This all sounds over-complicated, but maybe it's because you haven't described what you are trying to achieve.

I haven't gone through all the details, but the thing that hits me is that you seem to be treating a stereo sound card as though it were mono. On the output, you are squashing the L and R channels of the sound card audio out through one mono input of the mixer (line 1), and this is likely to cause distortion and/or loss of centre image, depending on how your cable is wired. On the input, you have the balanced mono microphone signal taken through a 3.5mm plug into what may be a stereo input, although you say the microphone works well going into the PC.

Boswell, post: 446497, member: 29034 wrote: This all sounds over-complicated, but maybe it's because you haven't described what you are trying to achieve.

I haven't gone through all the details, but the thing that hits me is that you seem to be treating a stereo sound card as though it were mono. On the output, you are squashing the L and R channels of the sound card audio out through one mono input of the mixer (line 1), and this is likely to cause distortion and/or loss of centre image, depending on how your cable is wired. On the input, you have the balanced mono microphone signal taken through a 3.5mm plug into what may be a stereo input, although you say the microphone works well going into the PC.

I am running my microphone through my PC and Adobe Audition, because it needs to have noise reduction, gating and limiter applied to it before it gets mixed. It is cheaper to run it through software rather than buying the hardware.

Having the microphone run through the PC and software is the standard setup that I used before, but running that audio back out to the Mixer is new to me.

How would I go about running it back out to the Mixer?

Hi Matt,

Does the USB output of the Xenyx not provide usable results? I'm wondering why you chose not to go that way.

As much as I'd hate the Xenyx, I'd try to avoid the Soundblaster even moreso. Maybe you've had bad results with the USB too??

Is the mic the only sound source that's distorting?

dvdhawk, post: 446500, member: 36047 wrote: Hi Matt,

Does the USB output of the Xenyx not provide usable results? I'm wondering why you chose not to go that way.

As much as I'd hate the Xenyx, I'd try to avoid the Soundblaster even moreso. Maybe you've had bad results with the USB too??

Is the mic the only sound source that's distorting?

With previous mixers, the USB added a slight buzz to the audio. When using the jacks as the main output of the audio for the final mix, the sound is great.

The Xenyx has been a tried and tested mixer within the field that I am using it for; Twitch live streaming.

The Soundblaster was the only soundcard I could purchase on the day, it was relatively urgent at the time. Another reason is that funds do not permit me to purchase a higher end soundcard.

When listening to the final mix through the Phones Socket, all other sounds bar the mic is perfect.

The mic sound before it leaves the PC, after it has been run through Adobe Audition, sounds perfect. The problem is it gets distorted upon leaving the PC and being fed back into the Mixer for the final mix.

In my post earlier I mentioned that you were probably going wrong by using a 3.5mm plug to XLR cable for the connection from the sound card out to the mixer input.

As a test, I would try using your other 3.5mm cable (the one with two 6.3mm jack plugs) to see if you still get the distortion. You would use one jack plug into the mixer channel 1 line input and leave the other plug disconnected. Borrrowing that cable means you would not get the mixer out back to the PC connection, but you could tell on the headphones whether the distortion is still there.

If it's gone, then either the XLR input (max +12dBu) will not take the signal level from the sound card output, or you were just hearing the difference between the L & R channels of the stereo out when you were feeding a balanced input on the mixer. If it cures the problem, then simply get another 3.5mm insert cable. Don't be tempted to go for a single 3.5mm to 6.3mm balanced cable, as that will give the same problem.

Boswell, post: 446510, member: 29034 wrote: In my post earlier I mentioned that you were probably going wrong by using a 3.5mm plug to XLR cable for the connection from the sound card out to the mixer input.

As a test, I would try using your other 3.5mm cable (the one with two 6.3mm jack plugs) to see if you still get the distortion. You would use one jack plug into the mixer channel 1 line input and leave the other plug disconnected. Borrrowing that cable means you would not get the mixer out back to the PC connection, but you could tell on the headphones whether the distortion is still there.

If it's gone, then either the XLR input (max +12dBu) will not take the signal level from the sound card output, or you were just hearing the difference between the L & R channels of the stereo out when you were feeding a balanced input on the mixer. If it cures the problem, then simply get another 3.5mm insert cable. Don't be tempted to go for a single 3.5mm to 6.3mm balanced cable, as that will give the same problem.

Thanks, I will try this with my spare cables when I get home from work.

I will also prepare a minute recording of all audio inputs individually to see if they come out fine in the final mix.

Will keep this updated!

TheTundraWolf, post: 446509, member: 50302 wrote: With previous mixers, the USB added a slight buzz to the audio.

I think you should try to resolve this and use the mixer in USB and not combining it to a sound card.
Or at least all sources should go to the mixer and the output of the mixer should go the the line in of the sound card, not the mic in...

pcrecord, post: 446518, member: 46460 wrote: I think you should try to resolve this and use the mixer in USB and not combining it to a sound card.
Or at least all sources should go to the mixer and the output of the mixer should go the the line in of the sound card, not the mic in...

I am slightly confused as to what you are saying.

Yes, I will try the final mix audio output with USB. Not sure how this will fix my microphone distortion, because the rest of the final mix audio output through Line In on the sound card is just fine.

TheTundraWolf, post: 446519, member: 50302 wrote: I am slightly confused as to what you are saying.

Yes, I will try the final mix audio output with USB. Not sure how this will fix my microphone distortion, because the rest of the final mix audio output through Line In on the sound card is just fine.

You are sending a studio microphone to a cheap preamp on a sound card. You would have better results if you'd use a proper audio interface.
The mixer you have can act as an audio interface (but again it's low quality)
Check for a Presonus or focusrite audio interface with the needed input counts and it'll go way better in term of quality and ease of setting up.

Back in 1998 I started to record music with 2 soundblasters in a computers after much driver hacking
Back then audio interfaces were very expensive and soundblaster were cheap.
I did some band recording with a peavy mixer.. man that was low quality but I managed to produce something and learned a lot.
First thing I learned, mic in is good for 3$ table computer mics, not studio mics.

BTW did you check the levels in the recording setting of the sound card you may be too loud and that's why you get distortion.

pcrecord, post: 446520, member: 46460 wrote: You are sending a studio microphone to a cheap preamp on a sound card. You would have better results if you'd use a proper audio interface.
The mixer you have can act as an audio interface (but again it's low quality)
Check for a Presonus or focusrite audio interface with the needed input counts and it'll go way better in term of quality and ease of setting up.

Back in 1998 I started to record music with 2 soundblasters in a computers after much driver hacking
Back then audio interfaces were very expensive and soundblaster were cheap.
I did some band recording with a peavy mixer.. man that was low quality but I managed to produce something and learned a lot.
First thing I learned, mic in is good for 3$ table computer mics, not studio mics.

BTW did you check the levels in the recording setting of the sound card you may be too loud and that's why you get distortion.

If the sound card couldn't handle the microphone, would it not sound distorted before it left the PC?
The microphone sounds great after it has gone through the software on the PC and I listened back to it via the Audio Repeater (MME). But, the microphone is distorted after it leaves the PC via the Sound Card Audio Out.

Regarding the audio interface (Presonus), would I run that after the Phantom Power? Then from there into the PC to get processed by Adobe Audtion (Adpative Noise Reduction, Noise Gate, Limiter)? But, how would I then run this back out of the PC and into the Mixer without using the sound card or MOBO sound?

I have checked all audio settings on the PC, they are all set to 50% and it is quiet.

Sorry for all these questions, I am new to Audio and my logic may skew the practicality of it all.

TheTundraWolf, post: 446523, member: 50302 wrote: If the sound card couldn't handle the microphone, would it not sound distorted before it left the PC?
The microphone sounds great after it has gone through the software on the PC and I listened back to it via the Audio Repeater (MME). But, the microphone is distorted after it leaves the PC via the Sound Card Audio Out.

Regarding the audio interface (Presonus), would I run that after the Phantom Power? Then from there into the PC to get processed by Adobe Audtion (Adpative Noise Reduction, Noise Gate, Limiter)? But, how would I then run this back out of the PC and into the Mixer without using the sound card or MOBO sound?

I have checked all audio settings on the PC, they are all set to 50% and it is quiet.

Sorry for all these questions, I am new to Audio and my logic may skew the practicality of it all.

Ok assuming the recording is ok in the computer and it gets distorted when sent to the mixer, did you try to lower the volume of Mixer Line 5/6 on which you send the soundcard output ?

If you would go with a presonus audio interface, they all have phantom power onboard, so no need for an external one.
The Presonus (or other audio interface) would be you only input and output path to the computer. Forget about the sound card and the mixer; most audio interface has a virtual realtime mixer (software). So it becomes your entier sound system in one box (interface and PC) Some also operate as standalone if you wish to listen to sources without powering up the computer.
The other thing is, those budget or semi pro audio interface are ment to record at a higher resolution than sound cards ; often 24bit 96khz compared to Soundblaster 16bit 48khz. This meens the noise flower is lower and the audio gets converted it more precise files with better quality.

Oh, are you using the using the soundblaster and MOBO soundcard at the same time ??

pcrecord, post: 446525, member: 46460 wrote: Ok assuming the recording is ok in the computer and it gets distorted when sent to the mixer, did you try to lower the volume of Mixer Line 5/6 on which you send the soundcard output ?

If you would go with a presonus audio interface, they all have phantom power onboard, so no need for an external one.
The Presonus (or other audio interface) would be you only input and output path to the computer. Forget about the sound card and the mixer; most audio interface has a virtual realtime mixer (software). So it becomes your entier sound system in one box (interface and PC) Some also operate as standalone if you wish to listen to sources without powering up the computer.
The other thing is, those budget or semi pro audio interface are ment to record at a higher resolution than sound cards ; often 24bit 96khz compared to Soundblaster 16bit 48khz. This meens the noise flower is lower and the audio gets converted it more precise files with better quality.

The microphone audio is not distorted when sent through to the Mixer on Line 5/6. The PC System Audio going to Line 5/6 sounds OK. This is all sent out of the PC via the MOBO Audio Out jack.
The microphone is distorted when it is directed out of the PC via the Sound Card Audio Out and into the Mixer Line 1 via a 3.5mm to XLR cable. I need it to go through Line 1 so I can add compression/british eq and monitor the volume separately to the PC System Audio.

I think I may have found the problem from what you have said, I need to test it first though. You mentioned that the Soundblaster should have a resolution of 16bit 48Khz, but I think the input is set to 24bit 48Khz.
I will check this over this evening and come back to you.

pcrecord, post: 446526, member: 46460 wrote: Oh, are you using the using the soundblaster and MOBO soundcard at the same time ??

Yes, I am using both of these at the same time. I could not find a way to split the front and rear audio out jacks, because the ASUS Realtek HD Audio Manager only allows you to split the front and rear mic jacks.

At this point you need to explain what you are trying to do and why..
I can't figured why you wouldn't put the mic in the mic input directly in the mixer. Instead you are going in the Soundblaster and out from the Realtek soundcard and then to the mixer.. DAWM this is some of the track road trip !! ;)

With that, a playstation, an IPhone... ???
Are you even recording anything or is it just live streaming ?
I'm guessing your are a gamer that just didn't find the software to livemix it all like others do..
The last time I've been gaming was in 94' he he he !

pcrecord, post: 446536, member: 46460 wrote: At this point you need to explain what you are trying to do and why..
I can't figured why you wouldn't put the mic in the mic input directly in the mixer. Instead you are going in the Soundblaster and out from the Realtek soundcard and then to the mixer.. DAWM this is some of the track road trip !! ;)

With that, a playstation, an IPhone... ???
Are you even recording anything or is it just live streaming ?
I'm guessing your are a gamer that just didn't find the software to livemix it all like others do..
The last time I've been gaming was in 94' he he he !

I am using this setup to mix my audio and livestream it on Twitch, via the Open Broadcaster Software.

The microphone needs to run through a compressor, gate, limiter first, but I cannot afford the hardware, so I decided to run it through the PC first. Then it runs into the mixer to manage all the audio levels in one place, rather than through multiple software windows. The mixer also allows me to add FX live to the microphone only.

I prefer using the hardware, because I find turning knobs easier to understand than messing with line graphs and numbers in the software.

TheTundraWolf, post: 446537, member: 50302 wrote: I am using this setup to mix my audio and livestream it on Twitch, via the Open Broadcaster Software.

The microphone needs to run through a compressor, gate, limiter first, but I cannot afford the hardware, so I decided to run it through the PC first. Then it runs into the mixer to manage all the audio levels in one place, rather than through multiple software windows. The mixer also allows me to add FX live to the microphone only.

I prefer using the hardware, because I find turning knobs easier to understand than messing with line graphs and numbers in the software.

Well that's it !!! Why don't put the mic in the mixer mic input with the compressor ? This mic input even has phantom power ! It would eliminate the round trip to and from the computer... With good gain staging, you might even greatly reduce the noises you spoke about

pcrecord, post: 446538, member: 46460 wrote: Well that's it !!! Why don't put the mic in the mixer mic input with the compressor ? This mic input even has phantom power ! It would eliminate the round trip to and from the computer... With good gain staging, you might even greatly reduce the noises you spoke about

I have tried putting it through the Mixer itself, but it seems to be super sensitive and picks up everything in the office (PS4/PC fans, keyboard strokes, mouse clicks, controller inputs).
What I will have to do is run just the microphone through the mixer, into the PC and then through Adobe Audition to remove the surrounding noise.

Then look into another mixer for for all the other audio inputs (no XLR inputs), so I can mix everything with ease.

TheTundraWolf, post: 446539, member: 50302 wrote: I have tried putting it through the Mixer itself, but it seems to be super sensitive and picks up everything in the office (PS4/PC fans, keyboard strokes, mouse clicks, controller inputs).
What I will have to do is run just the microphone through the mixer, into the PC and then through Adobe Audition to remove the surrounding noise.
.

Well, having ambiant sounds would be better than a distorted signal that might hide those sames sounds anyway.
First, deactivate the compressor by puting it to zero, put the level to zero and the gain at -10. Also put the fx to minu infinity.
Second, talk into the mic at the recommanded distance and in front of the capsule (6 to 9 inches) and push up the gain slowly until you get a good level.
Check for ambiant sound, is it ok ? If not, try to make use of the pickup patern (cardioid mic rejects what hits the back of the mic, if you can, change your position in order to use that rejection)
If it sounds good, then you can add compression but check the levels and be sure you don't compress more than 3 to 6 db. (this compressor has fixed settings but still have a thresold that determine at what level the compression begins, so you what to reduce just the outburst of louder talking.
Then you can fiddle with effects etc.. Try and give me some feedback how it goes..

If the mic clip led light up, lower the gain before activating the compressor...

When all this works, you will only use the mixer with the USB cable to the computer.. no other sound card. It should be plain, simple and effective ;)

pcrecord, post: 446541, member: 46460 wrote: Well, having ambiant sounds would be better than a distorted signal that might hide those sames sounds anyway.
First, deactivate the compressor by puting it to zero, put the level to zero and the gain at -10. Also put the fx to minu infinity.
Second, talk into the mic at the recommanded distance and in front of the capsule (6 to 9 inches) and push up the gain slowly until you get a good level.
Check for ambiant sound, is it ok ? If not, try to make use of the pickup patern (cardioid mic rejects what hits the back of the mic, if you can, change your position in order to use that rejection)
If it sounds good, then you can add compression but check the levels and be sure you don't compress more than 3 to 6 db. (this compressor has fixed settings but still have a thresold that determine at what level the compression begins, so you what to reduce just the outburst of louder talking.
Then you can fiddle with effects etc.. Try and give me some feedback how it goes..

I have set up my Microphone to run through the Mixer then into the PC, through Adobe Audition and into Open Broadcaster Software.

Mixer Settings
Gain: 0 or +20
Compressor: 3
EQ High: 0
EQ Mid: 0
EQ Low: 9
Level: 0
Main Mix: 0

Adobe Audition
Adaptive Noise Reduction: http://imgur.com/a/WQRkA
Dynamics Processing: http://imgur.com/a/3EQO7
Hard Limiter: http://imgur.com/a/F9U5V

I still hear little bits of noise around my office, but that is only; keyboard strokes (quiet), chair squeaks, putting stuff down on my desk and doors opening.

I did try and run just the microphone through the Mixer and into the PC, then straight into Open Broadcaster Software. The problem there is that my microphone picks up everything around me A LOT louder and it will also pick people speaking outside of my office. When I turn down the gain/compressor to compensate for that, my audio through the mic is drastically quieter.

Your explanation of setting up the mixer was a lot easier than a YouTube video, so thank you for that.
Let me know if there is anything else I can do to improve the audio quality on the microphone.

I appreciate the help so far :)

Yes, I have set the Mixer up to run through USB into my PC :)

This is my current setup and positioning of everything.
Understandably there is not much leeway with the nature of what I am doing - live streaming games.

http://imgur.com/a/J0imy

TheTundraWolf, post: 446545, member: 50302 wrote: I still hear little bits of noise around my office, but that is only; keyboard strokes (quiet), chair squeaks, putting stuff down on my desk and doors opening.

That's not so bad and it makes your environement alive..

TheTundraWolf, post: 446545, member: 50302 wrote: I did try and run just the microphone through the Mixer and into the PC, then straight into Open Broadcaster Software. The problem there is that my microphone picks up everything around me A LOT louder and it will also pick people speaking outside of my office.

Did you try with lower gain setting ? and lower level ?

I'm glad I could help ! Those are not our common setup for recording music and home studios.. but hey audio is audio...

pcrecord, post: 446547, member: 46460 wrote: That's not so bad and it makes your environement alive..

With live streaming you kind of want to have all other audio but your voice cut out from your microphone. I guess it is pretty similar to pod-casting.

pcrecord, post: 446547, member: 46460 wrote: Did you try with lower gain setting ? and lower level ?

I'm glad I could help ! Those are not our common setup for recording music and home studios.. but hey audio is audio...

Yeah, I tried lower gain and level, but it just makes the mic too quiet.

What would be the common setup for recording music and home studio? I may be missing something and could make the audio sound better without running it through Adobe Audition.

when the gain is up and you are still going with the usb connection did you try to deactivate the compressor.. Remember they reduce loud sound (you voice) and will let more of the quiter sounds..

I guess you could try a gate in audition, with the right threshold it should cut the mic signal and open it only when you talk. it won't remove other sounds that happen while you talk but certainly the typing and other sounds,,,

For recording we try to have a very quiet room and control some of the reflection to the walls..

pcrecord, post: 446549, member: 46460 wrote: when the gain is up and you are still going with the usb connection did you try to deactivate the compressor.. Remember they reduce loud sound (you voice) and will let more of the quiter sounds..

I guess you could try a gate in audition, with the right threshold it should cut the mic signal and open it only when you talk. it won't remove other sounds that happen while you talk but certainly the typing and other sounds,,,

For recording we try to have a very quiet room and control some of the reflection to the walls..

I changed up my settings on the mixer and sent the audio to my PC via the Main Out jacks, because the USB would generate a constant static noise.
Once in the PC it is fed straight into Open Broadcaster Software, where I apply Noise Suppression and Noise Gate Settings.

Mixer Settings
Gain: -2.5 or +17.5
Comp: 1
EQ High: -3
EQ Mid: -3
EQ Low: +15
Level: 0
Main Mix: 0

OBS Settings
Noise Suppression (dB): -30
Noise Gate:
Close Threshold (dB): -32.00
Open Threshold (dB): -26.00
Attack Time (milliseconds): 25
Hold Time (milliseconds): 200
Release Time (milliseconds): 150

What are your thoughts on the final outcome of this?

I need to find a bit of software that I can apply those settings, near enough exactly, so that I can have the same quality fed into Discord, Skype and Games.
If you know of any software that has these settings and not very CPU intensive, let me know.

Thanks dude! :)

TheTundraWolf, post: 446577, member: 50302 wrote: because the USB would generate a constant static noise

This is what I'd like to try to fix.. or attenuate.
Try to move around the mixer and listen if the noise change, it might be near a something that generate noise. Could be a light dimmer, an AC adapter on the same powerbar...

TheTundraWolf, post: 446577, member: 50302 wrote: Once in the PC it is fed straight into Open Broadcaster Software, where I apply Noise Suppression and Noise Gate Settings.

If you still use noise suppression, are you saying the noise is too bad from the usb setup to be controled via the same Tools ?

pcrecord, post: 446580, member: 46460 wrote: This is what I'd like to try to fix.. or attenuate.
Try to move around the mixer and listen if the noise change, it might be near a something that generate noise. Could be a light dimmer, an AC adapter on the same powerbar...

If you still use noise suppression, are you saying the noise is too bad from the usb setup to be controled via the same Tools ?

The mixer is currently sat on the far right of my desk in front of a monitor, not much space to be moved away from anything.
The mixer will either be in front of 1 or 2 monitors, or next to the PC itself. All of these will generate electronic noise, if that is what is causing the constant static noise through USB.

The Noise Suppression and Gate has no effect on the static, because when I talk it is there.

The sound seems to be fine through the jacks, unless you can hear something that I cannot hear from the recording.
How did you find the quality of sound regarding the microphone?