low volume and hum using mic

[DVDdoug]

The adapter they sold me was Hosa Technology, TrackLink Microphone to USB Interface, XLR3F to USB Type A

That should be OK... You shouldn't be getting such horrible results. I assume you turned-up the gain on the Hosa?

To Koz: Is using the small mic plug as desirable as the USB? Is it really advisable to use an adapter at all, rather than an actual USB mic?

You shouldn't "need" a USB mic... Most "studio style" USB mics (AKA "podcast mics") are condenser mics which tend to be hotter (louder) and they tend to have more high-frequency sensitivity for a more "crisp" sound. And of course, they are super-convenient.

The downsides are, you can generally use only one USB mic at a time (no stereo or multitracking) and you can't use them with a mixer or PA system.

The SM57/58 is the most popular mic of all time., It's a fine mic and it will last you a lifetime. It's not generally used in pro studios (except the SM57 is used to record electric guitar and snare drums) but it's used on stage everywhere and there's nothing "wrong" with using it.

Also, they sold me Yamaha RH3C Professional Stereo Headphones. It has a large jack, no such outlet on my computer. Will an adapter cord work for this? If so, is USB or other outlet best?

I think your headphones already have an adapter and you just have to unscrew it. If not, an adapter like this should work. (Although, I prefer the cable-type or an in-line extension cable so you don't have a bulky assembly putting stress on the small headphone jack.)

Speaking of headphones... If you monitor yourself through the computer you can get latency (delay). Often this is can be minimized and managed, but it can become a "battle". You'll notice in Koz's photo of the Shure X2u, he has ear buds plugged-in. An interface like that with "zero-latency hardware monitoring" will avoid those issues. Some USB podcast mics (such as the Blue Yeti) have a similar feature.

[kozikowski]

Do you get the flashing blue activity light when you speak with the volume control turned up? A Shure SM58 should certainly be able to trip a recording indicator. Has your SM58 worked anywhere else?

Windows has the ability to change the volume of USB connections. Is the connection turned up in Windows? (I have no idea how to do that).

Koz

[kozikowski]

Has your SM58 worked anywhere else?

The SM58 is a bulletproof, good quality "rock band" microphone. But it's not impossible to kill one. See: black tape on mine. If you do manage to kill the case (I do not want to know how they did that) the shield will go open and sound like this:

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/clips/OpenShieldHum.mp3

It's possible to kill the actual signal connections as well, in which case it may sound like yours. Weak and noisy.

If we don't hit it with a few simple tests, take the microphone to the music store and get them to plug it into any music system and try it.

Koz

[kozikowski]

he has ear buds plugged-in.

Those are photographically convenient, not sonically desirable.
Koz

[kozikowski]

You don't need to know what Phantom Power is, just that your microphone does not need it and you should have it turned off.
Koz

[kozikowski]

You shouldn't be getting such horrible results.

Exactly correct. Something you're doing is giving unexpected results.
Koz

[Xerlome]

Xerlome: "The adapter they sold me was Hosa Technology, TrackLink Microphone to USB Interface, XLR3F to USB Type A"

DVDdoug: "That should be OK... You shouldn't be getting such horrible results. I assume you turned-up the gain on the Hosa?"

The Hosa is just an a USB adapter cord. Or do you mean in the computer? I did raise the gain in the audio manager, as well as the input level in Audacity. I got the hum, but very little volume speaking, too low even when yelling. Is the problem maybe my settings? I use Realtek.

[kozikowski]

I think we're hitting it. Do you have one of these?

http://hosatech.com/press-release/hosa- ... interface/

With a little fat pod with lights and controls on it (attached)?

That control pod has a blue light that signifies the computer connection is good and it will flash when you apply sound.

Does yours work like that?

Koz

[Xerlome]

I think we're hitting it. Do you have one of these?

http://hosatech.com/press-release/hosa- ... interface/

With a little fat pod with lights and controls on it (attached)?

That control pod has a blue light that signifies the computer connection is good and it will flash when you apply sound.

Does yours work like that?

Koz

That's the item, and it does have the blue light. But there are no controls, it's just a cord.

[kozikowski]

That + - thing is a thumbwheel and controls the volume of your microphone. Rub/Push toward + to get louder. The little switch on the side controls whether or not the Phantom Power is active (leave off).

Koz