microphone question

mlabs · Post by **mlabs** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:39 pm

This question is not about Live per se, though I would appreciate a response if anyone here knows the answer anyway!

Live records my microphone's signal as being VERY quiet, and when I jack up the gain it gets really, really noisy. Even if I hit the "Input Level" button on the quattro, it's still noisy as hell. Here's my setup:

Live 3.0 with M-Audio Quattro as the interface. The mic in question is a little Oktava MK12 microphone, reuiring 48 volts of phantom power (which unfortunately the Quattro doesn't provide). The mic is running via XLR to a Rolls Pb23 phantom power adapter. Out from the PB23, I have an XLR to TRS cable going into the Quattro.

My question is: is the signal so quiet because I shouldn't be using a TRS cable with the Quattro? Is it possible the signal would be cleaner (and louder) if I used a xlr to 1/4 inch cord? Or is this just a symptom of poor mic preamps on the Quattro?

Thanks for the help!

-Chris.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:00 pm

sounds like the quattro inputs are 1/4 unbalanced (I'm not sure, but check the specs). Your mic signal path is fine, except for this fact. Changing from XLR to 1/4 unbalanced won't help, your quattro is ingnoring the ring part of the TRS as it is now, and treating it as a 1/4" cable. Balanced TRS lines have much stronger signals, and when it gets stepped down to 1/4" unbalanced, you lose a lot of signal.

Ryan

mlabs · Post by **mlabs** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:59 pm

ryan, thank you!

I'm sure you are exactly right.

...But what do I do about it? Split the XLR into two unbalanced 1.4" cables?

Thanks again,
-Chris.

dpel · Post by **dpel** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:07 pm

chris,
that still doesn't help the fact that your quattro is assumed
unbalanced. it only accepts unbalanced signals.
either whiich way you look at it, you need some kind of gain conversion.

it sounds like you're using a cool mic. you need a line amp or a micro mixer.
or Radio ShaQ might have something useful.
you need to go from balanced XLR to unbalanced 1/4 inch.
i would spend a little bit of $$ to keep the mic sounding good.
DBX used to make an excellent line amp. maybe they still do.

dpel