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Just a quick question here. I'm getting a really low level when recording vocals. I have an Mbox mini, and Shure SM58 mic. The gain is maxed out and I'm still getting low levels. I was just wondering if it's because I'm recording with a dynamic mic instead of a condensor,or if something else is wrong. Thanks.
 

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audiokid Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:10

I know nothing about MBox Mini but I'll try to help until a more familiar member chimes in on this Holiday Weekend.

Is there a gain setting in M Box itself ( somewhere in the audio input section)? You could have the AD gain set to -10 -20 pad or something. Put it to +4 first and see how that goes.
You could also be plagued with poor gain with the M Box itself and yes, and condenser would have more gain than a dynamic.

LaLaland Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:25

audiokid, post: 360272 wrote: I know nothing about MBox Mini but I'll try to help until a more familiar member chimes in on this Holiday Weekend.

Is there a gain setting in M Box itself ( somewhere in the audio input section)? You could have the AD gain set to -10 -20 pad or something. Put it to +4 first and see how that goes.
You could also be plagued with poor gain with the M Box itself and yes, and condenser would have more gain than a dynamic.

Forgive my exaggeration if you already know this, but there are 2 inputs on the mbox mini, but I'm only using Input 1. The gain knob is the "Input 1" knob and it's maxed out. There's a pad button on the back, however it's not pushed in, therefore not active. So, it's not a pad problem...Just for a reference of what I'm talking about...
  

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TheJackAttack Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:27

The waveform you show in the picture is plenty to work with in the digital realm provided it sounds good. Normalize it to -6dB and be done with it. PT records at 24bits so it does take more input to "max" it out which again is unnecessary. A condenser microphone would be a hotter signal but not by itself better. On the MBox itself, some things to look for are line/mic switch. Make sure it is set to mic. I'm not sure if there is a software switch for that since I don't own an MBox and am not particularly familiar with CoreAudio.

edit: I guess the MBox lists it as mic/DI. Make sure both those buttons are in the out position (Pad and Mic).