XLR or 1/4" for input on FastTrack

[koskos]

I'm new to home recording, trying to record some singing. I bought a new M-Audio FastTrack which I plug into my MacBook, and I have a Peavey PVI2 microphone that someone gave to me (not brand new, but apparently never used, still in original packaging).

The FastTrack has an XLR input labeled "Mic" and a 1/4" input labeled "Line in/Guitar" (with a switch to change it from guitar to line in). The mic came with an XLR to 1/4" cable, so I tried using the 1/4" input. The MacBook detected the interface, and I made sure that the volume was on. But there is no sound actually coming.

Do I need to get an XLR to XLR cable? Or could there be something wrong with some of my equipment?

 

[Massive Master]

You need to use a XLR-XLR cable into the mic preamp. Mic level is far (FAAARRR) too low to be run into an input expecting a line-level signal. It's the preamp's job to bring that mic level signal to line level.

Why a mic would even come with a XLR-1/4" cable is a mystery...

 

[koskos]

Right, I had a feeling I was using the wrong cable. Thanks for clarifying it for me.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Massive Master is correct in this case. I checked the mic out, because I am not familiar with it, and there are some very old high impedence mics that are looking for an instrument (high-z) input. The PVi2 isn't one of them. It comes with an XLR to XLR cable. I'm thinking the original owner may have been used to high-Z mics, and tried to plug it into a guitar amp, or a high-Z PA, which they did make in the old days. You should be fine with the proper cable. That's why they sell those XLR to 1/4" transformers for $10 or so, so old-timers can plug their mics into their antique PA's, and so buskers can plug mics into guitar amps.-Richie