Volume issue...

[Cyrrus30]

Hi!
I just found out this board, and it seems to be a great place to find answer... I'm still a beginner in home recording, so I do have a couple of problem now and then...

When I record acoustic guitar, as I learned from my little experience, I place a mic in front of it instead of directly pluging the guitar in the mic-in... it used to work great, but now (since I got my new computer), it's not. Volume seems too low, even if I put mic-recording volume to the higher (and with 20db boost on).
How can I make it sound louder?
I use a Shure SM57, I have a soundblaster live! and I record with N-Track...
I tried to use a mixer as a pre-amp (I read here that it may improve), it's a Genexxa. But it sound really bad and sound distortions even at low volume level...
Anyway, it used to work with only the mic (and I loved the result), so it must be a way to make it work again...
I hope I have been clear enough with my problem, and I hope that you guys can help me out!
Prove me that this board is the greatest...
Thanks!

 

[maestro_dmc]

Ahhhh what the heck. . .

Try connecting the mixer to the LINE in of the sound card NOT the mic input!!

Wheeeee!!!!!!! I'm on a roll today!!!

 

[Dani Pace]

I use SB Live too, here's what I did to get it going to suit me...I use a Soundtech STM90 mic positioned over the neck (12th to 15th fret, not directly in front of the sound hole,) then go to a Yamaha MT120 (it serves as a mixer and a preamp) then go out through the monitor outs to the line in on the SB Live. Sometimes I double mic the guitar or use the pickup as well as a mic, depends on the sound I want. I don't recomend any particular brand, but a porta studio or multitrack recorder makes a pretty good mixer/peramp. Also you might need to adjust the master recording volume on your computer, the factory presets could be pretty low. Good luck and keep comming back, someone here can answer just about any question, or help you solve whatever problems you may encounter.

 

[Cyrrus30]

Well, I do plug my mixer in the Line-In... and my recording volume is maxed out (when I use only the mic)...
well, thanks anyway...