Ableton Forum

Just bought a brand new Shure SM57 and I'm connecting it through an XLR to 1/4 jack into a scarlett 2i2 and then using ableton but I'm getting nothing, no sound whatsoever. I then plugged it into an amp to try and again nothing.

Is this just a broken sm57 or am I doing something wrong here?

Doesn't the 2i2 have an xlr input? No need for using a 1/4 converter if it does. Go xlr to xlr whenever possible. Though maybe I just misunderstood you.


Are you getting any signal at all, including noise? Try adjusting the gain, and make sure your input settings on the interface and in Ableton are correct (including monitor).

Also try with a different cable if you have one, that could be an issue.

Do other instruments/sources work?

Failing all the above I would imagine you do indeed have a bad mic. But sm57's are simple and built like tanks so that does seem unlikely for a brand new one.

sonik777 wrote:Doesn't the 2i2 have an xlr input? No need for using a 1/4 converter if it does. Go xlr to xlr whenever possible. Though maybe I just misunderstood you.


Are you getting any signal at all, including noise? Try adjusting the gain, and make sure your input settings on the interface and in Ableton are correct (including monitor).

Also try with a different cable if you have one, that could be an issue.

Do other instruments/sources work?

Failing all the above I would imagine you do indeed have a bad mic. But sm57's are simple and built like tanks so that does seem unlikely for a brand new one.

Getting nothing whatsoever. It's the only cable I have at the minute, but it's definitely not the cable as it works fine on another mic that I have. The other mic also works fine with the same set up.

EDIT: After another check there does seem to be just a low pitch white noise if I turn the input up quite high on the scarlett 2i2 but still not picking anything up

Cal505 wrote:

sonik777 wrote:Doesn't the 2i2 have an xlr input? No need for using a 1/4 converter if it does. Go xlr to xlr whenever possible. Though maybe I just misunderstood you.


Are you getting any signal at all, including noise? Try adjusting the gain, and make sure your input settings on the interface and in Ableton are correct (including monitor).

Also try with a different cable if you have one, that could be an issue.

Do other instruments/sources work?

Failing all the above I would imagine you do indeed have a bad mic. But sm57's are simple and built like tanks so that does seem unlikely for a brand new one.

Getting nothing whatsoever. It's the only cable I have at the minute, but it's definitely not the cable as it works fine on another mic that I have. The other mic also works fine with the same set up.

EDIT: After another check there does seem to be just a low pitch white noise if I turn the input up quite high on the scarlett 2i2 but still not picking anything up

You're not feeding that other mic 48v by any chance?

you need to use the right cable, XLR -> XLR. what is your other microphone?

http://www.neumann.com/homestudio/en/ho ... -interface

No I wasn't feeding it 48v, it was on the exact same setting for both mics. I'm not too sure what mic it is, it's just some old cheap mic I found that I just used to test if it works.

I'll have to try a XLR to XLR cable.

What made me think it's definitely the mic is when I plugged it into and amp via an XLR to 1/4 cable and again nothing but a low fuzzy sound.

Cal505 wrote:No I wasn't feeding it 48v, it was on the exact same setting for both mics. I'm not too sure what mic it is, it's just some old cheap mic I found that I just used to test if it works.

I'll have to try a XLR to XLR cable.

What made me think it's definitely the mic is when I plugged it into and amp via an XLR to 1/4 cable and again nothing but a low fuzzy sound.

does your XLR -> Jack cable have a TS or TRS jack?

my bet would be that you are using an XLR -> TS Jack cable, and your old microphone is unbalanced, which is why it passes some signal. on the other hand, the SM57, like most pro mics, is balanced, and won't work with that cable.

the other thing is, with most audio interfaces that have combo (XLR + Jack) inputs, the XLR part of the combo input goes to a higher gain mic preamp, and the jack part is line level (sometimes switchable to instrument level for connecting guitars).

basically XLR -> XLR is the way to go with your SM57...

Bought a XLR to XLR cable and it all works fine

Thanks for the responses guys!