Greetings.. I am new and yes, I have issues

[mnosretep]

Well, I am having issues recording anyway.
Me? A newbie, novice, label me what you will.
My set up;
I have an SM57 run into a Behringer UB1202 via XLR cables, on the UB1202 I have the tape out run into my "mic in" on my laptop with N-Track as the software.
I am attempting to record an acoustic guitar, with the mic placed about 6 - 8 inches above 14th fret slightly angled towards sound hole.
I have tried numerous configurations and combinations of little gain with little level, medium gain with little level, lots of gain with little level, ... well, you get the idea.
When I play back what is recorded, I find a very unacceptable level of background noise. The noise level is in the 40 - 60 db range during "silence" going by the N-Track record and play meters. Thinking it was my laptop, I tried the same on my desktop PC... exact same issues.
A side note: the only way I can make the LED's on the mixer light when recording is to have both the gain and level on the mixer maxed... this creates even bigger "noise" issues. Is that normal?
I realize that some background noise is to be expected, but the amount i am experiencing is in the "horrendous" category.
Thanks in advance...

[brandondrury]

A side note: the only way I can make the LED's on the mixer light when recording is to have both the gain and level on the mixer maxed... this creates even bigger "noise" issues. Is that normal?

It's normal with the preamps in a budget mixer. I have Neve preamps which cost me a fortune (2 channels, $1500). Those are pretty much noiseless even when maxed out.

Your SM 57 is a very low level too. I have to max the mic preamp out when using a 57 for quiet stuff.

So, the combination of a quiet acoustic guitar, a low output mic, and a noisy preamp are a giant part of your problem. You may have noise in the room too from your computer, vents, etc.

Back when I used the Mackie preamps in my board I knew they were going to be fine up to a certain point, but there would eventually be a point where the noise would be excessive. In these times I would simply turn the gain up to the threshold of noise and then stop. From there I'd bump up the gain, if necessary, in the computer. This isn't the perfect/ideal way of doing it, but it's it is the best method in this situation.

Brandon

[mnosretep]

Thanks Brandon.
Being a newbie/novice, your reply pointed out a glaringly obvious oversight on my part... the gain in the computer!
Using your suggestion greatly reduced the amount of "noise" being recorded.
Thanks!

[brandondrury]

Using your suggestion greatly reduced the amount of "noise" being recorded.

Great. Every once in a while I get one right!

Brandon