I can't record myself singing!!! pleaseee help us :__(

[nymeria3]

Hi, I'm starting a band with my friend, and we are both going crazy cause we don't know how to record our voices. We're absolutely new on this, and we have no idea how this stuff works. We really need your help

This is what we have:

-Mac
-M-Audio Fast Track Pro
-Mic conected by Jack to M-Audio
-Ableton Live 7

Once we start recording something in the audio track (we select M-Audio input 1, mono), it sounds so low, and we have no idea why. Then when we hear the result it's so frustrating, cause we can hardly hear our voices (speakers top volume conected to M-Audio's output) . We don' t see any light in the M-Audio signal light, that tells us that line is going in, even though the voice is recorded. Does anyone know what's wrong? Is it clear enough? We hope to hearing from you.So baaaaad.

Thanks guys!!

Laura&Nymeria

[eddiex]

pad.....check your pad, which is the button underneath the input....if its pushed in, it will cut 20 db off of your input.....also, what kind of mic are you using?

[Warrior Bob]

The Fast Track Pro is supposed to record somewhat quietly from what I've read. But not THAT quietly.

Make sure the input level on the Fast Track is turned up, and the pad (if any) is disabled. If you're using a condenser microphone, make sure phantom power is on. Open up the M-Audio software and see if there's any kind of control for the mic levels.

Try scratching the mic grille with your fingertip. You should see a spike in signal level in the track.

Best of luck!

[jestermgee]

Hi and welcome.

If you are really new and don't really know what you are working with I would recommend first doing a bit of research on the hardware you have and getting familiar with how it works and what it does.

Make sure the input you are using for your mic has the right gain (eg it's a mic input, not line input), be sure your mic doesn't need phantom power, be sure you are routing things correctly in software.

You dont need to know everything, just get to know your gear. If you know what things do then it will make any probs you may have much easier to figure out.