As I've posted in the other forum, my new M-audio M-Track 2x2 has very low gain. I have to run it virtually all the way to get the LED's to bump past -20db and confirmed in Sonar.
 
Do other brands have a better gain structure?  I have tried many sources, Condenser Mic, Ipod full output, Guitar, Modeling stomp box.
 
thx
 
bob

I can't speak for all other brands, but yes, they do - that is not typical.  I would think, however, that the m-track would do better than that as well.  have you checked/changed out your cables?  what cables are you using?  TRS? Mic?  if using a Mic, is it dynamic or condenser?  if condenser do you have phantom power on?
 
 

Some AI gain knobs pull out (or push in) to boost the gain an additional amount.  Not sure the M-audio has this or not, but my Avid Mbox does.

Beagle
I can't speak for all other brands, but yes, they do - that is not typical.  I would think, however, that the m-track would do better than that as well.  have you checked/changed out your cables?  what cables are you using?  TRS? Mic?  if using a Mic, is it dynamic or condenser?  if condenser do you have phantom power on?
 
 

The Mic is a CAD GXL2200 Condenser and yes +48 is on. Cables are all good quality instrument cables.
 
I just tried plugging into my old setup, a small mixer that went into my 2496 card. The input coming from that is very weak too; I had to really crank the output to get a decent input level on the M-Track.  This issue has nothing to do with drivers or the PC at all, right? It's just a signal going inot an input?
 
thx
 
bob

dwardzala
Some AI gain knobs pull out (or push in) to boost the gain an additional amount.  Not sure the M-audio has this or not, but my Avid Mbox does.

I wish, but no!  If you plug a guitar directly into an AI, should you get a decent level without a preamp?


 
bob

RME's mic/instrument inputs can make a guitar clip the AD convertor without any external preamp.

Ditto a microphone.

The preamps have a huge amount of gain available, which is adjusted using the Totalmix software. For guitar/bass I generally find that around 26-30dB of gain is enough to give a good signal while staying a few dB clear of clipping.

My old UA-101 could go into clipping with a guitar level input as well if the gain was turned up enough.

So it can be done.

Well looking at it I can see a few issues right away. 

Power: USB-bus-power    

Tailor-made gain and impedance stage for a pristine, accurate DI signalSo it looks like it has limited input impediance matching. No pad, no line/ inst swicth. 
And Buss power is well known to not supply enough juice. Think about it,, 5V low amps boosted up to 48?? It could never work. Does it have the option for a wall power supply? Doesn't look like it. I'd return it. 
For the same price you could have got better features with Tascam or Focusrite. Always look for the option of full A/C power. Buss power is fine for headphones on the beach. 
 
And if that's not it then like Beagle say's check your cables. 

steelgtr
 If you plug a guitar directly into an AI, should you get a decent level without a preamp?

It looks like input #2 is a dedicated instrument input and should work without a preamp. Input #1 is a combo XLR/TRS mic/line input not designed for recording guitar directly.

steelgtr
As I've posted in the other forum, my new M-audio M-Track 2x2 has very low gain. I have to run it virtually all the way to get the LED's to bump past -20db and confirmed in Sonar.

Hi Bob,
 
That sounds like an input level mis-match.
ie:  The audio interface is expecting a +4dB signal... and is being fed a -10dB signal.

Thanks, everyone.
 
So based on what I have, should I try the Tascam or the Steinberg?  The Focusrite is out because I really need a variable direct/pc knob, not just a switch.
 
bob