the outboard preamp, either the interface is broken/set improperly or there is a setup/routing issue in the daw.
 
Farview said:
Do you get anything when you turn the interface preamp level all the way up?

- No the presonus preamp meter only jumps when I first power it on....

Have you routed the interface input to the input channel you are trying to record to?

-Not entirely sure I understand (here's me showing my noob status lol smdh)...um...the presonus preamp only has 1 input & one output via XLR or TRS

If you get the same results without the outboard preamp, either the interface is broken/set improperly or there is a setup/routing issue in the daw.
Click to expand...

I think it's a routing issue... everything appears to work...
 
Yeah that's what I initially thought, but that chain didn't work either smdh
 
arcaxis said:
"Chain:
Mic-->Power Supply-->Interface-->Preamp-->PC"

Shouldn't you have the preamp be before the interface, as....

Mic-->Power Supply-->Preamp-->Interface-->USB-->PC
Click to expand...


Yeah that's what I initially thought, but that chain didn't work either smdh
 
arcaxis said:
Mic-->Power Supply-->XLR--XLR-->Preamp-->1/4" TRS--TRS-->Guitar/Line Input of Interface-->USB-->PC

- Set interface switch to Mic/Line.
- Set levels on Presonus so VU meter deflects maybe about 1/2 way as a starting point.
- Increase gain on interface so LED bars just occasionally light the yellow. (May need adjust gain on Presonus if the gain control on the interface doesn't adjust the level).
- If you have headphones, check that you have signal on the interface.
- Note: the power supply for the tube mic supplies all power to the mic...you don't need phantom power from the preamp or interface.

As Jay had suggested you could try the setup without the preamp, mic just into the interface, to eliminate part of the signal chain. He also mentioned routing of channels. If you use channel 1 of the interface, it might not be going to channel/track you are recording to.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!!! This makes sense...Ok, so basically I'm missing chords. What brand/model TRS chord do you recommend?
 
I always use proco cables. lifetime warrantee without the monster price. I still use guitar cables I bought in the late 1980's. Good stuff.

Btw the only cords you have are power cords. You have xlr, instrument and speaker cables.

It's also cord, not chord. A chord is the musical term, a cord is a power cable.
 
Farview said:
I always use proco cables. lifetime warrantee without the monster price. I still use guitar cables I bought in the late 1980's. Good stuff.

Btw the only cords you have are power cords. You have xlr, instrument and speaker cables.

It's also cord, not chord. A chord is the musical term, a cord is a power cable.
Click to expand...

LMAO ok...can we get back to responses from ppl who have not only sense, but FOCUS on the issue. My grammatical errors are not my concern right now, and nothing you've posted has been beneficial to me in any way....Where's @Arcaxis at?? lol

Oh and PS...I have more than just power CORDS plugged in sir. Thanks for your 2 cents though
 
I suppose the grammar thing was a bit dick-ish, but you really should check out Pro-co cables.

Have you got it working yet?
 
Power chords? They went out in 1987. If people want to be taken seriously they should take the time to ensure that their comments make sense. FOCUS was a great band, but the yodeling got old after a while.:D
 
fdubraw said:
LMAO ok...can we get back to responses from ppl who have not only sense, but FOCUS on the issue. My grammatical errors are not my concern right now, and nothing you've posted has been beneficial to me in any way....Where's @Arcaxis at?? lol

Oh and PS...I have more than just power CORDS plugged in sir. Thanks for your 2 cents though
Click to expand...

Really? Scorn it as you may, you will have absorbed what Farview told you and will probably use the correct term next time you ask a question - and if you can't get a signal to your PC, you will be asking more questions - and so whatever you ask next, here or some other board because you get butthurt, or because your attitude here pisses everyone off and no-one will help you, will make more sense.

All knowledge is good. Grab it irrespective of your opinion of the means of delivery and treat those who give it to you for nix with respect.

Welcome. Play nice.:thumbs up:
 
Armistice said:
Really? Scorn it as you may, you will have absorbed what Farview told you and will probably use the correct term next time you ask a question - and if you can't get a signal to your PC, you will be asking more questions - and so whatever you ask next, here or some other board because you get butthurt, or because your attitude here pisses everyone off and no-one will help you, will make more sense.

All knowledge is good. Grab it irrespective of your opinion of the means of delivery and treat those who give it to you for nix with respect.

Welcome. Play nice.:thumbs up:
Click to expand...

Lol I actually forgot about this site after getting everything to work properly. It's all good Farview...um, yeah...this guy lol. So I guess it'd be alright for me to correct you on your grammar then. Ha! Anyways, thanks to those who helped. No excuses needed for my incorrect usage of terms....*some ppl really need a life* PEACE
 
Hmmm......sign up ask a question for free advice and forget.......ok......I'm missing something here but I forgot what it was......:)
 
fdubraw said:
LMAO ok...can we get back to responses from ppl who have not only sense, but FOCUS on the issue. My grammatical errors are not my concern right now, and nothing you've posted has been beneficial to me in any way....Where's @Arcaxis at?? lol

Oh and PS...I have more than just power CORDS plugged in sir. Thanks for your 2 cents though
Click to expand...

I mean this politely but correct grammar and spelling are beneficial to communication. You may have been missing some chords but it seemed irrelevant to the point at hand... missing cords is another ball of wax...

Back to the subject, try the mic into the interface just to make eliminations. There should be nothing wrong with the M-Track Plus that requires a preamp. It has preamps built in that should work fine. At the end of the day, the quality of the output of the preamp (should you decide it necessary) is going to be as good as the output of the M-Track Plus preamps. Go straight in and simplify the signal path...
 
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