Set up to record through computer

Aqualung · 02-02-2008, 09:06 PM

Ok, I'm trying to help my friend record something onto his computer. This is the set up we have now - A condenser mic (micing his acoustic guitar) running to a preamp. Preamp running to mixer. Mixer running to computer sound card through the mic in jack. Currently, the preamp is picking up sound, and the mixer is picking up sound, but I can't record it through the mic jack. I'm about to go get a computer mic (he didn't have one), and test the hardware, but I also wanted to ask you guys if there is a problem in my set up, or if you have encountered a similar problem and might know how to fix it.

Aqualung · 02-03-2008, 12:54 AM

Well, we bought a computer mic, and when I plugged it in, the computer suddenly recognised the mic in jack and so it started working. Weird, but good.

MusicMan · 02-03-2008, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Well, we bought a computer mic, and when I plugged it in, the computer suddenly recognised the mic in jack and so it started working. Weird, but good.

Sounds like the microphone finally triggered the PnP (plug and play) software to recognize the input. I was going to recommend going to the control panel and the Sound category and making sure that the correct devices were selected, and that the mic or line-in volumes were properly turned on and at a moderate record volume. But it sounds like the mic got the PC to kinda do that itself, at least to a degree. So adjust settings manually if you have any problems.

Aqualung · 02-03-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicMan

I was going to recommend going to the control panel and the Sound category and making sure that the correct devices were selected, and that the mic or line-in volumes were properly turned on and at a moderate record volume.

Yeah, that was te first thing I did, because when I did that song with my dad we spent like an hour trying to get it to record, before realising that the mic settings were muted.

MusicMan · 02-03-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Yeah, that was te first thing I did, because when I did that song with my dad we spent like an hour trying to get it to record, before realising that the mic settings were muted.

Too funny. I only laugh because I've done that myself.

Habey Gonzo · 02-05-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicMan

Too funny. I only laugh because I've done that myself.

So what's the current setup now? PC-mic->preamp->mixer->PC-soundcard mic input? And what about the sound quality and stuff?

Aqualung · 02-05-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habey Gonzo

So what's the current setup now? PC-mic->preamp->mixer->PC-soundcard mic input? And what about the sound quality and stuff?

Are you talking to me? It's still condensor mic > preamp > mixer > PC soundcard mic input. The sound quality is really good.

Mongo97 · 02-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Cool that it's working.

Side note would be you'd probably want to use the Line In instead of the Mic In, as you shouldn't need the power off of the mic since you're running preamp and mixer in the chain already.

Aqualung · 02-06-2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongo97

Cool that it's working.

Side note would be you'd probably want to use the Line In instead of the Mic In, as you shouldn't need the power off of the mic since you're running preamp and mixer in the chain already.

Yeah, it doesn't actually have a line in, though. Just the mic in and a phones out.

Habey Gonzo · 02-06-2008, 09:38 AM

Sometimes soundcards have just one "input", that you can configure to be either line-in or mic-in. Then the card will provide more or less power to the plugged device, depending on the settings. Maybe you could check that?

Aqualung · 02-06-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habey Gonzo

Sometimes soundcards have just one "input", that you can configure to be either line-in or mic-in. Then the card will provide more or less power to the plugged device, depending on the settings. Maybe you could check that?

Oh, ok. I will try that. Thanks.

02-02-2008, 09:06 PM	#1
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,548 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 271	Ok, I'm trying to help my friend record something onto his computer. This is the set up we have now - A condenser mic (micing his acoustic guitar) running to a preamp. Preamp running to mixer. Mixer running to computer sound card through the mic in jack. Currently, the preamp is picking up sound, and the mixer is picking up sound, but I can't record it through the mic jack. I'm about to go get a computer mic (he didn't have one), and test the hardware, but I also wanted to ask you guys if there is a problem in my set up, or if you have encountered a similar problem and might know how to fix it. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

02-03-2008, 12:54 AM	#2
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,548 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 271	Well, we bought a computer mic, and when I plugged it in, the computer suddenly recognised the mic in jack and so it started working. Weird, but good. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

02-06-2008, 09:38 AM	#10
Habey Gonzo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brussels (Belgium) Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 57 Thanked 93 Times in 83 Posts Rep Power: 87	Sometimes soundcards have just one "input", that you can configure to be either line-in or mic-in. Then the card will provide more or less power to the plugged device, depending on the settings. Maybe you could check that? __________________ -=The C in rap is silent=- IceWind -=- Habey Gonzo's nest

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02-05-2008, 08:10 PM	#8
Mongo97 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Deepest Darkest Suburbia Posts: 392 Thanks: 4 Thanked 103 Times in 74 Posts Rep Power: 102	Cool that it's working. Side note would be you'd probably want to use the Line In instead of the Mic In, as you shouldn't need the power off of the mic since you're running preamp and mixer in the chain already.

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