Why is my MXL 2003A so quiet?!

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cloudyman2

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Hey all, I just purchased my first microphone, an MXL 2003A, and my first interface, a Lexicon Lambda. I have phantom power on and the levels all the way up on the Lambda, but for some reason the signal from the mic is VERY quiet and barely audible.. anyone know what's going on? I'm frustrated and hoping that the mic isn't defective...
 
How are you monitoring the volume? turn it up! what are you meters showing you?
 
Have you tried the mic through another mixer/preamp? Maybe something needs to be set via software? You should be getting a sweet signal from the 20003a.

Paj
8^)
 
Be sure to check you mic cable for correct wiring and polarity, crucial for phantom powered mics.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Last night a friend and I did some troubleshooting, and this is what we discovered:

- The cable is definitely not the problem
- The signal was fine when we plugged my mic into his TASCAM US-1641 interface
- The signal was fine when we plugged his MXL 909 condenser into my interface

And, even more strangely:

-My mic worked fine with my interface once it had been plugged into the TASCAM interface beforehand.. But when I tried it this morning I was getting the same weak signal I'm used to.

I'm thinking that the phantom power on the Lambda interface (which is USB powered) might just be too weak to power the 2003A. I've also heard that maybe the preamp on the Lambda is weak, not sure if that makes sense though.

Any thoughts?
 
MXL2003A draw is 6.6mA. About a year ago I predicted in a thread here that draw would cause some users with noncompliant phantom power on their preamps the exact problem you are experiencing.

I'm expecting an apology from drbill about right now :D

PS phantom powered mics don't care about polarity; that is, if pins 2 and 3 are swapped. They don't even know. Now, if you swap pin 2 or 3 with pin 1, things could get interesting . . .
 
mshilarious said:
MXL2003A draw is 6.6mA. About a year ago I predicted in a thread here that draw would cause some users with noncompliant phantom power on their preamps the exact problem you are experiencing.

I'm expecting an apology from drbill about right now :D

PS phantom powered mics don't care about polarity; that is, if pins 2 and 3 are swapped. They don't even know. Now, if you swap pin 2 or 3 with pin 1, things could get interesting . . .
Click to expand...

So does that mean if I buy an external phantom power supply it'll solve my problem?

Thanks for the responses!
 
I think I am having same problem.. I use an M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Interface.. Should this suffice as capable of handling the 6.6mA draw?
 
Have you tried the stock power cable (if there is one)?
 
No there is not. I've tested and ruled out the pre-amp and cables. It def seems to be the mic. The only way I can pick anything up is by turning the volume up COMPLETELY. And even then it often fades in and out. It's temperamental... very strange. But I don't really know better. I figured something inside needs to be replaced..?
 
But then again, this thread has me questioning the preamp.. The 6.6 mA draw is foreign to me.. Obviously I don't know too much...
 
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