Dimmed recording level whenever i plug my mic in

I've been using a samson g-track usb mic....and I have not had this problem until now
when i plug the mic in on garageband the recording level will go all the way down and go dim to where i can't make it go back up... therefor i can't record
how can i fix this?

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#volumesliderdimmed
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Recording Level grays out when I plug in my mic

Today I bought a Sennheiser e838 microphone with XLR cable and a MXL Mic Mate (to adapt it to USB) so I could record my voice. I plugged it in and it was working just fine and I recorded my song.
When I changed to a different session, the Recording Levels meter grayed out. When I unplugged the mic I was able to get it to come back on. I went back to the original session and plugged the mic back in and the Recording Levels meter grayed back out again. I unplugged the mic from the hub (the kind that has a power cord that plugs into the wall) and plugged it directly into the back of my computer but the recording meter was still grayed out.
I upgraded to GarageBand '11 to see if that would help, but the problem is the same. Does anyone have an idea why this happened and how I can fix it? I just paid about $200 for a mic and cable and everything and I hate for it to be worthless, but as soon as I plug it into Garageband, that Recording Levels meter is gone.

itchysoul wrote:
the Recording Levels meter grayed out.
since none of the "meters" get disabled, i'm guessing you mean the Input Control (slider):
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#volumesliderdisabled
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My friend just got a new iPhone and whenever he plugs his headphones in the mic no longer works. any help on what to do?

my friend just got a new iPhone and whenever he plugs his headphones in the mic no longer works. any help on what to do?

Hello dariusLoL
Start your troubleshooting with the article below to troubleshoot issues with your friends iPhone.
iPhone: Hardware troubleshooting
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2802
Regards,
-Norm G.

Why can't I adjust the recording level for a Blue mic???

Why can't I adjust the recording level for a Blue mic???

Most Blue usb mics have a gain control somewhere on them.

I plug my usb shure PG27 into garageband but the recording level gos to zero and will not move!

OK please help, I plug my usb shure PG27 into Garageband but the recording level wont budge and looks like its closed off for anyone moving the level!

wyattcba wrote:
I plug my usb shure PG27 into Garageband but the recording level wont budge and looks like its closed off for anyone moving the level!
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#volumesliderdisabled
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Recording Level?

New to Logic, coming from garageband and I have a quick, probably embarrassingly easy question, but in Garageband when recording from an external mic there's a slider that can set the recording level, to prevent clipping. Is there a way to do this when recording into Logic? Thanks.

No. This would only be a problem if you are plugging a mic directly into the computer (you're not doing that, are you?)
Any external audio interface you might use would have a level control. If you have not yet thought about getting an external interface, I suggest you search these forums for suggestions... there are many threads about this. I assume that you have upgraded to logic to have more control over your music than garage band will allow. As part of that process, a decent interface would seem mandatory (and a decent mic, of course... there are also many threads about this)
And in any case, when you're setting the level, you need to do more than just avoid clipping. Assuming you are recording in 24bit mode (you are, aren't you?) it makes a lot of sense to set your levels so that they are peaking at least 6 - 10 db below max. This doesn't look as pretty on the meters, but by the time you put them through a number of plugins and send them all to busses and outputs, that extra headroom will really open up your recordings so they don't sound so digital and squashed. There are also many threads about this.
Welcome to the big bad world!

Can't see the record levels

Hi All,
Brand new newbie here. I'm sure this question has been answered here but I'm not even sure how to search here for the answer.
I have Presonus Firebox. I was following the GB help video to record voice. I plugged my microphone into the Presonus Mic/Instrument 1 channel. Chose Mono 1 (Presonus Firebox) from the Input Source. I couldn't see any record levels on the track but tried recording anyway. GB actually recorded the voice since I could play it back and hear it. Also, if I look at the track its just a flat line.
How can I see the input levels on the track and see the the wave shapes on the track?
Thanks in advance for your help.
The Fudd

OK. Got it figured out. Looks like I didn't have the volume up high enough on the Firebox to register either on the UV meter on the track or to see the wave profile when recording.

Audigy 4 Pro Low Recording Levels/Master Knob/OSD probl

I purchased a second-hand Audigy 4 Pro. I was not given the software disk but managed to install the latest drivers and get it to play MP3s. I use Adobe Audition to record my old tapes to MP3 and record my attempts at guitar. With my SBLi've I had no problem. I bought the Pro because of the ease of using the breakout box. However I have some quesions about some problems I am having. ) Since I have no Creative software, just Win XP Mixer I don't seem to be able to control the input levels from either the mixer or the box. I have a tape deck using RCA to Line In 3 and an electric and acoustic guitar to Line In 2. The mixer record levels seem to have no effect. I can record but nothing seems to be much more than -20db or so at most. Could this be because Adobe Audition only shows Line In 3 L (ie one channel only)? Could this be because of the much greater dynamic range of the Audigy 4 compared to the SBLi've Value? Do I need additional Creative software and if so what and how to get it please?2) The Master knob on the breakout box just spins round and round without sto
ps.
In other words you can rotate it in either direction ad infinitum. Is this correct? Pushing it in and out does cause the mute to work fine. 3) The help file talks about an On Screen Display associated with the remote. I don't have one when I use the remote, even when I press the Display button. Again, do I need Creative software for the remote? I have a yellow question mark against Multimedia Audio Control in my device list. ThanksMessage Edited by Dunkelmann on 2-23-200607:22 PM
Message Edited by Dunkelmann on 2-23-200607:43 PM
Message Edited by Dunkelmann on 2-23-200608: PM
Message Edited by Dunkelmann on 2-23-200608:5 PM

Wow these forums still suck. You have easy questions and no one bothered to help you out. I registered jsut to answer them for you although you probably already figured it all out. . It seems that loudness is optomized by creatives own drivers. What you described was also true back when you could use the e-mu driver hacks before creative bought e-mu. 2. The master knob indeed spins for infinity, obviously with no effect once you get to either end. This sucks becasue i have OCD and constanly spin this thing all kinds of ways. THey should have used the same system as the line-/mic knob. Only God and the engineer will ever know why they did this. 3 Yes. The on screen display is pat of the creative media player app.
So to solve all your problems, you can get the full software package from creative.com under the support menu. Just follow the menu options for your device. The software requires that you have the hardware which you do so the software is free. One more problem you WILL have. The software doesnt install under XP. You have to enter windows safe mode and install it from there otherwise the whole thing freezes up during the start of the install process. Fun times!

Setting the record straight for setting recording levels in Logic

Hey everyone,
I asked a similar question a while back and got some great feedback, but I'm still a little confused about how to set a perfect recording level and work with the fader in Logic. A lot of what I've been doing has been trial and error and I would like to ask a few more specific questions:
I record with a MOTU traveler and have recently, for example, been recording direct with my guitar into the MOTU inputs. I am using "pre-fader metering", which is checked, and I using "software monitoring", which is also checked. When I am watching the fader, what should I be looking for? I always have the fader set at 0.0db. How do I set the perfect level in this situation? Should the fader be hitting red as I record? How do I make sure I don't clip, and what should I be watching for overall? AND, is it all the same process when recording with microphones? I've heard Logic records at a low level with MOTU products, but what exaclty does this mean in terms of setting levels and watching the fader as I record? I have been recording a lot lately and have some good sounding tracks and some that are not so great and I think it has a lot to do with the topic of this post.
Thanks for the help and clarification.

the fader position in logic does nothing to affect the recording level. That is totally dependent on the gain setting on your MOTU. The logic fader merely allows you to adjust the level at which you listen to the material you are recording. If you set the gain correctly on your MOTU then you shouldn't see the logic audio object hit the red unless your logic fader is set higher than 0dB. If your logic fader is at 0, and you still see red, then your gain is set too high. Remember, digital distortion is not like analog distortion. Once you have recorded the signal and you are in playback mode, then things change somewhat. The internal headroom of logic allows individual channels to hit the red without causing audible distortion. You should definitely avoid hitting the red on your audio output objects though.
I haven't heard about low levels with MOTU stuff. My own 896 has three settings on the inputs - mic, line and fixed +4dB. If you have variable gain as well, then you should be able to get healthy gain. If your recording level is very low, then recording at 24bit will help a lot towards a more detailed recording, as 16 bit can get grainy if the recorded levels are low.

I can't raise my recording level when recording my guitar

When I plug my guitar directly into my computer, GarageBand (line in) with guitar volume on max I get a weak recording signal (10% signal strength). It does record with decent playback but the signal is very weak with lots of headroom. When I adjust the "recording level" slider (even to max) I only gain another, maybe 10%, nowhere near the clipping red lights. Again, my guitar volume is set at max. Any ideas???

Your guitar's signal just isn't strong enough, you either need to pre-amplify it somehow (e.g. by using a pre-amp or a mixing console) or get an audio interface that does the analog-to-digital conversion.

IMic recording level.

I'm using the iMic USB interface to record drums but the volume control for Real Instrument is "greyed out"... can't be adjusted (it's "locked" all the way to the left). The computer preferences recognize and receives the input device. But I can't raise the input to a recordable level in GB. Is this a software problem?
I can record without any problems using Audacity. But why won't GarageBand allow me to adjust the recording level?
I have tried reinstalling OSX and GarageBand but I still have the same problem.
There's nothing wrong with the iMic because it works with Audacity.
Any ideas?

Hmmm well it appears that it is working. I've discovered that I am able to record, but the slider in GB is still greyed out so I can't adjust the recording level; but it seems to be ignoring the GB setting and just looking to the system preferences for the mic level. So I can only assume that it must be a software fault with GB.
Thanks for your help!

Recording Level Low in Garage Band, Avid mBox mini, NT2

HI there,
I have setup a home studio. I have a MacBook Pro connected to Avid Mbox Mini Soundcard, two speakers and a Rode NT2 condenser mic.
For some reason, the voice or acoustic recording level is very low...I can still record but the sound level is very low and if I increase the input volume then there is a terrible echo...I am sure there is something wrong.
These are the solutions I have already tried:
- System preferences, I put the input as Avid Mini...and activate +48 button to power the mic.
- Garage band, I move track volume to track pan, Monitor ON, 24bits...and the Recording Level is gray-out since I am using an external sound card (I assumed because of what I read).
Any idea on how I can solve this issue, I am sure there is something wrong, the mic and soundcard can record this bad.
Thanks in advance. Mariano

Hi, thanks very much for your reply gjmnz...I finally went to Virgin like 7 times...during the same day...to figure out what was the issue...and here is what I have learnt:
- The memory of the computer is very sensitive to recording, that is why I read some blogs saying that the mic is unstable, some times is picking up and sometimes is not...for instance I was using Torrents at the same time so the pick up was horrible...over time. Because the torrent and internet connection was eating my memory, event though I have 8gb
- The other thing I learnt and I agree with you (thank you) is that you shouldnt be paying much attention to the leds levels in GB...that will miss you, you have to test and try different gain levels.
- The last thing and what solved my problem, was to buy an analog mixer console for the mic to enhance the picking...And now it is working properly to the point that now it makes senses to use the lower of the Dbs...the NT2a has -4 or -8 for ambient noise cancelling...
Conclusion, for me at least...if you bought a Avid Mbox mini and you have a Rode Condenser mic (NT2a or NT1000, I tried both) the only way to enhance the capturing of the mic is to get a mixer console...
This is the one I bought http://www.mackie.com/products/402vlz3/ (it is ok...but works for home recording).
Hope this helps the rest...I read that the low volume issue is being around since 2007...and I saw a lot of question unanswered...
Best, Mariano

Can't adjust recording level with M-Audio Fast Track Pro

I downloaded the appropriate driver for my M-Audio Fast Track Pro interface & everything looks fine... BUT I can't adjust the Recording level at all. I am not sure if this is an issue with the M-audio device, or garage band??? It is driving me crazy, since I just want to make some music and can't even hear what is being recorded. ???

Thanks, .... Yes to all of the above. I am wracking my brain & will call M-Audio tomorrow. Everything looks perfect on the interface & on garage band - but, even though the Fast track Pro shows up in my sound preferences & I can select it as the input & output source, etc., when I go to its window, even hooked up, it says no "device is not connected." Then it details that there are "no input controls" under sound in system preferences. I have two working usb cords & it does the same on either. I think this is the problem & have no idea how to fix it. I just want to plug it all in and record & have lost So much time . Hmmmmm???

HP Pavilion dv7-1130us IDT HD sound card problem: recording levels too high

I have been trying to get the IDT HD sound card in my HP Pavilion dv7-1130us laptop to allow me to switch from "microphone" to "Line In" input signal. I cannot find an option anywhere in the laptop do this. There is not a separate Line-In jack on the laptop. The mike jack is it.
The reason I'm trying to change the input setting is that I am using Audacity/Lame (the Win 7-compatible Beta version) to convert old cassettes to MP3. My laptop came with Vista but I upgraded to Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) earlier this year.
The problem is that recording levels are way too high using the mike input and so the recording comes out harsh and distorted. I have tried all possible recording level adjustments on the tape deck (no option), IDT sound card control panel, Windows device manager, etc.
From what I am reading on the online Audacity forums, using a mike input will cause the recording levels to be too high, and the setting has to be changed to "Line In" and not "microphone." Is there not a way to do that with this laptop and sound card?
The HP Support Assistant tells me that the driver for my sound card is up-to-date.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I've been trying to find a solution on my own for a couple days with no luck.

Hi Amanda,
Try the following.
Download the IDT Audio installer on the link below and save it to your Downloads folder.
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp52501-53000/sp52658.exe
When done, open windows Control Panel, open Device Manager and open up Sound, Video and Game Controllers. Right click the IDT device and select Uninstall - you should also get a prompt to remove the current driver, tick the box to allow this and then proceed with the uninstall.
When complete, shut down the notebook, unplug the AC Adapter and then remove the battery. Hold down the Power button for 30 seconds. Re-insert the battery and plug in the AC Adapter.
Tap away at the esc key as you start the notebook to launch the Start-up Menu and then select f10 to enter the bios menu. Press f5 to load the defaults ( this is sometimes f9, but the menu at the bottom will show the correct key ), use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter. Press f10 to save the setting and again use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter.
Let Windows fully load - it will automatically load an audio driver, but just let this complete. Then open your Downloads folder, right click on the IDT installer and select 'Run as Administrator' to start the installation. When this has completed, right click the speaker icon in the Taskbar and select Playback Devices. Left click 'Speakers and Headphones' once to highlight it and then click the Set Default button - check if you now have audio.
Regards,
DP-K
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Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Recording level through audio interface is very low

I just purchased an M-Audio Fasttrack audio interface. when I plug my guitar in and turn up the recording level in Garageband the recording level is very, very low. Is there another way to increase recording level?

Yes this problem as well has left me very frustrated. If you find a solution please let me know. [email protected] you.

Dimmed recording level whenever i plug my mic in

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