joel77
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 13:36:57
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SilverBlueMedallion
BINGO! I was singing into the wrong side of the mic! (how embarassing).
-Adam
I have to say Adam, that took some kahunas to admit! lol I'd like to add something, but it seems the guys here are doing an excellent job of working the problem with you. I do believe these Cakewalk forums have the best members on the net!
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 13:38:12
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jpetersen
So it's either the phantom power from the interface
or, and most likely, the mic itself is faulty.
yea im afraid of that, i bought the mic brand new but it's been sitting around for a month, not sure Guitar Center will take it back. First I will do the testing though. Also, does it matter if I plug in the mic and THEN turn on phantom power? Could that damage the mic? I've been doing that and it always generates a loud pop.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 13:40:03
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joel77
SilverBlueMedallion
BINGO! I was singing into the wrong side of the mic! (how embarassing).
-Adam
I have to say Adam, that took some kahunas to admit! lol
I'd like to add something, but it seems the guys here are doing an excellent job of working the problem with you. I do believe these Cakewalk forums have the best members on the net!
lol, i dont mind being an idiot publicly lol. what did you want to add?
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 14:19:19
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SilverBlueMedallion
jpetersen
So it's either the phantom power from the interface
or, and most likely, the mic itself is faulty.
yea im afraid of that, i bought the mic brand new but it's been sitting around for a month, not sure Guitar Center will take it back. First I will do the testing though.
Also, does it matter if I plug in the mic and THEN turn on phantom power? Could that damage the mic? I've been doing that and it always generates a loud pop.
No, you're doing it correctly - ALWAYS plug the mic in before switching on Phantom Power Likewise, ALWAYS switch PP off before disconnecting the mic. But....... you shouldn't be getting a loud pop, I never get that with any of my condenser mics. Does it make any difference if you reduce the mic gain to zero before connecting/switching on? Does the pop disappear?
CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughoutCustom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 15:09:46
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oh really? ALWAYS plug the mic in before switching the phantom power on? I can't be sure i ALWAYS did that... is it possible to ruin the mic otherwise?
I will have to answer the rest when I get home. Thank you!
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 16:00:51
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Possible enough to make a habit out of doing it the right way, but not super likely. The mic sounded completely fine otherwise too so it really seems like some kind of electrical or wiring problem to me. Have you tried a different cable or different input on your interface yet?
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 16:07:41
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Sanderxpander
Possible enough to make a habit out of doing it the right way, but not super likely. The mic sounded completely fine otherwise too so it really seems like some kind of electrical or wiring problem to me. Have you tried a different cable or different input on your interface yet?
yes i tried 2 different cables and both inputs. funny, there are no warnings in the mic or the audio interface about which order to plug things into. I would think that if it was so important, there would be a big warning in the manuals.
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 16:42:19
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Well I'm officially out of ideas. It's a serious issue though. I guess I'd try to eliminate each item as the cause in turn. Preamp/input and cable were easy but you really should try another mic and/or interface or even a different room or computer. Now that you know what to look for it should be easy enough to spot. Maybe even take interface and mic back to the shop with a laptop? You only need a very basic recording to see the issue.
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jpetersen
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/02 19:53:47
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SilverBlueMedallion
Also, does it matter if I plug in the mic and THEN turn on phantom power? Could that damage the mic? I've been doing that and it always generates a loud pop.
That's the way you are supposed to do it. Ideally the 48V supply slowly ramps up, but evidently not all manufacturers take the time. Besides, when you are doing a live show mics get plugged and unplugged - nobody bothers. Modern microphones are robust enough to handle it, but if the level is turned up high then a loud plop could damage a speaker cone on a high-power system. A recently designed mic like yours will not get damaged. It works from as low as 12V and is rated up to 52V, just to show how tolerant these things are nowadays.
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/03 06:22:39
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This is what SPAN is showing: 
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/03 18:38:01
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jpetersen
What happens if you disconnect the mic and cable from the interface, start Sonar recording and turn up the input volume slowly from zero to all the way open?
OK so i tried this (no mic plugged in, turned gain down to zero, armed track)... at the 3rd measure I start to increase the gain from 0 to 100, there is a slight 7db noise bump at about the 4th measure, not sure why, but I am not hearing any sub bass (then again, I didn't before either). However, as I turned the gain knob up past say around the 75%, SPAN is showing some activity on the phase correlation meter, which you can see here:  so I am not sure what this test proves really, what should I be looking for? Thank you, Adam
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/03 18:52:06
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WOAH!!! ***BREAKING NEWS UPDATE***
so I just went ahead and went to start the next test, which was to now plug in the mic, not sing, just to see what gets recorded, so here is what I did:
1. Plugged mic XLR input into the Scarlett 2i2 interface
2. Pushed the Phantom Power button in... and POOF!!....
I hear all this static in my cans, and the audio interface is now FRIED! doesnt work AT ALL!!!!
So I wonder if all this was a dying Scarlett 2i2? It's about 5 years old now, so maybe.
Only thing I am worrying now is - is it possible that the bad audio interface might have sent some sort of damaging signal to my microphone?
Will my microphone still be healthy and sounding as it should if it's been plugged into a bad audio interface? This could just be my paranoia here. lol
I will run out tomorrow to get a new audio interface and update here with new vocal take screenshots, any suggestions of what to buy?
Thank you everyone!!
Adam
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Boydie
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 02:52:22
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I generally hear good things about the Scarlett series so I would be tempted to try another - especially as you are already used to the drivers/mixer etc.
To check out my music please visit: http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic Specs: Vortex Laptop i7-3740QM (2.70GHz) 6MB, 32GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3, 240GB INTEL® 520 SERIES SSD, 750GB SEAGATE MOMENTUS XT HYBRID, BluRay, USB 2 & 3, Firewire, Audio Interface: M-Audio Fast Track Ultra + Focusrite VRM Box
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 05:36:02
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I wouldn't be surprised if your dying Scarlett was the cause. It's certainly a hard to explain problem by any other normal means. I would expect your mic to be fine. But it'll be pretty easy to hear if it's damaged. It won't sound "slightly worse" if it's damaged, it'll just sound like crap if it even works at all. EDIT: I also hear good things about the Scarletts, though I haven't used them myself. However, if you have to buy something again it's always good to reevaluate your needs. Consider - budget - required number of mic preamps - required number of (analog) ins and out - digital expansion options (adat i/o?) - Mac and Windows compatible - company reputation/driver support - on-board features like FX or a mixing utility - hardware controls such as faders/display If you have a good idea about all these points and how import they are to you it'll be easy to pick an interface.
post edited by Sanderxpander - 2016/01/04 05:53:59
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konradh
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 09:19:04
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I have had several different preamps/interfaces and have been happy with most. A big consideration for me is gain. 60-70 db of gain is great. With only 40-50 db of gain, you might be frustrated.
Konrad Current album and more: http://www.themightykonrad.com/ Sonar X1d Producer. V-Studio 700. PC: Intel i7 CPU 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM. Win 7 64-bit. RealGuitar, RealStrat, RealLPC, Ivory II, Vienna Symphonic, Hollywood Strings, Electr6ity, Acoustic Legends, FabFour, Scarbee Rick/J-Bass/P-Bass, Kontakt 5. NI Session Guitar. Boldersounds, Noisefirm. EZ Drummer 2. EZ Mix. Melodyne Assist. Guitar Rig 4. Tyros 2, JV-1080, Kurzweil PC2R, TC Helicon VoiceWorks+. Rode NT2a, EV RE20. Presonus Eureka. Rokit 6s.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 11:58:33
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Thanks everyone,
I ended up ordering a TASCAM UH-7000, seems like a better interface then the Scarlet.
It will be here Jan 7th, so I will update then!
Thanks Everyone!!
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 12:05:40
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Good luck!
Don't forget to report back when you've got it installed.
CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughoutCustom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 12:11:45
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I see some high latency reports with that device, which may or may not be an issue for you. It's a preamp first and an audio interface second. Also, apparently it performs well using WDM drivers so it may be worth comparing WDM performance to ASIO performance on your systems.
post edited by Sanderxpander - 2016/01/04 12:25:15
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 16:24:19
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Sanderxpander
I see some high latency reports with that device, which may or may not be an issue for you. It's a preamp first and an audio interface second. Also, apparently it performs well using WDM drivers so it may be worth comparing WDM performance to ASIO performance on your systems.
oh damn, i didn't know. maybe i should cancel the order and just go get another Scarlett... which also means - I CAN GET ONE TODAY 
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 16:32:18
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It supposedly sounds really good though and it has direct monitoring. Here's an example of what I read: https://www.gearslutz.com...hat-about-latency.htmlIt's only really an issue for playing anything live with fx from Sonar. Including guitar with ampsim and midi to softsynth. And even so that kind of latency may be ok for you (though honestly for me it would not be). I personally just got an RME UCX which I'm very happy with. Different price bracket though. But ridiculously low latency.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/04 16:38:15
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yea i reas this, but I don't know much about it. I will be recording acoustic guitar and also playing VST Softsynths, so maybe this isn't the audio interface for me?
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/05 03:29:07
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Acoustic guitar wouldn't be a problem as you can use direct monitoring from the interface (bypassing Sonar) and get near-zero latency. But playing softsynths with that kind of latency would bother me. It's not huge exactly but everything would feel sloppy and sluggish. I'm a keyboard player by profession though so it may be more of an issue for me than it would be for you.
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Jean
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/05 09:59:27
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Might want to consider an interface that has midi in/out too.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/05 21:45:43
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OK so you won't believe this....
new cable and new audio interface (Steinberg UR22) - SAME PROBLEM!!! I guess it was the mic all along.
I am returning EVERYTHING... honestly, everything i get from guitar center seems to be an open box and NOT new. I think they are selling faulty equipment. So, I am going to start over. I am returning everything to this store and going to buy everything NEW on Amazon, where I expect SEALED boxes.
Thanks for sticking in with me everyone, I will update next week most likely once I get all new equipment :)
Stay away from Guitar Center!!
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/06 01:43:53
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If you have everything installed on a laptop I would bring it and demonstrate the issue. I guess you've tried a different power outlet and a different USB port by now? Sorry to hear that it's taking so much effort to get up and running. Kudos to you for keeping your energy up, keep us posted!
post edited by Sanderxpander - 2016/01/06 01:57:28
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kevinwal
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/07 13:36:24
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I've had pretty good experiences with GC and the convenience is hard to beat. Unfortunately it seems that there are some pretty drastic differences between stores with that company.
Kevin Walsh My latest tunes are at Reverbnation, please give a listen! EVGA X58 Classified III, 24GB Kingston RAM, i7/970 6 core256GB SSD, 2TB HDWindows 10 Build 10586, Sonar Platinum, 2016.03MOTU 8Pre Interface
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konradh
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/07 15:30:06
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May be an issue with GC--don't know--but it seems unlikely that both units were defective and presenting the same issue.
Crazy, maybe, but do you have a laptop (or friend's laptop) you can plug the interface into to make a simple recording? That would narrow it down to interface and mic. And if you can borrow a second mic, maybe you can figure out where the problem originates.
On the temp machine, you wouldn't need a full DAW: just any free or cheap program that records audio.
Konrad Current album and more: http://www.themightykonrad.com/ Sonar X1d Producer. V-Studio 700. PC: Intel i7 CPU 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM. Win 7 64-bit. RealGuitar, RealStrat, RealLPC, Ivory II, Vienna Symphonic, Hollywood Strings, Electr6ity, Acoustic Legends, FabFour, Scarbee Rick/J-Bass/P-Bass, Kontakt 5. NI Session Guitar. Boldersounds, Noisefirm. EZ Drummer 2. EZ Mix. Melodyne Assist. Guitar Rig 4. Tyros 2, JV-1080, Kurzweil PC2R, TC Helicon VoiceWorks+. Rode NT2a, EV RE20. Presonus Eureka. Rokit 6s.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/09 18:23:03
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OK everybody, I am pretty sure the problem is resolved! New interface (Steinberg UR22), new mic (AKG C214), and new cable (mogami gold xlr) and things are sounding and looking pretty damn good. Here is the new vocal clip:  and here is a sample of what it sounds like: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6r3cdww3r321dj5/Record%203%20%2822%29.wav?dl=0 I am going to purchase the presonus tube preamp v2 and replace the tube for even a better sound, but this seems correct, right? Thanks to EVERYONE for trying to help me out here! Adam
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jpetersen
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/09 19:03:57
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Looking at that waveform, the C214 is putting out plenty output.
Save the preamp, you don't need it.
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AdamGrossmanLG
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Re: Setting Up A Vocal Track
2016/01/09 19:07:26
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jpetersen
Looking at that waveform, the C214 is putting out plenty output.
Save the preamp, you don't need it.
but the tonal quality - I've A/B'ed the difference at a friend's place using the same mic. the Tube pre really adds a warmth and richness to the vocal. It is very apparent too. Once I get the tube pre I can do an A/B here.
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