Skip to main content

Hey.

Right, i have a AKG D3700 S that is probably around 2 years old. Problem is i'm starting to record on a new computer after not using the mic for a few months and in that time we moved house.

What happens is the volume randomly changes as i record, i.e for a few seconds the sound level will be high and then it will drop down to low, then back to high and then to low again.

What does everyone think the problem is?

Could it be the mic is broke, or the jack plug/lead that I'm using, or even something to do with the PC I'm using?.

Anyway, i would appreciate some help on this subject.

Thx

Comments

anonymous Thu, 02/08/2007 - 12:43

Alrite man, my bad. Im just using my PC for recording my stuff, and connecting my mic to a normal cable and plugging it into a regular apaptor jack (same as regualer headphones) to allow it to fit into the computer

One other thing, does anyone know how the hell to take the top (grill) off?

I know when i bought it i read somewhere that it's possible to take off, but i just cannot get the bugger to come off.

hueseph Thu, 02/08/2007 - 13:20

jamie88 wrote: Alrite man, my bad. Im just using my PC for recording my stuff, and connecting my mic to a normal cable and plugging it into a regular apaptor jack (same as regualer headphones) to allow it to fit into the computer

The problem with doing things this way is that the weight of the cable is considerably more than what was intended for that little 1/8" jack. Really this jack was meant for nothing more than a PC microphone or Radioslack cable to run from your stereo/ghetto-blaster to your PC. The weight of the jack and cable are enough to jiggle that little thing loose. They're only held on by solder.

If you insist of using a SoundCrapper type card, at least invest in one with a proper 1/4" input(platinum seriees). Mind you for the price of one of those, you could buy a half decent audio interface with an authentic mic input and likely a preamp or reasonable facsimile.

I know all about being under a budget but scrape up the cash. Save your allowance for a month or two. Lay off the buds and you should have the money in no time.

SYNTHME Thu, 02/08/2007 - 14:09

I will take the liberty of guessing you are looking for something cheap with nothing more than a few inputs. You might want to check out:

[="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha"]Lexicon Alpha[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"]Lexicon Alpha[/]
[[url=http://="http://www.sweetwat…"]M-Audio MobilePre[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"]M-Audio MobilePre[/]

There really are a lot of options out there in the $100 to $300 range. It just depends on if there are any specific features that you are looking for. And, IMO, external devices like these are a lot easier to deal with than soundcards.

SYNTHME Thu, 02/08/2007 - 14:58

Correct. You plug your mic into the audio interface using a standard XLR mic cable, and then your audio interface connects via USB to your computer.

Once you install the audio interface drivers on your computer, your recording program or Windows will allow you to select your audio interface as the input (instead of the mic input on your soundcard that you were using before) and record from there.

You will also see audio interfaces that connect via Firewire, but since you have a PC, I’m guessing that you most likely do not have a Firewire card or port to use. If that is the case, I would recommend you stick with USB.