spurs78 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Hi all, Absolute beginner - tried looking all over Google, can't find this simple answer! Using Logic 8 on a Macbook 10.6.8, recording my acoustic guitar through an SE USB 2200a mic onto an audio track. I want to record close to the mic but the input volume is clipping and the recording is distorted. The mic itself has various options, such as using the -10db, but then it's too quiet and tinny. Same results with the mic's inbuilt Low-cut. I can't figure out how to lower the input volume in Logic and I don't want to adjust the position of the guitar as the sound quality gets reduced. Any help much appreciated! Spurs78 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Hi and welcome to our forum! I'm sorry to say it but you are out of luck. The USB microphone is not an ideal solution as you have now experienced. A USB microphone is in fact 4 things in one: Microphone. Preamp. Analog - Digital converter. USB interface. You are clipping the internal AD inside of the mic and the only thing you can do about it is to use the pad. I would recommend getting a proper audio interface and a "normal" microphone. That will allow you to set the amount of gain in the preamp stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi Torres Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 With those mics you can usually adjust the gain by going to the Sound system preferences. There you should find a slider for adjusting the input gain. In USB mode, the microphone gain is optimised for close speech or general purpose instrument recording, and can be further adjusted via the Mac or PC Audio device control panel. Apple Macs and PCs handle digital audio slightly differently so the sE USB2200a also includes a Mac/PC switch to provide the correct output level for both platforms. The combination of the MAC/PC gain switch and the ability to further adjust the mic gain via the Mac and PC control panel allows the USB2200a to be applicable for a far wider range of pro applications than other USB microphones. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 With those mics you can usually adjust the gain by going to the Sound system preferences. There you should find a slider for adjusting the input gain. J. Yes. But then you are adjusting the gain in the digital domain. So if you are clipping the AD you're still out of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi Torres Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yes. But then you are adjusting the gain in the digital domain.So if you are clipping the AD you're still out of luck! Well, if there's nothing that can be done (besides using the pad) to prevent clipping the A/D...what a horrible idea these mics are! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yes. But then you are adjusting the gain in the digital domain.So if you are clipping the AD you're still out of luck! Well, if there's nothing that can be done (besides using the pad) to prevent clipping the A/D...what a horrible idea these mics are! J. You can always step away a foot from the microphone. I agree with you jordito! This microphone is not intended for music recording. I think it's aimed at podcasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi Torres Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I agree with you jordito! This microphone is not intended for music recording. I think it's aimed at podcasters. However, I just saw that it can also be used as a regular mic, so that's good. Another limitation of its USB mode is the bit depth: 16-bit tops. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 It must be since the SE2200 has only 16 bit AD converters. Which is euh, unexpected for such an expensive mic. To anyone who "must have" an USB microphone: go for one with 24 bit AD conversion, like the AKG Perception 120 USB, the MXL Studio 24 or the (yes, it's available!) Apogee Mic. All priced under 200 $, the AKG only $ 150 even! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Another limitation of its USB mode is the bit depth: 16-bit tops. J. I have downloaded every PDF and read every "specs" and "tech note" on the SE site, and nowhere do they explicitly state it is 16 bit. It reinforces my rule of thumb: if an interface or a USB microphone does not state its AD conversion bitdepth, it is 16. The 24 bitters always advertise their 24 bit-ness, the 16 bitters hide their 16-bitness in shame... The difference in a nutshell: 24 bits AD concersion has a (much) greater dynamic range, meaning it is easier to avoid clipping and get a dynamically much deeper signal than with 16 bit convertors. Edited March 1, 2012 by Eriksimon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi Torres Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The 24 bitters always advertise their 24 bit-ness, the 16 bitters hide their 16-bitness in shame... J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs78 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ok, thanks guys. Bugger. It seems I'll be getting a new mic! Quality is great though. I'll have to master the mic's in built options. Thanks for your quick replies, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi Torres Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ok, thanks guys. Bugger. It seems I'll be getting a new mic! Quality is great though. I'll have to master the mic's in built options. You could also get an audio interface and use it as a regular mic. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ok, thanks guys. Bugger. It seems I'll be getting a new mic! Quality is great though. I'll have to master the mic's in built options. Thanks for your quick replies, much appreciated. AFAICS your mic is of at least decent quality, and since it can apparently operate as a "normal" non-USB mic, you might want to consider a 24 bits Audio Interface with a mic preamp instead, to plug your SE2200 into that as a "normal" mic. edit: I now see Jordi's got the same idea, only 5 minutes earlier than I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs78 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ok, that would be the better option. Any recommendations of relatively cheap (but effective) audio interfaces? I'm only recording acoustic tunes, so don't need anything too fancy. thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ok, that would be the better option. Any recommendations of relatively cheap (but effective) audio interfaces? I'm only recording acoustic tunes, so don't need anything too fancy. thanks again. OK, but first define "relatively cheap" - in US dollars, pounds or Euro's. The range is (roughly) between € 80 (M-Audio) and € 529 (RME Babyface). For your needs the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (€ 139) may be the ideal price-quality ratio. But there is a lot of choice in that priceclass, so don't take my word for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shivermetimbers Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 It reinforces my rule of thumb: if an interface or a USB microphone does not state its AD conversion bitdepth, it is 16. The 24 bitters always advertise their 24 bit-ness, the 16 bitters hide their 16-bitness in shame... The difference in a nutshell: 24 bits AD concersion has a (much) greater dynamic range, meaning it is easier to avoid clipping and get a dynamically much deeper signal than with 16 bit convertors. Rule of thumb: Don't purchase the 'cheapshit.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Jackson Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Any recommendations of relatively cheap (but effective) audio interfaces? I'm only recording acoustic tunes, so don't need anything too fancy. This is a really good option for you. Reliable, good pre's for the money and works well with Logic. And, I especially like that it's NOT made of plastic. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=645633&Q=&is=REG&A=details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs78 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qvr Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Get an Apogee ONE, audio interface and the built-in condenser mic is surprisingly good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks guys. You're welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjulia Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 If I connect my deck to the imac (minijack) and record with Logic, how can I adjust the input volume? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 If I connect my deck to the imac (minijack) and record with Logic, how can I adjust the input volume?thanks Click the Apple at the top left of your screen, choose System Preferences then Sound, Input and adjust your input Volume: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjulia Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 buuuuf... How easy, how had I not seen it before? Thanks David!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakobP Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 You can also do it in Logic, ctrl-click the channel strip and check the "Audio Device Controls" option You then have a gain knob on the channel strip... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjulia Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 I can't check the "Audio Device Controls"... don't know why... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 buuuuf... How easy, how had I not seen it before? Thanks David!!! You're welcome! I can't check the "Audio Device Controls"... don't know why... Is it grayed out? What happens when you attempt to select it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjulia Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 I ctrl-click the channel strip and check the "Audio Device Controls" option (No grayed out) but NO gain knob appears... and when I go to do another time, the audio device is not checked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Are you on an audio track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjulia Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 yes... an audio track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Open the Mixer and try to do the same in the Mixer, see if you can see the settings there? In Logic's audio preferences, which input device is selected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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