low volume and hum using mic

[Xerlome]

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

It's called Track Link Microphone to USB Interface, XLR3F to USB Type A, but it's just the cord with no control like that, just a little blue light near the USB end.

[DVDdoug]

So... It looks like it's either the USB interface or the microphone. The USB interface plugs directly into the mic, right? There's no other cable that could potentially be bad, right?

The normal troubleshooting procedure would be to try a different mic or a different interface. Or as Koz suggested, find a local music store where you can try-out your mic on a PA system.

It's unlikely that the mic is the problem... But, I wouldn't expect the Hosa interface to be dead on arrival either. And in any case, it's weird to have a weak signal... If something was broken it's more likely that you'd have no signal at all.

P.S.
One more thought... In Audacity, have you selected the USB device as your input? (It shows-up next to the microphone icon.) If you are recording "Stereo Mix" or something like that, the recording volume will be affected by your playback volume setting.

[Xerlome]

Audacity is set to "Microphone (2-USB PnP Sound)"

There's only the one cord from mic to USB. Is the control part missing, or is this a different version, without controls? It cost $50, seems a lot for a simple adapter.

Microphone level set to 100 in properties. With Audacity record on, input volume on highest: If the mic is laid down, the input level meter fluctuates (below -36) as if music is playing, though there's nothing on. If I pick it up and hold it still in silence, it goes to -24, very slight fluctuation. If I speak, normally, close to mic, the meter reads about -20. If I yell close up, it will go to -12, and if I shout loud, it will go to 0. Output volume doesn't affect level. If I record there is a thick line (the hum) and on playback, there is a constant low hum. Apart form that, the voice sounds okay to me except for the low volume.

How could the mic be so sensitive to being held, and then hardly register a speaking voice? Where is the hum from?

[Xerlome]

DVDdoug: "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."

I don't understand all of this. Would using a preamp or mixer solve the problem?

[steve]

Most USB preamps and mixers include a headphone socket that allows you to hear the microphone with no delay.
Some USB microphones have a headphone socket for the same purpose, but many do not. If a USB mic does not have a headphone socket, then it will probably not be possible to listen to the microphone without a delay.

[kozikowski]

I think we shouldn't wander from the problem. The Microphone/preamp/computer combination doesn't work. The super high noise level that changes when you pick up the microphone and low speaking volume point to a defective microphone or preamp (cable). It's also remotely possible that it's a USB problem in which case a new USB microphone may not help.

My engineering training tells me to clear each piece of the system individually. Check the microphone (at the store), check the cable, check the USB connections. Well over 90% of problems are solved that way. The remaining 10% are killers. Those are the problems which only happen in combination. Those are the problems you pay someone to fix. That's not first level maintenance any more.

Koz

[DVDdoug]

I think we shouldn't wander from the problem.

Yes, it's a bit off-topic. I brought-up the latency issue because he is considering buying some new hardware.

[kozikowski]

is considering buying some new hardware.

True. I rather like the G-Track I borrowed for the overdubbing tests. It was very well behaved and, of course, it's now certified for Overdubbing.

Koz

[Xerlome]

Thanks. I'll check out the mic and cable and get back to you. I will say I've had no problems with my USB ports for other things. I may not have the settings right, I'm known for that.

[kozikowski]

Thanks. You have, as we keep insisting, unexpectedly bad performance from what should be a simple microphone system, and we're not talking AT&T Long Lines Interchange problems here. It's three pieces.

Koz