If the noise gets louder or softer when changing the gain, the preamp's quality is at play.
You should adjust the gain so the level registers -18 db in the recording software. Most plugins sounds better with this kind of input anyway.
%60 gain isn't an important measurement. How much the signal hits the converter and levels in the DAW is more important.
It's better to record at lower level and produce less noises then put up the volume in the DAW if needed. Easy to understand, most budget preamps will produce a lot of noise at high levels but are clean at lower levels, you need to find the sweet spot.
But usually if you have 16tracks that runs at -18db, I'm sure we are near the recommanded mix output (-8 -6 db)
Let the loudness happen in the mastering phase ;)

pcrecord, post: 446485, member: 46460 wrote: If the noise gets louder or softer when changing the gain, the preamp's quality is at play.
You should adjust the gain so the level registers -18 db in the recording software. Most plugins sounds better with this kind of input anyway.
%60 gain isn't an important measurement. How much the signal hits the converter and levels in the DAW is more important.
It's better to record at lower level and produce less noises then put up the volume in the DAW if needed. Easy to understand, most budget preamps will produce a lot of noise at high levels but are clean at lower levels, you need to find the sweet spot.
But usually if you have 16tracks that runs at -18db, I'm sure we are near the recommanded mix output (-8 -6 db)
Let the loudness happen in the mastering phase ;)

Are we talking about -18 db as average or peak?

Plus, considering I have problems with -18 db considering noise would solving 1 help?

Kaan, post: 446486, member: 50244 wrote: Are we talking about -18 db as average or peak?

Average

Kaan, post: 446486, member: 50244 wrote: Plus, considering I have problems with -18 db considering noise would solving 1 help?

Not sure what you are saying.. just know that up to a certain point budget preamps will produce more noise than source signal at each db increase.
For exemple, a preamp may be somewhat clean up to 3/4 of the gain available. So you get equal increase of low noise and instrument/source. But pass this critical 3/4 of gain, you may get 2 - 3 or even 4 times more noise increase than source increase.
In the end you may need to denoise it even at lower gain, but it'll be a far less drastic work with good gain.

Note : SM57 are not loud mics like many dynamics and certainly like its clones. A high gain clean preamp is needed to get good results.
But if you can't afford it, many have better results when using a cloud lifter before the preamp. (which is not so expensive)
deadlinks removed

pcrecord, post: 446487, member: 46460 wrote: Average

Not sure what you are saying.. just know that up to a certain point budget preamps will produce more noise than source signal at each db increase.
For exemple, a preamp may be somewhat clean up to 3/4 of the gain available. So you get equal increase of low noise and instrument/source. But pass this critical 3/4 of gain, you may get 2 - 3 or even 4 times more noise increase than source increase.
In the end you may need to denoise it even at lower gain, but it'll be a far less drastic work with good gain.

Note : SM57 are not loud mics like many dynamics and certainly like its clones. A high gain clean preamp is needed to get good results.
But if you can't afford it, many have better results when using a cloud lifter before the preamp. (which is not so expensive)
deadlinks removed

Unfortunately any purchase is out of my radar right now. But that seems to be a nice little product. By solving 1 I meant this:

I'm powering my USB Audio Interface using the USB connection to laptop. But UR12 has an additional switch which lets me power it from an external adaptor. I don't have the adaptor so I didn't try and know. But in theory powering the interface through USB connection might cause some electrical noise in the recording, right?

Kaan, post: 446613, member: 50244 wrote: I don't have the adaptor so I didn't try and know. But in theory powering the interface through USB connection might cause some electrical noise in the recording, right?

It certainly can help if only to have more stable power for the unit and to supply phantom power if you ever need it.

Did you try to unplug the AC adapter of the laptop and run it on battery ? Noise still there ?

pcrecord, post: 446623, member: 46460 wrote: It certainly can help if only to have more stable power for the unit and to supply phantom power if you ever need it.

Did you try to unplug the AC adapter of the laptop and run it on battery ? Noise still there ?

No, not really. That's because my laptop can't run without battery. It's dead.

Kaan, post: 446624, member: 50244 wrote: No, not really. That's because my laptop doesn't can't run without battery. It's dead.

Life has been hard on you, did it ? ;)