Tascam US 1800 clipping.

It's always been an issues but I got around it by using a mixer. But there is no way I can hook up a mic direct to the 1800 without it clipping. Even with dynamic mics... volume turned down all the way. is there a trick or something I'm missing. I would like to be able to record without a mixer. 

azslow3
Sorry, I probably do not understand something...
You connect a mic to let say input 1, turn the gain knob 1 all the way left and you see "OL" lighting when you start singing/playing?

Yup! :) I know there is a -10db on the back as well but nothing has ever worked. Just too hot! I see and downloaded the latest firmware (2016) last night but the unit function just fine other then the direct line in problem.
"not broken don't fix it" and I found nothing relevant about the update VS. clipping...   

Are you sure the input is not a Hi-Z input and/or that you don't have phantom power turned on for a mic that doesn't need it?
 
I am not familiar with that specific interface but those are things that come to mind to check.

The us1800 is exactly the same as my us1641.
 
Is this new behavior or has this always behaved this way?
 
 
You obviously tried one of the other front XLR inputs, right. I can see one becoming faulty but not all 8 of them.  
 
For me a Sure SM 58 or 57 will be set without clipping when the channel gain is set between 12 to 1 o clock. 
I have plugged just about everything into every channel of my unit and it has never been an issue. 
Its one of it's strong points is the very flexible input and gain which for me exepts just about any signal from mikes, DI boxes and mixer outputs. 
At full anti clockwise there would be almost no signal at all. 
 
To test is this is not something wrong with the peak light system
Arm a track in Sonar and observe the level for the track, is it overdriven? 
 

There's something not right, either with what you are reporting or with the device.

11Dreams
Even if I'm using ARC calibration and I plug in the condenser mic I have to keep volume knob to 0 when calibrating.
Also before I realized it was a condenser mic. ha! I was able to calibrate with volume set to 0 with no phantom power on.

That is the second really strange observation (condenser mics do not produce any signal without power, by electrical circuit design... there is always some power between somehow electrically connected wires, but it can not be sufficient, even if the result is amplified by "normal" audio interface). Also confirmed from IK site:

Yes, as a condenser microphone, +48V Phantom Power is required for the ARC measurement mic.

 
So I repeat my question: are you sure that gain knobs are on zero? You call them "volume" but there are not, these are electrically control the amplification levels, before AD converters and direct monitoring mixing (for which the term "volume" make sense). Do they set all the way left (I mean not "centered")?
 
When you connect your mixer (the way the audio is not clipping), which inputs do you use?
 
When you use "direct monitoring" (using "MONITOR L/R" or "Phones" outputs, "Mix" knob all the way left and to be sure without any signal from the DAW), do you also get extremely loud signal from just one mic?
 
Is turning Gain knob changing resulting level? Separately check in "Direct monitoring" and in the recording.
 
You you using ASIO driver when recording?
 
----
Up to now, the only theoretically possible explanation (except for ARC) which comes into my mind is an internal shortcut (or a break) in the ground circuit of the unit, pulling the voltage on all gain knobs into "max". Answers on the questions can clarify that.

Cactus Music
Hard to believe that all 8 channels would be defective. 
Where are you setting the channel input level knob? 
And is this with different mikes or just one type? 
 

It's not 8 its all 14 channels.

gswitz
There's something not right, either with what you are reporting or with the device.

 
This! 
 
And how are you plugging a dynamic mike into a TRS jack on the back?  
The rear panel jacks are used for connecting a pre amp or mixer and not meant to be used with any type of mike directly. 
This brings up a question of us needing to know exactly what you are using, you imply you have tried a bunch of different mikes, is this so? 
What type of cable(s) are you using? 
Either the unit is 100% malfunctioning or this is pilot error. 
 
As I said, there is no way to overload any of the 8 XLR inputs on the front panel when using any common household mike unless you turn the gain past 10'o clock.  
 
What do you get when you plug an electric guitar or bass into Channel 9? 
 
 
 

11Dreams

Cactus Music
Hard to believe that all 8 channels would be defective. 
Where are you setting the channel input level knob? 
And is this with different mikes or just one type?

It's not 8 its all 14 channels.

Mic is saturating line input (SM58 produce -54dBu, minimal level on rear line-in is -43dBu) while mixer line output does not...  a condenser mic working without phantom power...
We are moving toward Science fiction... please do direct monitoring test I have described in my previous post.