Yamaha MG10XU is being quiet

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sh8716

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I'm using a Yamaha MG10XU for podcasting, and the quality of the audio is great, unfortunately it's very quiet. I'm attaching a screenshot of what it looks like on audacity. I saw another thread addressing this problem and it didn't help. I'm connecting it to my computer through USB. One thing to note is that the peak section on the mixer is not lighting up at all, but I'm not sure if it's supposed to given that it's connected via USB. A couple things that I've checked.

-Both the mixer and the microphones are appearing in Windows 10 and turned up
-The level for both the microphone and stereo level for the entire mixer are at the 12 o clock position
-Gain and Comp are both at the 12 o clock position as well
-The USB button on the mixer is pressed
-I've pressed HPF 80Hz underneath the first XLR plugin

I'm still learning about podcasting and how to use mixers, so I apologize in advance for any confusion.

Thanks!
 

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- What are you using for a microphone? Is phantom power on if needed?

-The level for both the microphone and stereo level for the entire mixer are at the 12 o clock position
-Gain and Comp are both at the 12 o clock position as well
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- Why have you set things at 12o'clock? Read the manual on how to set the channel Gain for the mic for starters, particularly since you're not lighting the Peak light occasionally.
- Make sure a pad switch isn't enabled.
- The manual suggests a setting for the channel Level knob.
- Unless you have monitors connected the Stereo Level knob can be set at zero, although it does affect the output metering if you should want to watch that.
- What are trying to achieve with the compressor? If you're not sure, leave it at zero until you know why you want to use it.
- Generally when recording to software your recordings may be low, both in output audio and the waveforms displayed. This can be adjusted after the recording is done to get higher levels.

Audacity can not use ASIO drivers which it appears are available and can be installed for this mixer. Audacity will use your Window 10 audio system drivers for the mixers USB and may have setting in that that need to be tweaked.

Edit.....
Curious why you got a mixer, rather than a 'real' USB audio interface. A USB mixer is kind of limiting that it will generally just send a stereo mix (all channels get mixed down to two) to the computer and not individual tracks from each channel that may have a mic connected. You can pan the channels left and right, but that's about all.
 
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I'm using the Behringer XM1800S Dynamic Cardioid mics, and they do not require phantom power.

I have the gain set and 12 because even with it turned all the way up or all the way down, there isn't a real difference in the loudness.

I guess all of the forums and websites I had been checking out regarding podcasting had suggested mixers, so that's what I went with. I'd certainly be open to getting a usb audio interface instead, but I just wasn't familiar with them before. I'm trying to run 4 microphones at once, so hopefully there an audio interface I could use that isn't too cost prohibitive?

How do I tweak the Windows 10 system drivers?

As for both the mics and the mixer appearing in Windows 10, I can't explain it either. I did think it was odd.
 
sh8716 said:
but I'm wondering the differences between these two.
Click to expand...

Price, mostly.

Behringer has/had a reputation for putting out cheap garbage that would not last. I do not know if that has changed in recent years. I would not be interested in buying Behringer gear.

Tascam has a reputation for putting out quality gear. I have an older tascam interface that works fine. Mic preamps are quiet enough. Win 7 ASIO drivers work with Win10. Tascam headphone outs are notorious for being quiet. But if you got 4 guys and want headphones for them, you're going to need a separate headphone amp.
 
I have the gain set and 12 because even with it turned all the way up or all the way down, there isn't a real difference in the loudness.
Click to expand...
That's odd. Maybe if the loudness didn't change it may be the compressor that was holding the level at a somewhat same level once it reached the knee point. Not 100% sure of this, but a thought.

How do I tweak the Windows 10 system drivers?

As for both the mics and the mixer appearing in Windows 10, I can't explain it either. I did think it was odd.
Click to expand...
Where the mics and mixer showed in Win10 there may be level adjustment and perhaps something else that may affect levels. Not much more that can be 'tweaked' other than that.


Tascam US-4x4 USB Audio Interface | Guitar Center
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This would be my choice, but am suspicious of GC's price and also being out of stock as other retailers are showing this at about $250. The Behringer might be OK, but haven't seen much for recommendations on it. For the price of the Behringer it might be worth a try if you can return it.

To further help spend some of your money, I'll suggest something other than Audacity, which because it can't use ASIO drivers would be a problem if you wanted to record 4 separate mono tracks that you could edit independently. REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits can use ASIO drivers and with an interface like the Tascam can record 4 independent tracks. It may be a bit of overkill for Podcasting though and maybe someone else can chime in with an inexpensive software. Reaper is only $60 and pretty extensive.
 
I'm leaning heavily toward the Tascam. Talked to an employee at Guitar Center and he suggested the Tascam. (and he's also paid on commission so it's hard to tell) The Behringer is also out of stock most places until late August. I just think it's time to cut my losses with the Yamaha and return it while I can. Now the only question is to buy the Tascam from GC or simply Amazon.
Mark, I'll also check out REAPER. For $60 it seems cheap enough. I'd be open to other suggestions as well. Thanks again!
 
The Tascam comes with Sonar. It will have everything you want for podcasting. No need to spend more money on Reaper.

I'm a big fan of sweetwater, if GC doesn't have it, check there while lookiing around.... or Amazon.
 
Chili said:
The Tascam comes with Sonar. It will have everything you want for podcasting. No need to spend more money on Reaper.

I'm a big fan of sweetwater, if GC doesn't have it, check there while lookiing around.... or Amazon.
Click to expand...

Ditto on Sweetwater, awesome customer service
 
Chili said:
The Tascam comes with Sonar. It will have everything you want for podcasting. No need to spend more money on Reaper.

I'm a big fan of sweetwater, if GC doesn't have it, check there while lookiing around.... or Amazon.
Click to expand...
You just like the candy they send with an order :) Give mine to the wife.

Sweetwater is good and they have the 2 year warranty.

Won't need Reaper....
"The US-4x4 comes with Cakewalk's SONAR X3 LE and Ableton Live Lite 9. A feature-rich recording software for musicians using PC-based recording, SONAR X3 LE provides a cutting-edge music production studio, giving users what they need to get started creating music on Windows PCs. Ableton Live Lite 9 puts the power of on-the-fly recording, mixing, creating, and more into your hands. Use it in the studio to lay down drum tracks and then take your US-4x4 and Ableton to the show and build a song right in front of your fans."

 
Does Sweetwater price match? I see the Tascam is $50 higher on there than every place else.
 
sh8716 said:
Does Sweetwater price match? I see the Tascam is $50 higher on there than every place else.
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Probably won't price match on an out of stock item, but worth a try. I'll bet once back in stock (if comes back in stock) at GC the price will be the same as others.
 
Sweetwater has been EXTREMELY flexible with their prices for me in the past, but it was something I had to ask for, they did not advertise or offer me a lower price. I think they were willing to lower the price for me because, I spent a decent amount of money there and I got to know the dedicated sales person.

That's one thing I like about Sweetwater, you get assigned to one salesperson. I think it's advantageous to spend a few minutes shooting the shit with him with each sale because he'll remember you out of the thousand other customers he talks to everyday. I think that was part of why I got such a good discount on an expensive piece of gear.

So, if you place an order for the interface, ask them if they will price match. They just might.
 
Just got off the phone with Sweetwater. Very mixed bag of an experience. Sent an email out on Sunday, got an email back on Monday to give them a call and discuss, so I called them on Monday at about 11 and I was told the tech support guy I was supposed to talk to was on the phone and that he would call me back before the end of the day. He calls me at 4:59 to tell me that he's just leaving for the day and that I should call him in the morning. Ended up calling him this morning and he price matched it to $199. So while the actual service itself was good, the process leading up to it left a bit to be desired.
 
Did you ever figure out what the issue was with the MG10XU?
 
Chili said:
This bothers me. Why are you seeing the mics in Windows if you have them connected to a mixer?
Click to expand...

No longer have W10 (miss it like a bum tooth!) but every AI I have ever connected appears in Win 7. KA6, 8I6, UCA 202, A&H z10. All come up when connected but are overridden by any ASIO drivers when running a DAW which is almost always a Samplitude variant.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
No longer have W10 (miss it like a bum tooth!) but every AI I have ever connected appears in Win 7. KA6, 8I6, UCA 202, A&H z10. All come up when connected but are overridden by any ASIO drivers when running a DAW which is almost always a Samplitude variant.

Dave.
Click to expand...

Hey Dave, lol, you're going back in time a bit, but that's okay, the conversation is still valid. My question was asking why, if he had his mics plugged into the mixer, would they show up in Windows. Windows would only see the mixer as the interface. The OP's answer was:
As for both the mics and the mixer appearing in Windows 10, I can't explain it either. I did think it was odd.
Click to expand...

That tells me something was amiss, but probably a moot point now.
 
Chili said:
Hey Dave, lol, you're going back in time a bit, but that's okay, the conversation is still valid. My question was asking why, if he had his mics plugged into the mixer, would they show up in Windows. Windows would only see the mixer as the interface. The OP's answer was:

That tells me something was amiss, but probably a moot point now.
Click to expand...

Thank you for indulging this old fool! What would be amiss? Does W10 show interfaces in a different way from W7?* Reading the OP's comment now I am not sure WHAT was shown! A screenshot would have been handy.

On a general point. Windows tends to call lots of things "microphones" that ain't. Or it's a bloody "CODEC" or both!

*Or did you mean Win7 is going back a bit? Been nothing any good since IMHO and that of very many in the audio industry. W10 WAS good but then they got nosey and too bloody clever by half. That last is my opinion based on a lot of peeps who REALLY know their digital onions.

Wonder what OP will see when he gets the Tassy?

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
What would be amiss? Does W10 show interfaces in a different way from W7?*
Click to expand...

Not the interface, but the mics. If the mics were plugged into the mixer, they shouldn't show up in Windows. This mixer is one of those Main Outs to USB types, it doesn't stream individual channels.


On a general point. Windows tends to call lots of things "microphones" that ain't. Or it's a bloody "CODEC" or both!
Click to expand...
This is probably the source of the confusion.

"Going back a bit" was about you dredging up a dead thread from several months ago. ;) It's okay.

I had Win10 on my main computer and still have it on this laptop. I reverted back to Win7 on my main computer and will probably do the same with this laptop. Just typing this post, it pauses for about 5 seconds every 45 seconds. Frustrating. But that's for another thread.
 
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