just up graded to a better sound card (realtek to echomia), and previously ive never tried to record any vocal tracks. in testing it out, ive noted with dismay that the input volume of the vocal track is extremely low compaired to the rest of the music (stuff id already composed on hs6xl). im running a condenser mic through a tascam 4track (as a preamp/mixer, to boost the signal), and ive put up the input volume on the echomia software. interestingly enough, when i went to up the input in the windows console, i couldnt bring it up (i wonder if thats due to the mia). suffice to say, im at a bit of a loss. any suggestions (short of a new preamp, mixer, or mic) that could remedy the low volume on input?

hi john

im running a condenser mic through a tascam 4track (as a preamp/mixer, to boost the signal)

do you mean a 4 track tape recorder??!! like the porta 02? as you know, mikes need increased signal gain over line level sources like keyboards, however condensor mikes also need a bit of power, known as phantom power. this can be provided by external soundcards, mic preamps or mixers. the latter 2 are your choices. i have just bought a soundcraft compact4 mixer, was £60 from dolphin, very nice, the behringer xenyx mixers are even cheaper. i would recommend a mixer simply because for computer based recording it provides more flexibility in monitoring etc. it also means you can leave all ur cables attached and just use the channle you want for recording.

thanks mgh...i'll never say a bad word about manchester united again

a pre amp/mixer is definately on my list of 'gotta get em' items, just dont have the cash at the moment. my little 4 track always had really good sound (and power) when i used it, and i was hoping that would transfer over to digital recording. i did notice that when im recording the test track im getting a level on the track on the right side, but theres nothing on the left (and no, i dont have anything panned). perhaps, if i can fix that, it might make things easier till i get the nerve to tell the wife i have to spend 'just a lil' bit more money' on my recording gear

so, im off to mess with it some more, but does any one have any thought on why my recording level is dead on the left?

ok...fiddled around with it a bit more, and got my levels up to where they need to be. apparently i was trying to send a mono signal into stereo (trying to fit a round peg in a square hole, i guess). thats fixed, and now my signal is much, much better. hehehe...now its time to play!

thanks again mgh!

For some reason, my input levels got outta wack.  They are way too low.  I don't remember how to raise the volume on my inputs.