Distorted recordings.

[Finca]

Hi, I'm having problems recording sound clearly. I have used the exact same set up in the past with perfect results but currently everything I try to record is distorted and fuzzy. I've been trying to record my voice as a test recording with a Samson multi pattern condenser mic. I've tried my other vocal mic and mic cables, my mixer works fine through the headphones and routing through amps. I've tried two different USB interfaces and different audio cables but still get the same result. I'm working on Windows XP. Any ideas to solve this would be a big help. Cheers, Chris.

[steve]

So you have:
a Samson multi pattern condenser mic (model?)
mic cables
a mixer (what sort?)
headphones (what sort?)
amps (what sort?)
USB interfaces (what sort?)
audio cables

What's connected to what?

[kozikowski]

<<<my mixer works fine through the headphones and routing through amps.>>>

You're describing about four different rooms in your post. Pick the single microphone and follow the signal to your computer calling out equipment types as you go.

Pretend you're telling somebody how to wire up their system over the phone.

Koz

[Finca]

Ok the set up i'm using is a Samson CO3 multi pattern condenser mic, (n.b i have tried the different patterns to see if this is the problem) , this is connected to my mixer via an XLR microphone cable. The mixer is a Behringer Xenyx 1204 mixing unit. The mixer is then connected to my computer via a Behringer UCA 200 USB/ audio interface. Red & white stereo audio cables connect the mixer to the interface from the CD/Tape part of the mixer output. The interface then connects via it's USB cable to the computer. This is my sound recording set up.
What I was trying to describe concerning headphones and amps is that if you direct the mic signal to the headphones, in the mixer control room the sound is not distorted at all. Likewise if you set up so the mixer outputs to my amplifier, the sound again is perfectly normal.
Hope this is useful to you. I personally think these two are irrelevant but I am using a Badger piccolo 8watt amp to test the mic/mixer/cables etc , and an old pair of Tandy headphones (I think).

[steve]

No mention there of phantom power. I presume you have phantom power switched on (on the mixer)? Or is it battery powered?

[Finca]

Hi there, yes i have the phantom power switched on, my Samson mic needs it to function. Good news though, I've got it sorted. Think one of my audio stereo cables was not quite right. Thanks for the help, cheers, Chris.