Preamps

[charlie monroe]

I had this problem with mics into my Fast Track Ultra/Mac setup.
I accessed the device with Finder outside of the DAW and found that there were hardware settings I could adjust. Level issues solved.

 

[Troph]

However a PG48 microphone is made for vocals. How come it is also tailored for louder sounds?

According to the Link Removed for the PG48, the sensitivity rating says it produces about 2.5mV for a 94 dB SPL noise (which would be really loud for a vocalist).

If you do the math, to get to a reference voltage of closer to 0.775V (0 dBu) from that signal, you need a voltage gain of +49.8 dB. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface rates its gain at +55 dB maximum. So even with a really loud source, you're close to its preamp limit.

Acoustic guitar is typically in the 80s dB SPL, so even quieter than the 95dB reference SPL listed in the microphone sensitivity specs, so you'd need even more gain for that application.

 

[Troph]

I had this problem with mics into my Fast Track Ultra/Mac setup.
I accessed the device with Finder outside of the DAW and found that there were hardware settings I could adjust. Level issues solved.

I suppose a configuration error is possible. However, keep in mind that the Fast Track Ultra had a rated max preamp gain of +60 dB. While an extra +5 dB of gain doesn't sound like a lot compared to the Scarlett, remember that every +3dB equates to a doubling of signal voltage...

 

[Chromer]

It's common for all the gain to be bunched up at the end of the adjustment on inexpensive preamps. My cheapie Tascam interface does the same thing.

Recording digitally, it's better to have slightly less than optimum gain at the preamp than to overload the interface input. An average level of -18dB on your DAW channel meters, with peaks around -12 to -6 is about ideal. -18dB corresponds roughly to 0dB in the old tape world...

If you need more level for monitoring while tracking, put a limiter on the channel and drop the threshold until you get the gain you need to hear yourself.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Bobby Owsinski summarizes his "top 10" mic preamps here, all with product links although some are no longer manufactured:

http://bobbyowsinski.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-top-10-mic-preamps.html