Connected my new preamp to Alesis Multimix 16 USB but still getting a lot of hiss.I need a hiss-free recording?
I just bought the ART TUBE MP Preamp. I connected my Phantom powered Microphone to it (with XLR of course) and then I hooked it up to my Alesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 Mixer using a 1/4 inch lead. The input in the Alesis Mixer has no gain or built in preamp (line 9) to try minimize any unwanted hiss.
Yet I'm still getting as much hiss as before and it's made no difference after I've tried everything! Could it be the preamp, the Mixer or should I get something else? If I don't use phantom power it's fine, but I need it in order to use my microphone properly.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
God bless
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Sounds to me like the hiss might be coming from the tube mp. try
Sounds to me like the hiss might be coming from the tube mp.
try that same mic on one of the alesis main xlr channels w/out the art., do you get any hiss then?
i have a multimix 16 firewire, and i use some pre's in the same fasion and have no problems with hiss. maybe you have the gain up too high?
also could be the mic? do you have another to test?
Do a bit of logical problem-solving on this one. The hiss must
Do a bit of logical problem-solving on this one.
The hiss must be coming from one or more of (a) the mic (what is the mic, by the way?), (b) the ART pre-amp (c) the Alesis Multimix. Check first, though, that you don't have a pad engaged on the mic.
(1) Does the hiss amplitude vary with the gain on the ART pre-amp and is not audible when the gain is at minimum? If yes, it's (a) or (b), goto step 2. If no, it's (c), goto step 3.
(2) Turn the phantom power off on the pre-amp so the mic is un-powered, or plug in a dynamic mic. Do you still get hiss when the gain is set to its normal position? If yes, it's (b) - the noise floor on the pre-amp is too high for the mic you are using. If no, it's (a) - your mic is too noisy for the use your are putting it to. Stop.
(3) You have something wrong with the gain staging. The pre-amp output should be connected to a balanced line input of the Multimix, with the Multimix gain set no more than 6dB above minimum. Use the ART pre-amp gain to set the output level. Try also the Aux Return A left input, although there is no EQ on this route.
By having a pad engaged you are adding connections in the circui
By having a pad engaged you are adding connections in the circuit path and cutting the signal. The former can add interference if the switch connections are not good, and the latter require turning the preamp hotter. Most cheap interface preamps do not perform well at the top end of their gain stage. They become quite noisy.
Also, bear in mind that the Alesis Multimix series in all its various versions has a reputation for mixed quality control and to sometimes be a bit buggy. That does not disallow the possibility that you have a poor quality/damaged mic or a bad mic cable or similar.
I'm not positive, but you might be trying to go from a balanced
I'm not positive, but you might be trying to go from a balanced out of the ART to an unbalanced in of the Alesis.
This could result in you losing half of your signal.
It's at least a place to start looking into.