Scarlett Solo + Shure 55SH II, Low volume but useable

[rachalmers]

Well the all new singing dancing Scarlett Solo has arrived and is in use, along with the new Numark headphones.
What a difference. But of course, I'm facing a minor problem in that the Shure55SH II is a Dynamic mic, thus somewhat low volume output in the sense that the SOLO at full gain doesn't drive the signal up high enough to be able to sit back from the mic comfortably, and up close, the usual "mouth noises" become somewhat evident.
Otherwise, on my Mac Mini, OSX 10.11.2 it works brilliantly. Just "plug and play" I am now able to get a basic recording that has very low noise floor, minimum peaks, and a useable RMS if I stay up close to the mic. Seems to require only minimum twerking with effects then. Normalisation and Limiting does it. If I may quote from the Focusrite FAQ,

I have to set the gain high to get a good input level
The Saffire and Scarlett microphone preamps provide between +10dB and +55dB of gain to the input signal before the converters. The gain required to obtain an acceptable signal level will depend on several factors including the input source and the type of microphone.

For example, signals with a high SPL like those from acoustic drums and guitar amplifiers aren't likely to require much amplification so it's normal to set the gain on the lower range. This is particularly true if a sensitive condenser microphone is utilised. Quiet signals such as vocals will require more amplification, particularly if used with a dynamic microphone.

The gain change by the potentiometer isn't linear and it's not unusual to require setting the gain towards the high extreme to get a reasonable signal level.

So if it's any help to others.... The unit is brilliant. No hiss, no noise, nothing.

and if anyone has read this far, does Audacity have a setting that can be used to "increase input volume" before recording. Unfortunately, using the SOLO, the Input Volume control is greyed out. It tells me to use the System input control - which is not there.

[cyrano]

There is a hardware solution for low level mics like some older dynamics and ribbon mics. It's called the "cloudlifter". It needs phantom power and gives you another 20 dB gain. It's not cheap, though. There are two others that are a little friendlier to the purse. One is the FetHead and I can't remember the third one's name...

http://cloudmicrophones.com/products/cloudlifter-cl-1/

http://tritonaudio.com/index.php?sectio ... &Itemid=33

Ah, found it. It's the Mogaine and this one has 25 dB gain:

http://www.crimsonaudiotransformers.com/Mogaine/

But you might as well use the amplify function in Audacity after recording. It's easy, it's fast and it's free.

[kozikowski]

And you may not need anything else.

Post the traditional ten second raw test clip and let's see how far off it is. As you noticed, this combination's noise is much quieter than the other system. The noise level just has to be 60dB quieter than the show to pass, wherever the two are. I expect the clarity of the voice got much better.

You have the SOLO cranked all the way up, right? The other control (02) should be off and the 48v light should be off.

Try running the microphone closer, but off to one side. Like half-left as you announce. That should give you much better volume without the P Popping. The purists will object on tonal quality grounds, but we're not miking Adelle, here.

It's not unusual for manufacturers to ship stand-alone MicPre/digitizers with low volume. I have a Shure X2U which works that way. As I wrote them, I would kill to have just 10dB more volume. It's safer low. Most people don't pay any attention to the sound meters and overload/excessive volume is fatal. So everybody gets to record low volume safely and "fix it in post."

Koz

[Dana_Tucker]

and if anyone has read this far, does Audacity have a setting that can be used to "increase input volume" before recording. Unfortunately, using the SOLO, the Input Volume control is greyed out. It tells me to use the System input control - which is not there.

I know I am a little late to the party, but just in case. Go to View, Tool Bars and make sure the "Recording Meter Tool bar" is selected. This is what it looks like on my set up, v. 2.1.2.

fullscreen000.png (38.04 KiB) Viewed 2650 times

[kozikowski]

Macs don't use the Audacity recording slider for digital input as a rule. Since Audacity doesn't apply filters or effects in recording, you pretty much have to get it right before the computer.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Make as good and loud test recording as you can, stop, apply Effect > Normalize (as below) and then Analyze > ACX Check.

-- Effect > Normalize: [X]Remove DC, [X]Normalize to -3.2 > OK

What happens?

Koz

[Dana_Tucker]

Macs don't use the Audacity recording slider for digital input as a rule. Since Audacity doesn't apply filters or effects in recording, you pretty much have to get it right before the computer. Koz

I have always believed that Macs were better for recording audio, or at least, that is what I have always been told. I have no knowledge concerning the usage of Macs. As far as the input recording level goes, if you can not get to a -18 to -6, you will chase these ACX requirement numbers, till the cows come home, and still fail. This happens a lot with Podcasters. They will buy a pretty dynamic mic for $450.00, without knowing that it takes a min of 60dbs to power it. Now they must buy the items you mentioned above, to raise their gain.

Now, if you can get your noise floor to a -70 max and your input level between a -12 and -6, talk past your dynamic mic no further the 3 inches away, use the new RMS Normalizer set to -20dbs, you will pass the ACX requirements, every single time.

As far as setting your input levels before you record with Audacity, I must be misunderstanding your statement. I can click on my Mic input level meter in Audacity, and adjust my mic input dead on, before I start to record. That is how I place it between a -6 and -12dbs.

You can find the new RMS plug in here. http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 78#p293878

[kozikowski]

I can click on my Mic input level meter in Audacity, and adjust my mic input dead on, before I start to record.

... In Windows. The Mac system as a rule has no provision to scale or boost. In the System panels, the controls are gray. Audacity gets its work from the System, no matter which computer you use.

Koz

[Dana_Tucker]

I can click on my Mic input level meter in Audacity, and adjust my mic input dead on, before I start to record.

... In Windows. The Mac system as a rule has no provision to scale or boost. In the System panels, the controls are gray. Audacity gets its work from the System, no matter which computer you use. Koz

I still am not picking up what you are putting down. Are you saying that the Mac system can not do this but Window can? Are we both saying the same thing, using different verbiage? I only ask due to the fact that I have 16 channels running into my PC, via one USB connection and I can control the mic input level, using the controls in Audacity. That is what the OP asked. I am not talking about boosting added gain, simply regulating the input level from my mixer, into Audacity, before I click record. I simply do not understand what you are saying. Thanks.

does Audacity have a setting that can be used to "increase input volume" before recording. Unfortunately, using the SOLO, the Input Volume control is greyed out. It tells me to use the System input control - which is not there

[steve]

Macs do not generally support changing the input level from USB devices.

On Windows and Linux, changing the input level from a USB device is generally accomplished by digitally scaling the input signal (like using "Amplify" in Audacity).

With special hardware and drivers, it's not 'impossible' for a computer to control the hardware gain of a USB audio device, but there are very few devices that do this.
Ideally, on Windows and Linux, the digital gain should be 'unity' and the input gain set with the hardware controls. That is, a full scale digital signal from the USB device gives 0 dB in Audacity. On Mac, this always happens because there is no digital gain control. On Windows this can be achieved by using WASAPI exclusive mode. On Linux this can be achieved by selecting the ALSA "hw" option for the recording device.