Mic signal problem

[panicnation]

Hi all,

Still kinda noob so excuse me if I use the wrong terminology anywhere.

I've been doing some DIY home recording for a couple of months now and right from the start, I've always been having problems with the volume on the mic. When tracking, the mic signal is extremely weak. I need to turn the input gain on my AI up to about 3 or 4 o'clock before I can even hear myself audibly, and that's without any other instruments/music. In the final product I always boost the gain in my DAW and use compression so it turns out fine, but it's something of an inconvenience at the tracking stage as monitoring can be a problem.

FYI here's my set up:

sm58 -> XLR to 1/4inch -> combo input on focusrite saffire pro 14 -> firewire -> reaper

From what I've read, there are 3 possible reasons for my problem:

1. I need a mic preamp to boost the signal?
2. I'm using the wrong type of connecting cable, with the wrong kind of impedence?
3. I need a condenser mic?

Anyone able to pinpoint what the problem is?

Much thanks in advance!

 

[kongwee]

For me, XLR-XLR for SM58 to input one. You can damage input one if you regularly plug in and out using 1/4 inch.

 

[blueprintstudios]

Most likely 2) xlr only for microphones unless it's an unbalanced karaoke mic. Try change the cable.
There's already preamp on the audio interface.

 

[unsane]

You can damage input one if you regularly plug in and out using 1/4 inch.

and pray tell, how would this happen?

 

[blueprintstudios]

would like to know too. Never damaged anything from doing the above stated for the last 3650+ days.

 

[kongwee]

Well, the TRS slot in the XLR will get loose and make noise.
That I consider broken.

 

[blueprintstudios]

Some posts definitely need to be edited for being stupid or not making any sense.Heh.

Panicnation the "still kinda noob" has already mentioned a combo input so definitely if you're trying to plug a 1/4" into an xlr theres no debate cos even if you try plug 1/8 into one of the holes of the xlr it wouldn't happen.if that is successful, your audio interface is made out of silicon and may be only designed for single lonely males.Heh.

Nice comeback, I actually am amused by the possible limits of the universe and the infinities of the human mind at its worst.

 

[blueprintstudios]

Forgot to mention one more thing, don't know about you guys, all of the combo inputs I've came across provides one hell of a tug.I'd actually wish they were looser or in another "theory professional man's" translation - "Broken". heh.

 

[kongwee]

Well, it doesn't make sense until this kind of combo slot gonna make up mess out of your precise recording time.
Just a loose TRS slot in the XLR combo can screw your 3650 days of experience.

 

[blueprintstudios]

3981 days passed and I'll be still counting.HEH. Have fun with your silicon xlr inputs I'm sure its been more than 3650 days

 

[unsane]

Well, it doesn't make sense until this kind of combo slot gonna make up mess out of your precise recording time.
Just a loose TRS slot in the XLR combo can screw your 3650 days of experience.

uhmm, no, you don't make any sense. i think you might want to change your nick, perhaps to "kongwei" instead? might suit you better given the amount of rubbish and misinformation you tend to spew here.

 

[kongwee]

Don't make sense that fine with me.
Practically these thing happen around me.
I do not give misinformation, just some people wanna blind you with decade of experience.

 

[blueprintstudios]

of course, unlike one person wanna deafen people with a decade of stupidity, nonsense would just keep happening and the typical answer is usually to spend a 3 to 4 digit procurement of tutorial dvds and recommendation of impulse enrolment into courses. people like us has active works and tried'n'tested experience to back our talk up. If you wanna prove what I say is wrong, you gotta put in more effort than that Mr P-heh.

 

[kongwee]

I don't need prove to you cos this is happening when you work with professional in this field. Best part of it, these things have been test and tried in front of you without you to touch them. You can make fun of me it is okay. Tell soft or rather James to delete my stupid posts it is ok too. I don't make any single cents from Soft or sofies.

 

[blueprintstudios]

simply said - you have nothing to prove and couldn't make any cents or sense even if you tried so kindly stop making fun of yourself. here's the age old saying, if you got nothing good to say , have a cup of .

 

[kongwee]

Are you feeling insecure?

 

[blueprintstudios]

LOL are you tempting me to formulate a measurement for yours?

 

[kongwee]

Ok. I understand. XD

 

[blueprintstudios]

Didn't think so.heh.

 

[wjl123]

Problem:
The Focusrite has a automatic switching thingy on the front inputs.
When you plug the 1/4 inch it will detect it as an Line input and will change that input to a high gain input which is -10dBV. While if you plug in an XLR jack, the preamp will be changed to low gain which is +16dBu (Low gain for Mic).
Solution(TLDR): Like what the others have said, just use a xlr to xlr cable for your mic.

http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_14/front_and_rear_connectivity/
Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-2)
• 2 Mic XLR Combo (channels 1-2) on front panel
• 2 Line 1⁄4” TRS (channels 3-4) on rear panel
• Automatic switching between Mic / Line (channels 1-2)
• Switching between Line / Instrument Inputs (channels 1-2) via Saffire MixControl Application
• Switching between +16dBu (low) and -10dBV (high) gain on inputs 3-4 via Saffire MixControl Application