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Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:25 pm
by cc_phoenix
When recording my voice through my new RODE Poscaster microphone into Audacity, I get super low levels and can't seem to adjust them. When my micophone is used on an Audacity program in another computer the levels are awesome (this microphone is connected through an USB port). Even when the sound levels are pushed up full on my Windows volume control, and the Audacity mike input control I am not getting any change on the volume.
I am not the most technical person around, so any fix I get must be explained in simple terms I can understand. I need a fix pretty quickly as I read textbooks and documents for the visually challenged, and I have 150 pages from an anesthesology textbook due in just over a week. I will need all that time just to record and edit it.
If you can help it would be much appreciated.
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:51 pm
by kozikowski
It seems to be a very nice microphone. You know it's end-fire, right? You speak into the round grill end not the side. It's a moving coil "dynamic" microphone, not a condenser.
Some provision must be provided to adjust the internal specifications of the microphone. It can provide sound signals in many different formats. Did it come with a software package? I'm not shocked that none of the Windows or Audacity volume controls work. Once the sound becomes digitized (inside the mic in this case), you lose a lot of the control and management.
What are the differences between the two computers? One XP and the other Vista?
You might download and install the 1.3.11 version of Audacity and try that. You can safely install both versions as long as you only use one at a time. Audacity 1.3 Projects will not open in 1.2.
Also remember while you're cranking out multiple hours of live performance, Audacity will not Save a sound file. Export As WAV and make safety copies of the work on a thumb or external drive.
Koz
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:00 pm
by steve
There is a firmware update for some of these microphones if they are running on Vista:
Vista firmware update (only for serial numbers below 7730) (316 KB)
http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=Podcaster
The RODE Poscaster microphone manual includes full instructions about how to install, set-up and set the recording level. The manual is available from the link above.
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:31 am
by polarbear
I have the same problem. A couple of days ago I was recording at my friends house, and it was way too quiet. I had the windows controls turned all the way up and I had the audacity microphone input volume all the way up too. You could hear it but it was very very quiet. Can anyone help me?
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:54 am
by steve
polarbear wrote:I have the same problem
With a "RODE Poscaster microphone" ?
Are you on Vista? Do you have a version of the RODE Poscaster microphone that requires the firmware update?
Are you using Audacity 1.3.11?
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:03 am
by polarbear
stevethefiddle wrote:polarbear wrote:I have the same problem
With a "RODE Poscaster microphone" ?
Are you on Vista? Do you have a version of the RODE Poscaster microphone that requires the firmware update?
Are you using Audacity 1.3.11?
No I'm using a different microphone.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0314914
It works good at home but at my friends house it's too quiet. I have xp and I think he has windows 7. We both use 1.2.6. Thanks.
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:22 am
by steve
OK, I see - you have the same problem but it's completely different
The microphone you are using is a conventional (non-usb) microphone, so the recording level is set by your sound card.
If you go into the Windows Control Panel (START > Control Panel) and look in the audio section there will probably be an option to "boost" the microphone input. This is usually just a tick box and it may be called "boost" or "+20dB" or something like that. You need to select that option. (sorry, I can't tell you exactly where it is as I don't use Win 7)
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:08 pm
by polarbear
ok thanks i'll try that next time!
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:22 pm
by kozikowski
Many of the newer sound cards do not have the +20dB microphone boost. It costs extra and there's no way to make it into a "Feature," so manufacturers have been leaving it out. That kills a lot of analog microphones as they need the extra sound boost to work right.
Koz
Re: Very Low levels from recording voice from mike
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:56 pm
by whomper
cc_phoenix wrote:When recording my voice through my new RODE Poscaster microphone into Audacity, I get super low levels and can't seem to adjust them. When my micophone is used on an Audacity program in another computer the levels are awesome (this microphone is connected through an USB port). Even when the sound levels are pushed up full on my Windows volume control, and the Audacity mike input control I am not getting any change on the volume.
I am not the most technical person around, so any fix I get must be explained in simple terms I can understand. I need a fix pretty quickly as I read textbooks and documents for the visually challenged, and I have 150 pages from an anesthesology textbook due in just over a week. I will need all that time just to record and edit it.
If you can help it would be much appreciated.
i ahd to change the volume to max and sometimes unmute in 7 different places on my pc to get my mike to work with audacity
hunt down and fix
all the places that diddle the audio