Shure mic..M-Audio Fastrack Pro...Garageband...no or low sound

Are the two push-buttons immediately to the right of the microphone inputs on the front panel (Instrument/Line and Pad) both not pushed in?

One thing about Dynamic mics like the SM58 is they need a really good mic preamp with a lot of headroom for a lot of gain. I don't have a Fast Track Pro, but the preamp in this unit may need to be jacked up all the way to the right to get a good level. This might be too noisy for a nice clean recording.

Now, I don't know this for sure because I don't have this equipment, but I have used Shure dynamics mics (55sh and Beta58) and I notice they have this quality.

So, let us know how it goes. If the preamp is not up to the task, then you would be faced with getting a condenser mic or a better preamp.

-Geoff
Fundamentals of Digital Audio Podcast
http://digiaudio.blogspot.com

If the preamp is not up to the task, then you would be faced with getting a condenser mic

I think you are misunderstanding what a Condenser mic is, it does not boost the signal, it does not have a preamp built in. Additionally, the FTP does not supply Phantom power, so it would not work at all with his interface.

it does not have a preamp built in.

Actually, it does have a preamp built in.




He is talking about the sensitvity of dynamic mic's. Versus condensers, dynamic mic's typically are less sensitive and require more gain to bring the signal up to the same level as a typical condenser with higer sensitivity.


A typical dynamic sensitivity rating of say -54dB versus a LDC condenser with a rating of -34db, is relatively significant.


And typically -59dB requires almost 60db of gain to hit zero on the meter.

Additionally, the FTP does not supply Phantom power

I believe the Fast Track Pro does provide phantom power.


But if one has an interface that doesn't supply 48VDC, it's easy enough to obtain an external phantom power supply to use condensers that need 48VDC supplied.

I believe the Fast Track Pro does provide phantom power.

That's correct.

Oops, indeed, I managed to type FTP and glance at the standard FT which doesn't have Phantom Power. The FTP does indeed offer it.

As for the pre amp, technically, yes, there's a preamp in a condenser mic, but that's is not the solution I would suggest to someone that not getting enough level from their dynamic mic plugged into a preamp. Fixing what you have is the first thing.

(I've got to stop posting while driving...)