Why the hum? Why no volume?

[r^2]

Using a Carvin CM50 mic, 20 feet XLR cable, Radio Shack XLR matching impedance to 1/4 phone jack (I think, looks like the pic on your webpage, but no numbers), SB Audigy FX external soundcard, Dell Inspiraton 710 laptop.
Problem #1: Have a noticeable hum when recording speech before and after the passage. Not noticeable during, except during long pauses. Is this normal?
Problem #2: It seems the voice output level is very low compared to say a CD ouitput. The talker is 4-5" from the mic speaking loudly and the Audigy mic control is 3/4 full on, all other recording volume controls full on. Is this all I can expect from this setup? Want to do voice overs for still photos using Sony Vegas Movie Studio. Thanks for the comments.

 

[bennychico11]

Using a Carvin CM50 mic, 20 feet XLR cable, Radio Shack XLR matching impedance to 1/4 phone jack (I think, looks like the pic on your webpage, but no numbers), SB Audigy FX external soundcard, Dell Inspiraton 710 laptop.
Problem #1: Have a noticeable hum when recording speech before and after the passage. Not noticeable during, except during long pauses. Is this normal?
Problem #2: It seems the voice output level is very low compared to say a CD ouitput. The talker is 4-5" from the mic speaking loudly and the Audigy mic control is 3/4 full on, all other recording volume controls full on. Is this all I can expect from this setup? Want to do voice overs for still photos using Sony Vegas Movie Studio. Thanks for the comments.

first off, is the radio shack XLR-->1/4" just an adapter?? And are you meaning 1/8" or does the Audigy actually have 1/4" input?
Second, where are you plugging it into in the audigy? Mic input?

The hum could be a few things. It could be the connector you're using is unbalanced and it's picking up hum from your computer. It could be your computer's soundcard just sucks...which is possible because Audigy cards that come with your laptop are not made for recording.

take a look at something like:
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/p...h&cat=&cat2=3217&ob=pop&submit=Filter+Results

or
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--EMU8803

however, if this is just a one time thing, you're probably better off just using what you have and trying to make sure input level is turned up as loud as you can get it. The hum however will be harder to take care of. Does it change anything if your laptop is plugged in versus running off it's own battery?

 

[r^2]

Why the hum?

The SB Audigy (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=9103) is an external USB connect sound card powered separately. I use a 1/4" to 1/8" pin adapter btwn the XLR-1/4 phone jack adapter and the Audigy mic in jack.

Will try the battery operation when recording. I use the laptop to go mobile on the recordings, then network transfer to my desktop.

When I crank the Audigy mic volume full on I get very noticeable hum, backing of to 7/8 full the hum is tolerable. (kinda says the hum is forward of the mic volume control... maybe)
Thanks