ULTRA low input volume levels driving me insane! Please HELP!

[Xpred]

How about a 1/8 to 1/4 adapter for the computer mic or a radio with a line out?

As you said in the original post You originally thought it was the microphone a long shot but what if both mics are damaged? You said they came in a set.

When you plug the mic into the fire box and turn the Gain all the way up yell at the microphone do you see the clip light come on?

A friend suggested that problem to me also. I have no adapters. But the strange thing is when I brought it to GC, the mics were fine. They weren't damaged at all. The levels were fine. But when I turn the gain up and yell into the microphone, I see no clipping light flash or change or anything. Strange, eh?

 

[bigwillz24]

A friend suggested that problem to me also. I have no adapters. But the strange thing is when I brought it to GC, the mics were fine. They weren't damaged at all. The levels were fine. But when I turn the gain up and yell into the microphone, I see no clipping light flash or change or anything. Strange, eh?

Did they use your XLR cable or one of theres?

The cable you have is balanced right?

XLR on both ends?

 

[Xpred]

Did they use your XLR cable or one of theres?

The cable you have is balanced right?

XLR on both ends?

I bought the XLR cable from them. We used the EXACT SAME one when we tested on their machine. The XLR cable is on both ends and says balanced. It is from the LiveWire brand.

 

[bigwillz24]

Okay now I'm really stumped You say you are using the exact same items (not bought the exact same items) that you used in guitar center minus the computer and everything worked flawlessly there.

The fact that you can yell into the microphone with the gain at 100%, Phantom power on and see no clip light suggests the mic or cable...

Dumb question but the cable is secure in both the mic and the preamp correct?

Try the other channel same thing?

 

[Xpred]

Yep, both secured into the cable. I used the same mic, same cable, same preamp (FireWire Solo) when I tested it at GC because I wanted to return everything alltogether. But then I realized maybe it was the preamp, so I switched the preamp with something better and kept the cable/mic that I originally bought.

 

[bigwillz24]

Yeah dude I call presonus that is the wierdest shit I ever heard of.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help...

But don't give up on recording you'll get it running.

 

[Xpred]

Yeah dude I call presonus that is the wierdest shit I ever heard of.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help...

But don't give up on recording you'll get it running.

Yeah, thanks a lot bro. I know you're trying to help me. I really appreciate it. I REALLY REALLY want to get this thing going too!

 

[Bulls Hit]

Just for the hell of it, I would uninstall your firebox drivers, disable your other soundcard in the bios, then reinstall the firebox & see what happens

 

[Xpred]

Alright guys. I think I ruled out the problem of it being the mics or cable issue. I took the same cable and mics over to my friend's house and tried it on his interface and laptop. It seemed to work fine with higher volume levels. So I believe it is a matter of perhaps my two computers doing something wrong or something messed up. I'm still waiting to call PreSonus tech support on Monday since they aren't open on weekends, especially Christmas day. I'm hoping if I can resolve it when I call them... If not, I guess I'll just have to return everything.

I haven't tried your solution yet Bull, but I figure it wouldn't be too useful because I wouldn't have sound playback regardless if somehow it magically worked or not.

 

[punkjaso]

i just got the firepod for xmas and in testing it out it seems to have low volumes on things too. I haven't tried mics yet because i dont have a xlr cable at the moment but running my acoustic and bass in the line input even with phantom power turned all the way up the thing is only at half way volume and doesnt even clip. Not sure what the problem is hope i don't have to take this back.

 

[Xpred]

i just got the firepod for xmas and in testing it out it seems to have low volumes on things too. I haven't tried mics yet because i dont have a xlr cable at the moment but running my acoustic and bass in the line input even with phantom power turned all the way up the thing is only at half way volume and doesnt even clip. Not sure what the problem is hope i don't have to take this back.

Ahh... I have the FIREBOX like I've said before. I believe it is more of a computer problem. Because regardless of how many preamps I use (I've already tested the FireWire Solo and using the Firebox now), and I still have ultra low inputs. I think I have ruled out my mics/cables being the problem because I tested it on another system at my friend's house, and it worked fine. I also tested it at GC with the exact same equipment. It worked fine. Maybe it just doesn't work on SOME systems and works on others? I dunno. Oh well.

 

[Xpred]

Here's an update, folks... For all those who are still interested in helping me (heh ) After calling PreSonus Tech Support, they don't know whats up. They've said it's the weirdiest problem they've faced. I guess I'm out of luck, guys. I've tried everything. The problem they noted is that when I record, even at 75% Gain and +12db boost, I only get levels around -25.5 to -30.... and that is if I put my mouth DIRECTLY up to the mic (!)... This is EXTREMELY low for that much gain and boost... I've tried endless solutions and still no problem fixed. I'm really sure it's some kind of computer problem, because it works on some, and doesn't work on others (like my one, and my other one) I think I'm gonna finally return everything and give up just recording. Oh well, I'm out. Latez!

 

[ukenstein]

My Firebox is in the +12db mode with the preamp gain up about 85% which results in a 0db input into my daw software (Tracktion). It takes some loud acoustic effort to see the clip indicator light up.

I was told by Presonus that this is normal. Now I'm wondering.

I'm using a MXL 990 mic. I was hopeful for more preamp
gain from this unit.

Does this sound acceptable to you guys?

 

[Walking-Lucid]

I wonder... Xpred, whats your powersupply wattage rating? I have never seen it before but maybe the card isnt drawing enough power... You may not think it but computer components require a ***** load of power.


Can somebody explain how this card hooks up? I dont have enough time to look it up but if it is PCI than maybe or actully it has to be your motherboard, and if its usb/firewire than it could be that you either have a bad cable or yet again, your motherboard is bad.


Im sorry if somebody mentioned this already but I didnt have the time to read through all the posts.



Wish you luck -

Tony

 

[Xpred]

Well, I am pretty sure my PSU is fine. I have a 350W Antec SmartPower PSU... It's not too cheap, but not ultra godlike. But I have built many computers, so I know a lot about computer hardware. My computer was custom built 3.5 years ago... But anyways, I realized that both of my computers have the VIA OHCI FireWire chips... maybe PreSonus doesn't work that well with VIA chipsets and maybe something better like Texas Instruments (TI)? Do you guys have VIA or TI or something else with your PreSonus models?

 

[Crash ©]

Have ya tried the Cubase program that came with the Firebox..?? I noticed in the Firebox System requirements on the website Goldwave and Soundforge aren't listed as having been tested.. You've checked out the hardware with the Mac and it's working Ok... I doubt it's an XP issue or it would be a known problem by now as many of the Fireboxes as there are out there now... You've got plenty of processor power to pull off what you're wanting to do, so I don't think it's anything performance related.. Could be Firewire chipset problems, Presonus may be one of those that only likes TI chipset Firewire..

Outside of it being something set wrong in your recording app, I'd try and hook your speakers up to the Firebox and use that for your sound out. You can pick up a 1/8 - 1/4 adapter up at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. Just plug it into the headphone out and see what you get. Or go on and get the adapter cables you need to hook up to the main out on the Firebox.

Outside of that.. Get Presonus Tech support on the horn and see what they suggest.. In THEORY they should know the product the best.. Of course it may take 2 or 3 calls to get a tech that's on top of it...

Good luck with it...

--
Rob

 

[Xpred]

Have ya tried the Cubase program that came with the Firebox..?? I noticed in the Firebox System requirements on the website Goldwave and Soundforge aren't listed as having been tested.. You've checked out the hardware with the Mac and it's working Ok... I doubt it's an XP issue or it would be a known problem by now as many of the Fireboxes as there are out there now... You've got plenty of processor power to pull off what you're wanting to do, so I don't think it's anything performance related.. Could be Firewire chipset problems, Presonus may be one of those that only likes TI chipset Firewire..

Outside of it being something set wrong in your recording app, I'd try and hook your speakers up to the Firebox and use that for your sound out. You can pick up a 1/8 - 1/4 adapter up at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. Just plug it into the headphone out and see what you get. Or go on and get the adapter cables you need to hook up to the main out on the Firebox.

Outside of that.. Get Presonus Tech support on the horn and see what they suggest.. In THEORY they should know the product the best.. Of course it may take 2 or 3 calls to get a tech that's on top of it...

Good luck with it...

--
Rob

I have been talking with PreSonus Tech Support for the past week. They are still working on it with me. Oh well.

 

[Crash ©]

Yeah, kept reading and found page two of this thread after I posted.. D'oh..!!

You hooked hard on going Firewire..?? Have you looked at the Lexicon Omega as an alternative..?? It'll give you 4 channels via USB... Price is the same as the Firebox..

--
Rob

 

[Xpred]

Well, I wanted to stick with FireWire as I hear it is way better. But I guess if it still doesn't work out, I'll have to do something else...

 

[Crash ©]

I think it's just better because of the higher transfer rates... You've got 24bit/96khz recording on both of these units.. As long as you're not exceeding the transfer rates you should not be able to tell a difference... With only 4 channels in you shouldn't hit a ceiling.. I don't know if either of these will allow you to monitor 2 channels out at the same time though.. There's enough headroom on the firewire to do it, not sure about the USB.. Even though USB 2.0 is running 480mbps and the Firewire at 400mbps, the firewire will come out on top due to the differences in architecture.. Firewire having intelligent devices that assist it controlling data flow, bus conflicts, etc... With USB, the computer itself controls all data flow, conflicts, etc. and slows data flow down because of the extra system overhead. So with the USB devices you need more system "UMPH" to pull off the same tricks... Either way it beats trying to use a 9600bps com port..