No tips?

:(

First off Murdock, a microphone doesn't have a low input level. That's a non sequitur. Maybe you're not a nativeborn English speaker?

That is a lovely dynamic microphone and you should be having no problems with that microphone. You will have problems with that microphone depending on what you're trying to do with that microphone, what you're trying to record with that microphone, how you are using it?

The MOTU units microphone preamp should be adequate under most conditions. You may not be understanding how to utilize its software interface? Plugging another microphone preamp in, which did not give you the results you wanted, indicates operator error.

Sit back and wait for more suggestions or contact MOTU about your problems. They might be able to tell you what you're doing wrong with their unit?

It's not rocket science.
Ms. Remy Ann David

I have two Beyer M 201 and initially --when I got them-- I noticed the same issue: level meters showing a very low signal despite the fact that gain is all the way up.

However, when tracking drums (mainly what I bought them for) they have always tracked amazingly well (In fact, sometimes I've had to reduce the gain in the preamp). I am not an expert or technically proficient so I don't know how to explain this behaviour, but maybe it is just that these mics have plenty of headroom.

End of the story: I am quite happy with them (very nice for snare).

Yes, the output level of this microphone might appear low by comparison to a condenser microphone or a newer microphone that features Neodymium magnets. And as the other poster indicated, the intended application for this particular microphone might be very popular for the louder rock-and-roll instruments? And so, may not be entirely appropriate for quiet, low level instruments?

Also, I have found that many newer microphone preamps don't necessarily offer as much gain as some older designs. Older designs had to be used with older technology microphones that produced lower output levels and so required higher gain preamps and the associated noise that went with them. If you don't build as much gain into your preamps, you'll have a lower noise specification, which many people think is better but may not be better, when you don't have enough gain.

If you believe that you might have a defective microphone, I would recommend trying to momentarily substitute that microphone for something such as a Shure SM57 and see if its output level appears similar? Avoid the microphone that have the Neodymium magnets as they produce a greater output level than ferite, ceramic or alnico magnets that older microphones frequently utilize.

In what application are you trying to use this microphone for? You're not very specific as to its use?

I'll take the magnetic macadamias!
Ms. Remy Ann David

Remy's right...the 201 is a low output dynamic, but I would definitely not consider its output to be so low as to be alarming.

IMO, it works BEAUTIFULLY on "scream-o" vocals, drums and horns. However, I've used one on delicate stuff before (with a standard "current" preamp) and had no issues with sensitivity.
It's more sensitive than my ribbons which I use for vocals and woodwinds all the time.

J

Hi!

Sorry, when righting this i was on the phone to… i mean output!

The problem is solved, the wires are in bad shape; the mic’s trapped some humidity inside after to nights in the jungle, after a tricky work that i made.

But the output signal is a little bit low… but that’s ok, they can take a lot of pressure to!

?

I’m using in front of a 4x12 cab and in percussion… better them SM57

Regards

Dynamic microphones aren't normally sensitive to even extreme humidity. Condenser Mike's on the other hand are extremely sensitive to humidity. The Japanese actually tried to use back electret condenser microphones, for their two-way radio communication, in their zeros, which actually didn't work out well for them. They had experienced the same problem with their microphones fading out, becoming distorted, from the humidity in their voices! I actually had a Neumann U87, back in 1978, virtually fadeout when I had a singer working it very closely, without a pop filter! It was the humidity from their breath! Otherwise, dynamic Mike's are relatively insensitive two humidity and other extreme environments, that is why you find them being used for all of the hurricane coverage on television. Those microphones get drenched and still work. The Electro Voice 635, omnidirectional dynamic microphone, is particularly well known in these applications. They are hard to kill.

Of course crappy cables yield crappy results as you have now found out firsthand. It's not a tumor!

Even harder to kill
Ms. Remy Ann David

Hi!

That's right but the cables get real crappy with the moisture.

But now they are fine... with new ones; to the battle of life!

Regards