I've been having issues lately and can't figure out what the problem is.    For one, I've been using an Audio Technica AT3035 mic for over 10 years.   But lately when I record, the quality of the tone is off.   The vocals don't sound clear and they distort really easily.
 
But I noticed something else.   When I turn the phantom power off, the right monitor starts flubbing and won't quit until I turn everything off.    I thought maybe it was my monitor, so I used another set of monitors  (KRK's).   Same thing.    The right monitor flubs and won't stop until I turn everything off.
 
So I'm wondering if maybe the issue is my mic (and the monitor is a separate issue) or my Focusrite 2i4 interface.   It's about 2 years old.   Sometimes things just go bad.   I don't want to spend money if I don't need to.  
 
Opinions?
 
Thanks!
Greg

Only the right monitor? Very strange. That's not caused by phantom power.
 
If you can borrow both a condenser and a dynamic mic you could eliminate the phantom power on your interface and the microphone itself from the problem list.
 
Does the interface use USB power or does it have it's own separate power source? (I don't know your model). USB power failure on your PC could be a third potential source needing elimination.
 
But if only the right monitor pumps then it really sounds like interface failure. Sorry.

jpetersen
Only the right monitor? Very strange. That's not caused by phantom power. 

 
But it only does it when I turn phantom power off.
 

jpetersen
If you can borrow both a condenser and a dynamic mic you could eliminate the phantom power on your interface and the microphone itself from the problem list. 

 
But I like using condenser mics for vocals. 
 

jpetersen
Does the interface use USB power or does it have it's own separate power source? (I don't know your model). USB power failure on your PC could be a third potential source needing elimination. 

 
Yes, it uses USB power.   I'll have to check that and see.   
 

jpetersen
But if only the right monitor pumps then it really sounds like interface failure. Sorry.

And with the microphone not sounding right, it also makes me think it could be the interface.
 
Thanks for your input!
Greg

But I like using condenser mics for vocals.

 
This is just for testing purposes (process of elimination), not a solution or workaround!

greg54

jpetersen
Only the right monitor? Very strange. That's not caused by phantom power.

But it only does it when I turn phantom power off.

...which is triggering some side effect. But unless you have your mic panned fully right, there is no  direct cause.

greg54

jpetersen
If you can borrow both a condenser and a dynamic mic you could eliminate the phantom power on your interface and the microphone itself from the problem list.

But I like using condenser mics for vocals.

To test, to test. Only to test. Easy. Relax. Just for testing.

If the borrowed dynamic mic works fine, then your interface's basic functionality is OK.
And if the borrowed condenser microphone also works fine, it's your own mic.
If the borrowed condenser does not work, it's the phantom supply in the interface.
If neither work, it's your interface or a failing USB supply from your PC.

greg54

jpetersen
Does the interface use USB power or does it have it's own separate power source? (I don't know your model). USB power failure on your PC could be a third potential source needing elimination.

Yes, it uses USB power.   I'll have to check that and see.   
 

Yes, I just found out, too. A nice interface, actually. Might consider one myself.

jpetersen

To test, to test. Only to test. Easy. Relax. Just for testing.

If the borrowed dynamic mic works fine, then your interface's basic functionality is OK.
And if the borrowed condenser microphone also works fine, it's your own mic.
If the borrowed condenser does not work, it's the phantom supply in the interface.
If neither work, it's your interface or a failing USB supply from your PC.

  
 
The mic is center.   And I'm not upset.   Telling me to be easy and to relax isn't necessary, thank you.
I didn't understand what you meant is all.
Thanks,
Greg

You need to test every part of the signal chain. Once I was getting a weird static from a mic, at first I thought it was the mic, then the interface (I have a 2i4 as well), and as it turned out, the mic cable was the issue. You never know where the problem may lie, you have to test by swapping out one mic for another, one cable for another, and one interface for another, if you can.

You both have this interface! May I ask,
 
when you turn the Input/Playback knob, does the overall volume get slightly louder when it is in the middle?
 
I ask because I have a presonus and a tascam interface, both with such a knob.
The tascam level remains constant, the presonus definitely is louder in the middle. By about a good 6dB I would guess. It forces me to turn down the headphones when I listen with the knob in the middle.

jpetersen
You both have this interface! May I ask,
 
when you turn the Input/Playback knob, does the overall volume get slightly louder when it is in the middle?
 
I ask because I have a presonus and a tascam interface, both with such a knob.
The tascam level remains constant, the presonus definitely is louder in the middle. By about a good 6dB I would guess. It forces me to turn down the headphones when I listen with the knob in the middle.

I have almost your exact same setup - X3, 2i4 and AT3035!
 
I haven't noticed any thing odd with the levels for the direct monitor knob. One thing: I have the toggle just below it set to mono. If yours is set to stereo, maybe switch to mono and then try.
 

MondoArt
You need to test every part of the signal chain. Once I was getting a weird static from a mic, at first I thought it was the mic, then the interface (I have a 2i4 as well), and as it turned out, the mic cable was the issue. You never know where the problem may lie, you have to test by swapping out one mic for another, one cable for another, and one interface for another, if you can.

I've swapped cables, and it's not the cable.  I'll have to get different mics and check them out.  I'm kind of thinking it may be the phantom power.   When I record keyboards direct, I don't have any problem.   It appears to be only when I use phantom power.
 
Thanks!
Greg