I am trying to use my Rode NT1 for conversations through either MSN messenger or Spyke Internet telephony...here's the list of equipment
MOTU 828 MK2
BEHRINGER ADA 8000
RODE NT1
WINDOWS XP HOME etc...

Now , both MSN messenger and Spyke recognize the MOTU and I am able to connect and use the Rode, but the signal is weak. My friend on the other side of the line is in London, he is using a 5 EUR computer multimedia mic and I can hear him crystal clear on my Tannoy reveals...he says though that he can barely hear me.. On my side everything works great, the drivers, the signal is hot, I can hear my self...but the signal sent to him is too weak
Does anyone know a scientific reason why a condenser mic simply cannot be used for these applications or am I doing something wrong?
Before I buy a cheap multimedia set to hook up with my EMU 1820 I would like to use the condenser mic for obvious reason..I don't have to talk just in front of the mic, I could lean back, play my guitar and talk...
I am a student of audio engineering, and it is a shame that I cannot explain what the problem, but I just don't know...
cheers everyone and thanks in advance!

Hmmm.... I have no idea if this helps, but I did a google search on your problem and came up with this link:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330117&sd=RMVP

This is an odd one. Have you had success using another mic? Does the mic work in other non cake applications like windows sound recorder? Have you tried conacting MSN support? Weird... if you are saying that MSN is recognizing your audio interface, there shouldn't be a problem; have you opened up the mixer for windows or the audio device and checked to see that the levels (mic input) are healthy enough? Phantom power is active? Just trying to help..

-Donny

thanks for your input mate
i have checked everything you suggested and everything is ok, the signal is hot, everything is just as it should be, only on the other side of the line it's weak
so I thoguht it's maybe something with the fact that condenser mic simply cannot be used for this...or ASIO? no idea...I will check the link, thanks
in the mean time I bought a cheap 3 EUR mic, plugged it into my onboard card and everything works like a charm..so I am listening to my friend through MOTU, and talking to him through onboard Soundmax...perfect
but I hate when I don't know why things don't work
you know what I mean
I also posted the question on Soundonsound.com forum, but no one even tried to help, not even the administrator, Martin Walker, who writes for the magazine and i know he was online today because he replied to so many posts and skipped mine, although I begged him
not that he is obliged to help, but i was kind of hoping he would
anyway, you are the only one who tried to help and I express my gratitude
cheers

One way to solve the problem is using the preamp of the MOTU to drive the condenser mic and creating a connection to the onboard soundcard through the effects send or line out jack of the MOTU.

ORIGINAL: Guitslinger

One way to solve the problem is using the preamp of the MOTU to drive the condenser mic and creating a connection to the onboard soundcard through the effects send or line out jack of the MOTU.

thanks, i didn't think of that
but do you know the theory behind this? any particular reason why this should not work?

so I thoguht it's maybe something with the fact that condenser mic simply cannot be used for this

It's possible that the MOTU is the culprit, Neon, and not the mic. As Guitslinger mentioned, you could come out of the MOTU ( you would have to use the MOTU's 48v to power the condenser mic anyway) and then route it into your onboard card's line in. The only explanation I can think of is that the MOTU needs to be configured in a particular way to work with MSN (update drivers perhaps?)... Beyond that, and not being familiar with the whole video messaging thing, I don't know.

Sorry I couldn't help further...

-Donny

ORIGINAL: neonknight

ORIGINAL: Guitslinger

One way to solve the problem is using the preamp of the MOTU to drive the condenser mic and creating a connection to the onboard soundcard through the effects send or line out jack of the MOTU.

thanks, i didn't think of that
but do you know the theory behind this? any particular reason why this should not work?

If the problem were hardware-related, it would be caused by too little voltage being generated by the mic, hence the weak signal, but given the fact you're using a preamp to boost the signal it's doubtful that has anything to do with it.

Check the Control Panel/Sound Devices configurations and see if, or which sound device is designated as the default device. If it's the onboard soundcard, try deselecting either card as the default device. If no device is selected as the default, try selecting the MOTU.

guys I have done everything you have suggested before posting the thread
I thought today why would I go from MOTU to the onboard card when for 3 euros I can go directly to the onboard card and live my Rode NT1 for serious applications i BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE MSN-ASIO incompatibility...or something like that
but thank you for your input
on a completely different subject, today I had an SSL workshop...I had the chance to actually do some mixing on it
all I can say...SCREW THE DIGITAL !!!'
cheers

on a completely different subject, today I had an SSL workshop...I had the chance to actually do some mixing on it
all I can say...SCREW THE DIGITAL !!!

LOL..

yep..sometimes I regret getting rid of my mega dollar analog desk(s) too...

Digital is easy in terms of editing, it is for the most part noiseless, and definitely has it's "pros"... on the downside, nothing I've done on digital has ever matched hat "warmth" I used to get from 1/2", 1" and 2" R to R and a nice console... that being said, it's been a long time since I had to align a deck (24 tracks, one at a time..LOL) or break out the editing block, razor blades and grease pencils either..


Oh well...

--D.