Static on my Shure SM58?

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Crow_

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I was informed in another thread that I was recording too hot with my mixer, so now I've been recording at a level of -20dB. However, I continue to have problems with microphone related things. For one, if I don't record with a stereo miking technique, the quality doesn't sound too great.

The problem I need help with, though, is the volume. I'm using a Peavey PV14 mixer's line outs into my computer's line-in, which works great. But, when I plug in either of my two Shure SM58's, the volume is incredibly quiet. I have the mixer's master volume at -0, and I mess with the individual channels to get the volume where I want it to be. For the guitars this is simple - I make sure they peak at -20dB. When I do this with the mics though, the recording has a lot of background hum/static.

The mixer has a built-in mic preamp, so I'm not sure why there is so much static and hum. I do not have either the static or hum when I record guitars. For reference, my latest try I had the gain at 5 and the volume at -0, and the master volume was still at -0. The mic was peaking at -30dB at this level.

Help/advice would be appreciated.
 
Using line in on a computer soundcard is far less than ideal, but if that's what you have to work with, lets see.

First, do you get the static/hum if you use the line out of the mixer into another amp. Try a boom box or something. This will isolate if it's the mic/mixer or if it's mixer/soundcard.

Also, what type of cable or you using for the SM58, XLR or is it a 1/4". An unbalanced mic cable can make a big difference. Remember, the signal from the mic down the cable is extremely weak, that's why you need a preamp just to get it to a line level signal.
 
Hm, there's no static if I have it output to an amp. I'm using XLR cables.

Is the line-in really far less than ideal? My soundcard is 24-bit at 96KHz. I don't know any other ways to record digitally - I tried a M-AUDIO Fast Track Pro 'cause I thought USB might be better, but it was terrible.
 
Addition: Nevermind, there is static on the amp.

I think it might because of the way I'm outputting from the mixer. I don't have a 1/4" Y-Cable to a 1/8" jack so instead I plugged a phono-Y cable with two 1/4" adapters into the left/right outs. I didn't think adapters would cause a problem - do they? Also, would it be better to use tape outs instead?
 
OK, so the mixer is the cause of the static, and your soundcard is just picking that up. First thing, like I mentioned, you should be using an XLR cable for the mic.

Line out and tape out are probably the same signal so it won't matter. As far as the adapters, you really don't have much choice. That's why an interface is much better than a soundcard. It's meant for low noise. !/8" jacks on a comsumer soundcard just don't have the quality for recording.

Start with the mic cable and see if that helps.

Good Luck
 
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