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?

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).

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.

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

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.

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