Level wise initially it seemed fine (for me it peaked at -7.1 which is pretty healthy) but you seem to have a gigantic bass build up. Like, sub bass, somewhere at 25Hz. It's distorting the wave enormously. If I do a hefty low cut around 100dB I end up with a normal looking wave with a peak of about -20.6. That's still workable but I would suggest something other than leveling is wrong. I'm a bit baffled by what it is. Do you have any grounding issues?
 
Your noise floor seems quite low by the way, I don't think you should worry about that.
 
Someone else with some technical experience please look at the file, it's really strange. It's like the mic is standing on a plate that's vibrating at around 25Hz.

Yes, there's a HUGE amount of energy down there which fully rolls off at 50Hz.
 
Not sure what's going on. I would suggest you check everything in your chain from Mic  to Sonar.
Double check you've got Phantom Power switched on at the Scarlett and this might sound totally daft but are you singing into the correct side of the mic?

I have a Neumann TLM 103 which also picks up enormous amounts of low-end.
Neither your microphone nor your interface has a low cut filter. (around 80-100Hz)
You may need an inline filter which lets phantom power through.
I use a Shure A15HP.

I've worked with a TLM 103 and it's nothing like this. It's almost as if the regular sound wave is being modulated by an LFO at 25Hz. I've also used a 214 a few times and had no problems either. Something fishy is going on. Any chance of using a different mic, different cable or the other preamp or another interface entirely?

Ah. OK.
So is there an earth loop?
Does it get worse when the OP touches the microphone?

BINGO!  I was singing into the wrong side of the mic!  (how embarassing).
 
Here is a new short wave file - please tell me if this sounds better?   Is the volume at a normal recording level (pre-effects, compression, etc...)   How is the clarity and noise floor?  Or anything I might be missing or need to improve (besides my crap singing lol).
 
Here is the new link:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/42q73q5j5gf3okh/Record%204%20%2812%29.wav?dl=0
 
It is still sounding quite low in the mix (granted, it is raw and untreated), should I be recording any hotter than this?
 
Thanks again everyone!!!
 
-Adam

You're actually clipping at one point so it's already too hot - you need to back off the input gain by at least 6dB

Untreated dynamic vocals can sound weak compared to other instruments.
Once you use the Concrete Limiter or one of the compressors, it will rise in loudness.
 
By the way, I am curious to know if the 25Hz area thing has been solved.
If so, then this microphone will pick up this low-end area from anything playing at the back, so beware in cases where you are playing with drums or bass.

Bristol_Jonesey
You're actually clipping at one point so it's already too hot - you need to back off the input gain by at least 6dB

yes, on the word "care" - i see that.  what is so weird though is that it is clipping, yet the peak is at -3db, I thought clipping means it is hitting 0db, no?
 
Also, maybe im just new to this, but it feels like the track is just lower than where it should be (even though it is not treated yet).   
 
What should the VU meter peak and average at on a newly recorded lead vocal track?

Thank you again!
Adam

jpetersen
Untreated dynamic vocals can sound weak compared to other instruments.
Once you use the Concrete Limiter or one of the compressors, it will rise in loudness.
 
By the way, I am curious to know if the 25Hz area thing has been solved.
If so, then this microphone will pick up this low-end area from anything playing at the back, so beware in cases where you are playing with drums or bass.

yup, it was me using the wrong side of the mic (duh!) lol