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2616 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Jun 30, 2010 1:50 AM by BriHar RSS
omonoiatis9 Just Startin'
omonoiatis9
46 posts since
Oct 3, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 17, 2010 12:12 AM

Microphone signal too weak?

So I've tried using the mic input that the POD x3 comes with and record something with it in my DAW. The thing is, the signal is reaaally weak. At the monitor bar for volume that my DAW has, only 1/5 of it is used when singing into the microphone. I tried the trimming thingy on the POD x3 too, it's not trimmed at all and that's its maximum. On the other hand, when recording the electric guitar from the guitar input, you always get MAXIMIZED sound.

 

How do I achieve the same volume, but not to the point it gets distorted, with the microphone? Or is it a microphone issue?

Tags: input, volume, recording, daw, microphone, trim, signal
  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
    silverhead
    9,592 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 17, 2010 6:16 AM (in response to omonoiatis9)
    Re: Microphone signal too weak?

    A few things come to mind that you can check/test:

    - make sure your microphone is a dynamic (not condenser) mic. Condenser mics need phantom power which the X3 does not provide. And since you suspect it may be the mic, try another one if possible to test.

    - are you recording the 'dry' microphone signal? If so, be aware that the dry signal strength is always much lower than the wet (processed) signal strength. This is normal, and not a problem.The signal strength is brought up again when you apply a plugin such as POD Farm 2 in your DAW.

    - Increase the Tone Volume of the mic tone on your X3. (Note that increasing the Master Volume level does not affect the USB record levels. I presume you're using USB and the X3's ASIO driver?)

    - increase the Record Level of the track in your DAW when recording.

     

    Hope this helps.

    • omonoiatis9 Just Startin'
      omonoiatis9
      46 posts since
      Oct 3, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 17, 2010 6:27 AM (in response to silverhead)
      Re: Microphone signal too weak?

      That was very helpful, Silverhead, thanks:

      -My microphone is dynamic so we're set with that.

      -I doubt I am recording a dry signal since I play around with the presets on POD, and the mic's output sound (not volume though) does change accordingly.

      -Indeed, I am aware that master volume plays no part when recording through a computer. I have tried maxing out the tone volume though, the change is almost not even noticeable since the presets have a fairly high tone volume of their own. (Yes, I am using a USB, but I'm using my computer's soundcard, not X3 as a soundcard. Which is ASIO4ALL)

      -I'm sorry, what do you mean increase the record level of the track? Perhaps you meant the volume of the track? I have tried that but sometimes the result is negative, as the sound may become a little distorted.

       

      What I have tried and works alright is amplifying the signal after it's recorded, using a process provided by my DAW, Nuendo 3. But that really isn't as convenient as I'd hope, since not only it's not practical as I re-record stuff over and over, but it also doesn't solve the problem of me not being able to hear myself when I monitor the microphone track.

      • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
        silverhead
        9,592 posts since
        Apr 1, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jun 17, 2010 6:56 AM (in response to omonoiatis9)
        Re: Microphone signal too weak?

        Try using your X3 as your DAW's audio input/ouput device rather than your computer soundcard. This will give you more options in your recording, including the dry signal I was referring to earlier as well as the ability to record only Tone 1 or Tone 2. The X3's ASIO driver/interface is much better than ASIO4ALL, and I expect the sound quality of hte X3 is better than the quality of your internal computer soundcard. To make the switch, check your global audio settings in Nuendo and select the X3 and its ASIO driver as the audio device.

         

        Here's a recording setup with the X3 that works very well for me and others:

        - record the 'dry' (i.e. unprocessed) signal from the X3. As mentioned before, the signal level will be low - no problem.

        - while recording, monitor the wet signal through the X3 headphones

        - after recording, use the POD Farm plugin (a free download with the X3) to process the dry signal in your DAW. After recording your 'perfect' take of the dry signal once, there is no need to re-record it to change the tone. Just change the tone using POD Farm exactly as you would using the X3.

         

        By the way, if you have more questions I suggest you post it in the X3 support forum rather than here - you'll get much more visibility and response. Relatively few people actually pay attention to this space, despite its appealing title.

  • BriHar Just Startin'
    BriHar
    117 posts since
    Feb 9, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 30, 2010 1:50 AM (in response to omonoiatis9)
    Re: Microphone signal too weak?

    I think you need a mic preamp. The signal from a mic is much lower than a guitar signal.  Most mixer consoles have these built in so you might want to consider getting a small ( 4 ch) mixer.  Many such mixers also have Phantom power available should you want to go condenser later.

     

    I use a Soundcraft Compact 4 this gives me 2 preamped mic inputs w/switcheable Phantom 1 with HP filter - or DI inputs 1 with HiZ matching plus 2 stereo channels with switcheable RIAA preamps for turntables also LMH EQ and pan for each channel, individual Engineer/Artist headphone outs and simple monitor/record routing.

     

    I actually use this as a secondary mixer (inputwise) to a 24 channel Eurodesk, but it also acts as the main monitor out and headphone outs for the whole studio.

     

    http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=121&s=1

     

    But also check out offerings from Mackie, Behringer etc.

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