Weak signal from audio interface mic pre?

[stratmansblues]

I am trying to record an acoustic guitar with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP with a Rode M3 Condenser Microphone. I am using logic express on a macbook pro. I have the gain almost maxed on the first input with phantom power engaged. I have a mic pointed at about 6-8 inches from where the body meets the neck of the guitar and I am only getting about -12 db at the peaks. Is it typical to need an external preamp to record sensitive acoustic instruments? I am able to record vocals with my perception 220 with the gain at about 6-7 on the dial with plenty of input.

 

[bstarstudios]

Is it typical to need an external preamp to record sensitive acoustic instruments? I am able to record vocals with my perception 220 with the gain at about 6-7 on the dial with plenty of input.

to my knowledge you shouldn't need a pre amp, i run a mlx v88 or 991 into a firepod and it can pick up acoustic well, granted i need the gain up a bit more than with vocals and such. maybe the m3 is a lower output than my mxl's im not sure.

 

[stratmansblues]

Could it be possible the rode mic (142 db max spl) is too weak for acoustic miking with the onboard preamps?

 

[bstarstudios]

that could be the case, seems high enough output though. i cant pinpoint anything here that might be the cause, hmm.

 

[gecko zzed]

Could it be possible the rode mic (142 db max spl) is too weak for acoustic miking with the onboard preamps?

No, it is not possible.

The Rode should deliver adequate signal going straight in the mike inputs of the Saffire.

If you are not getting enough signal, check the path. Try a different cable. Try the mike somewhere else. Try a different channel.

 

[moresound]

Almost sounds as if you have a pad engaged along the way in the signal path of the rode.

 

[stratmansblues]

I found the problem. The pres on the saffire didn't have enough gain for my uses. No pad was engaged on the interface or the mic. I got a firestudio mobile and I have a lot more gain available and am getting a much better signal. I contacted Focusrite and they said the gain range on the saffire is -10 to 55 db. The range on the firestudio mobile is -10 to 70 db.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

...and I am only getting about -12 db at the peaks..

Still, that's not necessarily a problem, unless you have a lot of background noise somewhere in your system - I rarely track much hotter than that. Clean headroom, man. Especially if you're working in 24-bit, there's really no need to get even close to -0db.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

I have a mic pointed at about 6-8 inches from where the body meets the neck of the guitar and I am only getting about -12 db at the peaks.

Why do you need more than that? Granted, something is probably not working right since you should be able to get more. But you need to rethink your recording procedure if you're trying to capture a single acoustic guitar much hotter than -12.

Unless of course the whole song is nothing but acoustic guitar.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

Why do you need more than that? Granted, something is probably not working right since you should be able to get more. But you need to rethink your recording procedure if you're trying to capture a single acoustic guitar much hotter than -12.

Unless of course the whole song is nothing but acoustic guitar.

Even then, that's enough for tracking - you could add a couple db in in your DAW if you wanted, but there's no reason you couldn't send in a file peaking at -12db for mastering.

 

[lank81]

I found the problem. The pres on the saffire didn't have enough gain for my uses. No pad was engaged on the interface or the mic. I got a firestudio mobile and I have a lot more gain available and am getting a much better signal. I contacted Focusrite and they said the gain range on the saffire is -10 to 55 db. The range on the firestudio mobile is -10 to 70 db.

55 db should be more than enough for the RODE and even dynamics. Maybe...Maybe an SM7b would need more gain but maybe not. Also, there's nothing wrong with only going up to -12db with your track. Like others have said, unless it's the main guitar part you'd probably want less. You might be happier with the Presonus gear over Focusrite in the end but I've used either.