Microphone pre-amp?

[happymeal98]

Hello. I am just getting started with my home recording. I just bought the M-Audio USB Fast Track interface (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...kUSB-main.html), and I tried to lay down some tracks. However, I had trouble getting any kind of strong levels for my mic. I suspect that I might need some kind of a pre-amp.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[brandondrury]

The M-Audio USB Fast Track has preamps.

They are probably not as high of quality as a $2,000 Neve preamp, but I expect that they are goo denough to get you started.

What mic are you using? What are you recording? How high do you have your current preamps cranked up to?

Brandon

[happymeal98]

I bought my mic many years ago. I think it's a Shure 48 or 58 vocal mic. Something on the really low end.

I have the gain on the interface set pretty high, and I'm still figuring out the software controls in terms of level, but it seems like I had everything cranked up pretty high. (Software is Ableton 5.2 Lite...I really love the user-friendly setup)

There's a button on the back for guitar or line-in. Not sure how that affects the levels.

I'm basically using the mic to record my acoustic guitar and vocals. The vocals come out a lot stronger.

Thanks!

[richiebee]

I found it hard to believe when this was pointed out to me earlier but the Fast Track DOESN'T have pre-amps... the Fast Track PRO does.

[happymeal98]

Originally Posted by richiebee

I found it hard to believe when this was pointed out to me earlier but the Fast Track DOESN'T have pre-amps... the Fast Track PRO does.

Shoot. What do you think my best options are then? And by best, I mean cheap. I suppose I could try to return it and upgrade, unless there's a cheap alternative.

[bubba]

Hello HappyMeal:

You might try this: If you are running XP, there is an internal volume control and sometimes your soundcard input will get routed through it. I have a Dell and I can access this internal control by pushing a button on my keyboard. There are three volume controls on this program: Wave, SW Synth and CD player. You might be able to access this program through "accessories" on your main menu. If the "Wave" pot is not all the way up.........
Good Luck

Peace: bubba

[brandondrury]

f you are running XP, there is an internal volume control and sometimes your soundcard input will get routed through it.

This is how they handle it when using the stock toy soundcard. This probably won't be much use with a real audio interface (even if it isn't the most expensive soundcard out there).

M-Audio Audio Buddy

Here's a few other options.

Brandon