why is my monitor and playback level so low?

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noahallen18

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i bought a tascam us800 and i have a 16 channel macki analog mixer, when trying to record its very quiet on play back and live monitoring if i try to run the mixer any hotter it distors the sound so i though it might be the mixer so i went straight into the tascam and the same result what am i doing wrong i need help.:eek:
 
Hiya.
What are you trying to record?
Check each gain stage for correct level through your signal path.

Set mackie master faders to unity.
Use the PFL switch in the mackie to set correct input gain on each channel.
Raise faders on each input channel to unity - or wherever you need them in the mix - but back them off if they are running into the red.
Turn up inputs on tascam interface until overload lights up then back off.
Level into your computer should never clip - turn down tascam inputs if they are (or bring mackie master faders down if you can't turn tascam pots down any further)

The raw recording levels should never reach 0dbFS - always leave headroom. You can raise the levels later when you are able to control the dynamics of the recording during mixdown.
 
ok ive done a little of those things it seems even directly out of monitor output on tascam that is quiet and not enough to really hear the guitar well , then i by passed the mackie altogether and went no effect just straight guitar into the tascam and it was slightly better but not where i know it could be from watching other people with the same equip because of this issue ive never go to the mix down stage. it looks as though i need some serious helpw ith this.
 
I'm at a loss to work out what the problem is.

To trouble shoot, first work out if the levels going into and coming out of the mackie all ok. Being a mixer, it should be able to handle all types of inputs from mic to line level. If you plug headphones into the mackie and play the guitar, can you hear the signal nice & loud?
If not, then that's the first thing to try to fix.

Are you DI-ing the guitar or micing it?
If using a mic, try the old "one two" test and see where the recording levels are in your software (which software are you using - maybe there's someone on the forum who can help you with that side of things?)
If using a condenser mic, make sure you have sent phantom power to it from the mixer.
if DI-ing, get a fresh battery, turn the guitar volume all the way up (if there is a volume adjust) and try again.

If all is in order and the signal is nice and loud going into and coming out of the mixer, then plug the outputs into the tascam and check the levels in the software. Turn the gain up on the channel inputs of the tascam until the signal is at a good average level in the software.
Also - consult the tascam manual which may list connection tips to follow.

Best of luck!!
 
Just to be sure, recording and mixing levels will always be a lot quieter than a commercial recording; That's normal.
You should be able to just turn the monitors up to compensate though.

Does itunes/media player play back at a normal level?
If not, are your monitors powered and do they have a gain or sensitivity knob round the back of them?


Also is it an electric guitar, and where are you plugging it in?
Are you using a DI input, rather than a line input?
 
well ive been using an electric guitar (epiphone les paul custom shop 2) and im going from the guitar to the line in on the mixer, and then out of the left and right outputs to the 1 and 2 mic/line in on the tascam, and yes itunes/mediaplayer/spotify all play normal levels ... also after i have recorded a guitar rift the playback through my headphones the volume is low i have studio monitors and they are powered and a volume knob on it, but if i play somthing on guitar and run my head phones over to my drum set to play something with it the play pack is low and i have everythign maxed out on play back it makes no sense to me.
 
What kind of recording level are you getting in your software - and what software are you using? [edit - Just looked up the us800 & I'm presuming it's the version of Cubase shipped with the tascam unit?]

..hang on - is it just in your headphones that the volume is low? If you play your recorded tracks out of your speakers is it loud? (As Steenamaroo points out - it doesn't have to be as loud as mastered music, but you should be able to get a decent recording level and, therefore, a workable playback level)
 
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the recording level in the software is almost peaking out and clipping, and the software is cubase 5
 
The problem is your set up. Electric guitar requires a strong preamp (that's what's in the 'front' of any guitar amp. You need to put that signal into an Instrument input. Luckily, the US800 lets you do that - plug into one of the front XLR/1/4" inputs (channel 1 or 2). Maybe you plugged into one of the rear Line In inputs?

Edited to add:
Sorry, I didn't see your comment about recording levels. Are you monitoring from your US800? Is the playback volume low with both headphones and monitor speakers? Do you have the volume controls on the front panel turned up? Did you open up the US800 mixer software and make sure level controls are turned up?
 
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noahallen18 said:
the recording level in the software is almost peaking out and clipping, and the software is cubase 5
Click to expand...

Ok cool - so your recording level is working fine! Next thing to troubleshoot is your playback level from the software. Turn on your speakers and see if you can hear your tracks at a good enough level to work with. If they are ridiculously quiet as well, then your problem is with the playback level of your software. [edit - if you play an itunes track, then switch to Cubase, the cubase tracks are going to be quieter, but should still be able to hear fairly well]
If they are loud enough, then the issue is something to do with the headphone connection.
 
Is there any chance the guitar is loud while your recording, but quiet on playback?

Sounds like you might be direct monitoring.

AFAIK, the software mixer has an option for direct monitoring. Look for that and see if it's on.
 
yea the monitor volume knob on the front of the tascam panel is turned al the way up, its better in the ehadphones that way, but you say there is a playback volume level in cubase ? that will turn it up ?
 
noahallen18 said:
you say there is a playback volume level in cubase ? that will turn it up ?
Click to expand...

Sort of, but not quite.
I'm only going on what I read so this might be off, but the tascam software mixer has a direct monitoring option.

Direct monitoring is usually a volume balance between the live stream that you're recording, and the playback from your DAW.

Usually if it's set to 100% direct, you won't hear pre recorded tracks (or live effects), but you'll hear stuff as you record it.

IDK, It might be worth a google.
 
ok im reading through the manual now for the tascam us800 .. i guess i would be direct monitoring i dont have my studio monitors hooked up , just studio headphones hooked up through the 1/4 inch headphone ouput on the front of the tascam ... i dont have anything in the red/white rca direct outs on the back of it this could be my issue the level i am getting through the headphones isnt very loud and start clippin way before ive reached the max of volume the head phones can handle befor they start distorting so this could be my issue right? if so ill switch over to monitor out of my studio monitors , but the head phone level will still be low.. so i guess i need to play with the mixer setting in the tascam software
 
The direct monitoring output on the US800 is very low. You'll probably need a headphone amp. I tried plugging my headphones into it when I first got my Us800 and never bothered with it again.
 
I have my headphones (Sony MDR-V900) plugged into my US800 with plenty of volume. never turn the knob past 12 o'clock.
 
I havent yet , i keep forgetting to get my sure betta drum mic kit out of my sound trailer i also own a sound / light production company. So i figured i would get into the recording side. Im starting to wonder if i should or shouldnt i went into my computer system though and made the tascam us800 my sound device for everything and i got excellant volume with it like that .. Its just when i record its just very low maybey its just me .. I should prolly get outside noise cancelling headphone to record with.
 
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