spyder Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Hey guys this is my first topic, hope this is the right section to ask. I get really low volume when recording, and listening in playback. The wave length looks to be okay, but the volume of the vocals are nothing in comparison to the instrumental. I am using a MBP 15" 2015 with discrete graphics on Mojave. But I have the same issue on High Sierra on a MBP 13" early 2011. My mic is a Samson G-Track and is plug and play, no drivers, USB condenser mic. I used to use it on Windows with Cool Edit Pro with no problems. I even have used it on the 13" MBP with Logic and sounded beautiful, for about a week or so. When i went to use it again, the vocals were dramatically lower. If i increase the volume on the mic itself too much, of course the mic clips and the audio cuts out. Ive googled and seen all the best settings... I record in mono... there is no white noise creeping in, I have a pop filter but have always used one. The walls have a blanket hung up to rid reverb. Have tried a different USB-B cable and no resolve. Logic issue? Mic issue? if so, I am not looking to spend a great deal, Mics along with a pre-amp can get expensive, what would be an easy cheap solution? Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 Hey guys this is my first topic, hope this is the right section to ask. Sure, this is fine. I get really low volume when recording, and listening in playback. The wave length looks to be okay, but the volume of the vocals are nothing in comparison to the instrumental. At what peak level are you recording your vocals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 I would say 3.7 based off a previous track I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 I would say 3.7 based off a previous track I did. I'm guessing you are negative 3.7 and not positive 3.7 in the red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 Correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 And if you mute the vocals and playback the instrumental, what peak level do you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 -.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 -.1 That's a fairly loud mix. So you're peaking at -3.7 when recording, that's already a hot signal hitting the yellow part of the meter in Logic. Not low volume at all. Bring the instruments down and you will hear your vocals. Or add a Gain plugin, crank it to your liking. That way you will not clip the converter on the input of your interface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 But even when I mute the instrumental to listen back, the recorded audio is very low on playback. It was fine once, I want to say I was using either Sierra or a lower version of High Sierra st the time. The guy who does my mixing has also noticed the drop in recording volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 But even when I mute the instrumental to listen back, the recorded audio is very low on playback. Any plugins or automation on the track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 None. And haven’t changed any settings since it sounded beautiful that one time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 None. And haven’t changed any settings since it sounded beautiful that one time. Make sure "Independent monitoring level for record enabled tracks" is unchecked in Logic's preferences under Audio / General. Also, what's the peak level now on the vocal track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 Doing a session at this second, the instrumental is 1.6 and the vocals are around -4.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 Doing a session at this second, the instrumental is 1.6 and the vocals are around -4.5 Have you tried a compressor on the vocals to even it out a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 I have not, just learning this program, taken a look at some editing tools just now. Could that be it? Just not sure as to why it was once perfect, and now is not. I’d love a plug and play method that just had the vocals loud enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 I have not, just learning this program, taken a look at some editing tools just now. Could that be it? Just not sure as to why it was once perfect, and now is not. I’d love a plug and play method that just had the vocals loud enough Just add a Logic Platinum compressor. On the plugin: Turn off auto gain Ratio around 3:1 Attack around 10ms Auto release Threshold turn it counterclockwise until you see the gain reduction needle move around -5dB Apply make up gain to taste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 I’ll try, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 You should not have to add a compressor to hear your vocals. A 2 or 3 dB difference between the instrumental and the vocal means they should sound at pretty much the same loudness, and not "nothing compared to the instrumental" as you put it. Can you show us some screenshots of your Mixer during playback, or your Tracks area where we can see the waveforms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luismusic Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Spyder! I have the same problem. Everything was allright bur suddenly the volume of my recording are extremely low. I've tried with different micros and audio interfaces but I think Logic is the problem. Did you solve it? Any kind of help would be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosstalker1 Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 anybody find a solution to this.. ive been recording for the longest then all a sudden it starts recording low... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzfilth Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 anybody find a solution to this.. ive been recording for the longest then all a sudden it starts recording low... Same computer, OS, Logic version, mic and cables as OP ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quitobarajas Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I'm also having the very same issue. I don't think it's a matter of having the same computer. For whatever reason, when launching Logic for the very first time, about a year and a half ago, I remember not needing to enable software monitoring. I could hear myself using my macbook's built in mic and a pair of external headphones. Recording was good and playback was solid. Then I remember relaunching my Logic session and panicking over not being able to hear myself. I remember eventually finding out about software monitoring but it's less than ideal. Now, I can hear myself fairly well since I've been using an audio interface to plug in, but the volume of the signal doesn't match its strength on the dbFS indicator. I need to add slapback delay just to hear myself when recording vocal takes. I can't even adjust delay to taste. I have to rely on it for my vocal to cut through AND sit in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quitobarajas Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 by the way, if I record audio using my audio interface straight to an app like quicktime, the audio comes out great. Full signal, full volume. Do that in Logic, and no cigar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzfilth Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Instead of diving into the at this point usually ensuing and tiring one-question-one-answer-at-a-time-quiz, here's the obligatory check list: - Instrument is plugged in - Instrument volume is up - You're using the right side of the mic - Mic pad is off - Cable/connectors are in working order - Mic phantom power at the interface is on if the mic requires it - Gain knob at the audio interface / mic level in MacOS is up - Pad at the interface is off - Meter/LED on the interface shows decent level - Direct Monitoring at the interface is off (you may want to change this later) - Correct interface is selected in Logic for both input and output - Software Monitoring is on (you may want to change this later, depending on Direct Monitoring) - Both lower prefs are off. I can't bring myself to type this ridiculous text anymore, here's a screenshot: - Correct input is selected on the recording track - Track is rec armed - Logic is in either Record or Stop - Meter on the recording track shows decent level - No or only bypassed plugins - Channel Fader is at unity - Channel Mute is off - Channel is routed to Stereo Out - Stereo Out Fader is at unity - Stereo Out Mute is off - Meter on the Stereo Out shows decent level - Master Fader is at unity - Mac Volume is up if using built-in audio - Output / HP level on the interface is up - HP cable is plugged in and in working order - HP is on your head, somewhere near or even on your ears - You're not deaf Go down that list, find where you drop off and report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quitobarajas Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 To solve the issue I have to turn all instruments way down, then bring them back up after my recording session. I always record unity. After recording I have to gain boost the heck out of the audio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzfilth Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Yes, and here we are. Did you follow my list ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quitobarajas Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I sure did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quitobarajas Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I had to gain my audio by +7dbs. I guess that's not a super huge deal though. If I can get time to get a screen recording of what's going on I will do just that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzfilth Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 So where on the list did you lose so much that you had to add +7db afterwards, and to get where ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelz1 Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Bosstalker1 I have same problem. Were you able to find the cause or solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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