help!

[medusa]

hi there!
i'm using samplitude on a p4-3.06 with 1gb ddr machine with RME hammerfall
multiface, an AKG C414-BTL-II microphone, and a custom made mic pre-amp (i'm
not rich, i have funding from a record company )

now here's the problem-
when i record stuff that are not very loud- like an acoustic guitar or
classical guitar, I get a very low signal with a lot of background hiss. I
tried all 4 polarity patterns on the mic. I double checked i'm using +4db
balanced cables both on the outputs and the inputs. and still, only on the
max +55db on the preamp I get a normal signal from an acoustic guitar.

where might be my problem?
thanks in advance,
yoni.

 

[realdynamix]

Hi! You should not have that noise. You say you get a normal signal with the pre maxed, what reference are you trying to hit 0dbfs (peak on the digital meter), or an average of around -15 to -5 or so?

(1) Is the input a true balanced input?
(2) Is there 48 volts of phantom power?
(3) Is the output +4db balanced, and is the input to your card set to +4db balanced.

--Rick

 

[medusa]

hey!
i'm trying to get an average of -10db, as you said. The input is balanced, i'm using the 48volts of phantom power, and i just checked in the manual, and the default setting is +4db, so it is. :|
i guess the problem lies with the pre-amp, right?

 

[realdynamix]

Originally posted by medusa:
i guess the problem lies with the pre-amp, right?

Hi, maybe, is the pad switch on the mic set to zero? Make sure the cables are wired properly, and that all are in good condition.
A broken connection to just one of the pins 2, or 3, will reduce the output by almost 20db. This can happen on the mic side, as well as on the pre out side. If those check out, then I would say the mic, or pre could be bad.

--Rick

 

[medusa]

hey!
took the pre-amp back to the lab where he added me 6dB of gain. Now everything works like a charm!
thanks for all the help

yoni