Microphone Levels really low

I don't have an interface like yours but...

did you go into System Preferences, then sound, then input, then crank up the input volume yet?

Don't forget to post your results.

(& don't forget the helpful/solved points)

I am having the exact same problem. I have an Audio-Technic AT822 stereo mic plugged into the front of my Fast track pro, and that goes into my PB G4 10.4.5 running GB. The cable from my mic goes to two seperate 1/4 plugs, one for channel one and one for two. I also changed the battery to the mic.

I re-installed M-Audio drivers from the one on their web site, repaired Disk Perm, etc. I did this with tech support from M-Audio, among other things.

On the fast track pro, even if I have the gain controls up to just about max (4 o'clock) and I have the levels in GB for that track set at just about max, I still get about 1/3 the way on the green mix levels.

At the store I got the M-Audio unit from, they thought it could be a mic issue, and althought the mic I have is a good one, they said it might be better for recording to one of those direct to disk recorder things.

Could this be?

If I plug my jazz guitar (single pick-up) directly into one of the 2 inputs on the front of the FTP, I can turn the gain to a little over hal way, GB's mixer level to a little more than half way, and this seems to work pretty well, with good sound, although I hear a buzzing sound that is not as bad during playback.

But I'd really like to use the mic, because I'm trying to record acoustic guitar.

Any ideas. Do I need a better mic? One that uses phantom power, whatever the **** that is?

I have gone into the Apple Midi set-up utility, and if the FastTrack Pro is selected as the input device, the volume sliders at the bottom of the window gray out, and at a level of just about zero

Thanks.

Jonathan

Get rid of fast track. It dosn't work (from experiance). Get a cheap mic and a cheap amp. Then get a conversion cord and and just plug the amp from the output directly into the computer. That should work.

just plug the amp from
the output directly into the computer.

As long as it's a LINE OUT:

http://thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html#amplineout

Hi Eez. What kind of mic is it? (make/model) Does it use batteries? If so, have they been replaced? Have you tried adjusting the sensitivity of the mic? Are you using any effects, or is it a dry track?

Also regarding the comment about the Fast Track, it is a very good piece of equipment used by many musicians. There is no history of it ever having problems. However, as with all sensitive electronics make sure that before you update drivers that you uninstall the old ones first, then reboot and install the new drivers. This will cut down on any driver corruption during installation. Also, never plug an amps output directly into a line input of a computer. As mentioned make sure that it's a line output, otherwise you could do damage to the amp, the computer, or both. Regarding your original question, I wouldn't use an amp at all. Use an interface like the one you have for this.

You may also want to go into the Garageband prefs and make sure the Fastrack is selected in the pop up devices. Garageband defaults to the built in mic, which of course would give you lower volumes.

For usb audio devices this procedure works the best for me:

1. Connect the device with the computer off.

2. Start up your mac

3. Open Garageband and save the new session.

4. Open the Garageband prefs.

5. Select your audio device from the pop up menu and click o.k when it asks you if you want to initialize, etc.

6. Save, Quit Garageband and reopen it.

Kurt

I've often wondered about this, and would like to offer the intriguing detail that on my iMac G4 10.3.9 the volume slider in the track info is greyed out at maximum. It has always been like this (GB2 and GB3 - I didn't have the M-Audio with GB1)
On my iBook G3 10.3.4 the volume slider is available and useable. I have only run GB2 on this machine.

This has baffled me for ages.

On the general use of the Fast Track, i find it works pretty well, I have to turn the mic input almost all the way up (getting on for half past 4) - (5 o'clock gives too much background noise) but can record acoustic guitar
vocals, etc, and children in the next room if they are loud enough (Grrrr!)

I don't know anything about the M-Audio FastTrack but your condenser mic needs phantom power to get a usable signal. If the FastTrack can supply it great! Find the switch and turn it on. If not, then you need to either get/beg/borrow either a small mixer (I use a Mackie 1204) that supplies phantom power or a phantom power supply that would go between your mic and the FastTrack.

For those of you on this thread who don't know what phantom power is... It is usually 48 Volt power fed to the capacitor in the mic that amplifies the signal enough for your mixer/recording software/tape to pick it up. All condenser mics need this power to work.

Good luck with Finals.