Cryptic Lu
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Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
Hey everyone,
I just got Sonar X1 Producer, and I hooked my mic and interface up to it. My interface is an alesis interface LE5 i believe. All the drivers are hooked up and match. The thing is, i can record vocals but the volume is so low on the vocals. Ive added new tracks, and I even put all of the volume up for the vocal track but nothing works. When I record and even yell it shows negative dB or whatever. Ive reinstalled sonar twice. Any ideas on how to fix it?
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Jonbouy
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 08:43:16
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I think you are referring to the Alesis io2 which is bundled with Cubase LE5.
I'm not familiar with that interface so maybe someone that is will chime in with some settings to look for that work for it.
Meanwhile you could try setting the input trim on the armed track to a higher level to see if that improves matters.
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Beagle
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 08:45:04
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you'll need to be more specific on exactly what your interface is. there's no such thing as an Alesis LE5. the Alesis IO2 comes with Cubase LE5 - is that maybe what you're talking about?
also, we need to know what driver mode you're using and your mic make and model. does it require phantom power? do you have phantom power turned on your interface (assuming your interface has phantom power).
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 08:56:04
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The specs of the Alesis IO2 are here: http://www.alesis.com/io2 and you can see that they are not actually specs. What you can see is that they use a 600ohm input for both the Mic and the Guitar (a.k.a Hi-Z???) input. I think there is a reason they do not specify the expected nominal input levels or the gain you can expect to have at your disposal. I think you are finding out the reason. I suggest you shop for an interface that has some published specs that indicate that you can expect the amount of gain you need. very best regards, mike
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Karyn
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 09:01:09
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Cryptic Lu
Hey everyone,
When I record and even yell it shows negative dB or whatever.
It's supposed to be like that, it means "db level below the maximum possible". You should be aiming for an average record level around -18 to -12.
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Jonbouy
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 09:04:57
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I suggest you shop for an interface that has some published specs that indicate that you can expect the amount of gain you need. Or get a high impedance mic. which is what the interface looks to be 'designed' for. Having said that this does limit you to mics that tend to be cheaper and because high impedance means that you will be more prone to hiss and buzzing I would say a better interface that works with a low impedance source will be a much better bet for recording.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/11/04 09:12:55
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 09:18:23
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Not to quibble... but there doesn't seem to be a Hi-impedance input on that box.
I think it's just a box with some connectors on it... and inside there's some op amps and stuff... but none of it is standardized to any level that we might associate with any standards... and that is why, when you plug something into the familiar looking connectors, it doesn't come out the way one might hope.
So it seems easy, for me, to accept that the box has too little gain on the "mic preamp circuit" to be useful.
A cheap hi-gain condenser mic with a built in phantom powered preamp might make up for the I/O's inability. You could maybe get some nice hyped mids or something like that.
all the best,
mike
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Cryptic Lu
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 12:33:24
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Its weird though because I bought the mic and program from a friend and they never had problems with it. It might be my interface, however, I went to a music store and they preferred this interface to me. When I get a chance ill post the mic i have.
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Jonbouy
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 12:34:52
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Not to quibble... but there doesn't seem to be a Hi-impedance input on that box.
It's probably a dual purpose jack on the XLR connector. From what I can ascertain from the specs it doesn't matter what connector you'd use it all equates to needing a high-impedance source whether from a guitar or mic but I think that is because the specs don't seem to be clear at all.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/11/04 13:14:53
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Jonbouy
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 12:40:52
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Cryptic Lu
Its weird though because I bought the mic and program from a friend and they never had problems with it. It might be my interface, however, I went to a music store and they preferred this interface to me. When I get a chance ill post the mic i have.
Is there a switch on the interface that changes it from line in to mic in? Ahh, I can see it now it's on the top, make sure the switches on the top are set to mic/line, then you will need the mic plugged in the large XLR connector socket. If the mic will only go into the socket marked Guitar/Line Input then set the input switch to 'Guitar' (in the case of a Hi-Impedance mic) ONLY enable the +48v if you are sure this is a condenser microphone that needs phantom power. Make sure input is set to Analog. Lastly make sure the Gain control is turned up a good amount. The main level is generally turned up to 100% (unity) leaving the computer to control reductions in level.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/11/04 12:53:34
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 13:24:42
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Yes, but the "specification" they list for the Guitar input is 600 Ohms input impedance... which is decidely Lo-Z.
A Hi-Z input for a guitar is usually *stereotyped* as something like 1 Mega Ohm.
Maybe the web page has a typo.
I'm confused.
all the best,
mike
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adrian4u
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Re:Sonar X1 Producer : Input Levels Low
2011/11/04 15:47:54
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Meanwhile you could try setting the input trim on the armed track to a higher level to see if that improves matters.
FORGET IT - I've asked several times about INPUT GAIN for incoming audio - the only answer I've get from forum users was "buy better interface!". Nobody seen that this is a kind of joke by CW team. And - sad but true.... it looks that almost no one here have even a bit of criticism - everyone is love-blind with allmighty Sonar :-P For me it's simple - few DAW's have it, why not Sonar? - it should work as a normal GAIN in normal mixer. For now it works only for already recorded audio. So answer is: try to record your instruments with maximum level without overdrive, then use brilliant invention: GAIN.
Phenom II x6 1100T (OC to 6x 4,1gHz), 8gB DDR3/1600gHz RAM, Win7/64; SONAR Producer X1c; Korgs: Z1, M50, Triton Rack, TRinity Rack; NI Maschine; Behringer BCF-R2000; MOTU 828mk3 FW; Edirol Edirol UA-1000; guitars: Cort Z-Custom, LAG JET100 totally customed, Cort SFX-DAO; some other music toys, one very musical cat  *************************************** Be patient for newbie ;)
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