vocal static problemo
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Posted on Dec 26, 2004 07:27 pm
Freddcow
cables, inputs, mixers OH MY
Member Since: Dec 26, 2004
Ok so ive got this mic with a little storebought foam covering to eliminate noise or wind. I plug it in to a mixer and plug the mixer into my computer. Im receiving some static that is pretty audible. Ive got the mixer vol turned down to 1 and the computer Line In to very low but Im still getting this static. what do i do?
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Dec 26, 2004 11:00 pm I'll see if I can take a stab at what your connections should be (but only because you took the time to fill out your gear profile :-D ):
- ATR-20 1/4" into one of the mixer's 1/4" inputs
- RCA cable from the output on the back of your mixer
- not exactly sure what the connections on your sound card look like, but i'm assuming that it takes 1/8" male plugs for a mic in, a line in, and a speaker out. You'll need an adaptor that goes from RCA male L + R to 1/8" male.
- plug the 1/8" male into the LINE-IN on your sound card (as opposed to the mic-in)
Try to keep the mic's channel gain up pretty high (but probably not all the way up...that RS mixer probably doesn't have the quietest preamps on the planet). If your mixer has a master gain, then crank the line-in level on your PC all the way up and slowly raise the master gain on your mixer until you get a good, strong signal. Otherwise, slowly increase the line-in level on your PC until you get a good, strong signal.
If there is still static, is it constant, or just when you speak into the mic? You might want to make sure that you keep the mic as far away from your PC monitor as possible, and as far away from your PC itself as possible.
If there is still static, then I'm going to have to attribute it to the quality of the equipment that you're using. Those components simply aren't designed for high-fidelity audio work. If you find yourself with some extra cash for upgrading your audio equipment, then read the articles here for suggestions for some bare-bones recording equipment that'll give you low-noise performance. And we're always glad to help too!
Good luck.
Freddcowcables, inputs, mixers OH MYMember
Since: Dec 26, 2004
Dec 27, 2004 06:55 pm When I turn up either the Line In or the channel gain, the static just increases and my voice is not even understandable. When the Line In and the channel gain are each turned down low my voice sounds distant and the static is still powerful. And yes the static is everpresent. I get less static when I just route the mic straight to the PC.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Dec 27, 2004 07:49 pm Yikes!
Well, try the mic in each of the other channels (be sure to keep all non-active channels turned all the way down or mute them) and if it happens on all of them, then either the mixer or the microphone is defective or the preamps in the mixer are simply noisy.
If you have a friend that has a mixer or preamp, try the mic in his/her unit...at least you can determine whether its the mic or the mixer.
Freddcowcables, inputs, mixers OH MYMember
Since: Dec 26, 2004
Dec 28, 2004 05:47 pm I think the preamps the problem. Is there a way i can manually replace it. I dont wanna just throw away this new mixer i bought. And if I can manually replace it, wats a good brand to get, where do i get it and how much is it gonna cost?\
thanks for helping me by the way
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Dec 28, 2004 06:13 pm Radio Shack isn't really the place to go if you're looking for audio recording equipment. The only mixer I saw them selling cost about $35, but I'm not sure if this is the same one you're using.
For that same $35, you can at least get Behringer's entry-level mixer that would be a good step up in quality (the UB502). Even a modest additional investment can get you either a UB802, or even a stand-alone preamp such as the M-Audio, ART, Presonous or Behringer ones. Heck, even for $100 Yamaha makes a smash-up little mixer.
Either way, I'd let Radio Shack keep their mixer and invest that money into something that'll give you more flexibility and better results.
Freddcowcables, inputs, mixers OH MYMember
Since: Dec 26, 2004
Dec 28, 2004 06:17 pm So where whud i get something like that
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Dec 28, 2004 06:23 pm On the left-hand side of this page, there should be an advertising banner that's a link for Musician's Friend, an online music supply retailer (you may have to refresh the page a time or two until that particular banner appears...if not, then you can find them at www.musiciansfriend.com ). they have all of the products that I mentioned above. They have product descriptions, and user reviews to read over. Find the one that fits your budget and your needs.
And if you need any help deciding, a lot of the people here use the products that I mentioned so you can probably garner some first-hand info about how they perform.
