Why Is My Mic Level So Low?

[beefeater267]

Hey,

I'm trying some recording of my amplifier and i find that my mic audio is so low. my gear is:

Fender Blues Jr
Shure SM57
ART MPA Gold Mic Preamp

Basically, i have the mic about 2 inches dead center in front of the amp and with i have to crank all the knobs on the preamp.

the preamp has an input gain and i need to put that around +40dB
the preamp has an audio output knob and i need to put that around +10dB
Those are maxed out for the values.
In addition, I have to toggle the +20dB switch as well

Is this normal? I heard that Shure SM57 are low sensitivity mics... but, i didn't think that low.

Any opinions?

 

[Sloan]

Something's definitely wrong here.

Is your guitar amp turned up loud?

 

[hungovermorning]

Sounds like a bad cable/connection. There's no reason it should be that low, seems liek an issue you'd have with a hi Z mic. It's not the mic or the amp, something in the chain, just time to start troubleshooting. Good luck!

 

[MadAudio]

See my reply in the "Recording Techniques" topic.

And please don't cross-post - it's considered poor "netiquette" here.