Newbie - Volume Question

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cslarson5
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2011/03/20 13:17:42 (permalink)

Newbie - Volume Question

Hi all -
 
I am just starting to use Sonar Home Studio 7 for recording at my makeshift home studio.  Right now, I am dealing with an issue of recording an acoustic guitar (fingerpicked) into a Zoom H2.  My problem is, the recorded volume is too low, and I cant find how to raise the overall level in Cakewalk, thus boosting the heard volume.
 
I know this is probably a really basic question, but I am just getting started and any help would be appreciated.
 
Thanks!
 
Chris
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    daveny5
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/03/20 18:42:56 (permalink)
    Check the Windows mixer and the mixer for your soundcard (if you have a separate one) and make sure the input fader is not turned down. 
    post edited by daveny5 - 2011/03/20 18:45:09

    Dave
    Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F
    Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX
    Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic.
    Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. 
    Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
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    Beagle
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/03/20 19:55:57 (permalink)
    are you using the Zoom H2 as a soundcard in SHS, or are you recording on the H2 standalone and then transferring the files into SHS?

    http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
    i7, 16G DDR3, Win10x64, MOTU Ultralite Hybrid MK3
    Yamaha MOXF6, Hammond XK3c, other stuff.
    #3
    cslarson5
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/03/20 20:46:51 (permalink)
    I am using the H2 as a stand alone, and then transfering the file the computer.
     
    Thanks in advance! 
    #4
    Beagle
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/03/20 21:04:27 (permalink)
    then the problem is likely in the levels you're recording on the H2.  if you were to play those files directly in windows media player, do they still sound very low volume?  probably so.  you need to increase the gain on the h2 somehow.  get it closer to the source or something.

    http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
    i7, 16G DDR3, Win10x64, MOTU Ultralite Hybrid MK3
    Yamaha MOXF6, Hammond XK3c, other stuff.
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    ds76
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/03/20 21:15:57 (permalink)
    I has a similar problem recording using my Tascam unit.  The problem was that the preamps in the Tascam are not very strong.  Just bought a TubePre (Amazon and J&R both sell them) which can accept either an XLR mic or phone plug if you are using a pickup on your guitar.  Solved my problem very quickly.  The tube preamp is really nice. Adda a lot of warmth.  Now when I bring the wave files into Sonar the levels are great.



    #6
    bobbyt9999
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/04/08 18:11:33 (permalink)
    I seem to be having this problem as well.  I have a Mackie ONYX 820i (FireWire)... just got it actually... and love it.  But... as has been mentioned here, I'm not getting enough head room when I record an audio track in Sonar 8 Producer.  I had a look at the TubePre that was mentioned above and am wondering how that would work...  Do I still connect my mic/guitar to the mixer and then the mixer is plugged into the TubePre?  Yes... I'm a complete newb once again after getting my new gear.  Another problem I have been having is there hasn't been very much free time to really sit down and start getting comfortable with it :(

    Thanks in advance for your patience with me... much appreciated.

    /Bobby
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    Beagle
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/04/08 19:28:55 (permalink)
    hi bobby - you can plug the tube pre into the mixer but don't plug it into a mic jack, plug it into a LINE input jack and make sure that your channel is set for line input, not MIC or INSTRUMENT (I am not familiar with the onyx and what settings are on it).

    but don't plug the mic and guitar into the mixer directly AND to the tube pre, just one.

    http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
    i7, 16G DDR3, Win10x64, MOTU Ultralite Hybrid MK3
    Yamaha MOXF6, Hammond XK3c, other stuff.
    #8
    bobbyt9999
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    Re:Newbie - Volume Question 2011/04/08 21:31:12 (permalink)
    Hi Beagle...

    Thanks for the comeback... but I'm in a state of mind right now where I really don't know if I'm coming or going... not NEARLY enough sleep last night.

    I'll have to read your answer again tomorrow to see if I can wrap my pea-brain around it enough to understand what you're telling me.

    Nite!!!
    /Bobby
    #9
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