Audacity Forum

I've read the other posts on this topic and done what was suggested. However, I'm still not getting good results.

I'm using the MXL008 USB mic on PowerPC G5, 10.4.11.

I've cranked up Input Volume and Output volume in System Preferences. On Audio MIDI Set-Up, AUdio Input is Line In, Audio Output is LIne Out, 44100 Hz. Audacity settings are Mono, 32 bit float, 44100Hz.

My problem is, my recordings in Audacity have very, very low audio levels. Yes, I can boost them somewhat with Amplify, but I'd rather not have to do that with every audio clip I make. Plus, I think it screws up the fidelity a bit to boost my audio as much as Amplify has to do.

When monitoring the input with the Apple Preferences Sound Panel, the VU meter goes maybe a quarter to half way across, even if I'm talking pretty loudly.

I can't find any other setting to boost. I shouldn't need a preamp, since the MXL008 is a USB mic designed to be used without one. Help!! Anybody got any suggestions on how I can boost my audio input levels? Thanks very much!
--Tex

I dug up my USB microphone (the Elves that keep the dryer socks were using it) and plugged it in to see how it behaved.

Audacity will never give you more zot than you can get in the Preferences Panel. So close Audacity and open up...

Apple > System Preferences > Hardware > Sound > Input

Your microphone should be listed in the input selection dialog. Mine actually lists the USB chipset manufacturer, but I figured it out. The bouncing lights meter turns out to have about a 40dB dynamic range. If you smack the highest light, you will be about 1 or 2 dB away from overload and clipping damage--almost always fatal. About half-way down is -20dB which normal humans will hear as about half volume from the maximum (This is the natural "reference level" for Broadcast Television if anybody asks). All the way at the bottom of the meter is -40 which is seriously quiet.

My cheap Logitech USB microphone will go all the way up if I advance the volume control and speak loudly. Not so the neighbors will get upset, but seriously louder than normal conversation. If I then launch Audacity and click once in the red record meters, they track perfectly with the System Preference Panel. More importantly, the Audacity volume controls only affect the volume down, never up.

So close Audacity and go back to the Preference Panel.

Are you aware that your microphone has a volume control? It's not much, but there should be a three position switch somewhere that can select 0dB, -5dB and -10dB. Make sure the switch is at 0. Maybe flip it back and forth a couple of time to guard against an intermittent switch.

That's it. Once the microphone amplifies the capsule and makes digital ones and zeros inside the electronics package, nothing more can be done except what you're already doing with the Amplify filter.

Does the manufacturer have a web site or customer service? Google [your microphone] complaints.

Koz

Damn dirty elves!

Thanks for the info, Koz. I think I got it all worked out. Some tweaking the settings, some moving my pie hole closer to the mic. I believe I'm all set!

Cheers,
Tex