Input level through Audient iD14-ll

[KeithJames]

I'm new working with a digital interface, Audient iD14-ll.  I'm having a problem with input.  Of course I'm using Logic Pro for the DAW.  I'm using a totally fine quality ADK condenser mic, phantom power is on, and using all new cables because of this problem. So, in order to get a visible soundwave on the audio track in Logic when recording vocals, I have to use an inordinately high gain volume on the iD14 and sing very close to the mic.  I have been getting by with this, but it is not right.  Well, now I'm recording acoustic guitar with the same mic and it is simply not sufficient.  I have to have the gain on the iD14 jacked all the way up, I have to have the Logic Pro track volume all the way up to 6 decibels a the top, and I have to add an EQ with the gain all the way up!  That is crazy.  When recording, in the headphones it is very hot and loud and humming because the gain on the Audient is near the top.  However, after recording, the result is a clean guitar sound, but again all volumes are turned all the way up, an added EQ has the gain all the way up, AND, there is NO! sound wave, it is so small that it is still a flat line when magnifying the track all the way.  Because it is indeed hot and loud when recording, I'm thinking that this is an issue with a setting on Logic Pro.  What am I doing incorrectly?  Thanks

[triplets]

What ADK mic is it exactly?

[Bullfitta]

There is nothing wrong per se with the gain all the way up….you won’t add noise this way, in fact that is the best signal to noise ratio, how ever you should have a strong signal anyway…..something seems wrong with either the mic or the interface.

[fuzzfilth]

I don't know the Audient specifically, but pretty much every mic pre, and especially cheap ones, will add *significantly* more noise at the top of its gain range. Maybe it's best to use the top 20% only in real emergencies where signal quality is not the priority.

Adding EQ and/or Fader gain make it louder on the Stereo Out, but will not change the recording level and its graphical display.

Have you tried the other input on the Audient ?

Does this happen on a new, empty Project ?

And yeah, maybe it's just wrong mic in the wrong position.

Edited April 23, 2022 by fuzzfilth

[Atlas007]

On (Logic) audio channelstrip there is a gain trim knob (with some audio interface) that could be used to increase the signal at the input of the channelstrip.

Besides, if the recorded track sound loud enough (as you seem to mention), to increase the graphical waveform, have you tired using the  zoom slider as demonstrated here.

[KeithJames]

No guys, on all accounts.  This is a serious problem and it has been going on as long as I have been using this Audient unit.  Look at the picture added.  THAT tiny light blue line is the full sound wave zoomed all the way with the wave zoom and the track expander up all the way!  And understand, there is pretty much NO sound unless I have added an eq the gain ALL THE WAY UP, and the channel volume ALL THE WAY UP, AND the gain on the Audient cranked to the top when recording.  This is not normal.  My Pro-Arte Tube pre-amp is totally and completely preferable if this is what a digital interface does.  But I know that this is NOT what a digital interface does.  Something is wrong.  And I'm pretty disappointed that there is no answer here yet.  And as I said, the sound is HOT and LIVE  and humming when recording on the headphones; of course it would be, because the gain on the interface is improperly way too high.  And then when it plays back on Logic Pro, nearly nothing.  This has nothing to do with not singing or playing close enough to the mic.  Something is seroiusly not functioning properly or set correctly and as I've said, it's been this way all the time.  With singing I'm able to get more sound through the mic and I can get a small wave that I can see on Logic, but with a delicate nylon string guitar and the mic practically in the sound hole, forget it, what ever is wrong is very clearly showing itself.  What is going on here.

[KeithJames]

Here is a better picture.  Actually, the zoom was not turned on on the prior picture.  Here you can see the wave form properly zoomed and again fully enlargened.  It's a little thicker than the first picture but you can see that it picked up not enough sound to register any visual wave.

Edited April 24, 2022 by KeithJames
typo

[triplets]

56 minutes ago, KeithJames said:

Here you can see the wave form properly zoomed and again fully enlargened.

That's not a normal looking waveform.

There's something not right on your mic or mic pre. That's not a Logic problem.

[Bullfitta]

That looks like leak from another channel almost….are you recording the correct channel?

[fuzzfilth]

12 hours ago, KeithJames said:

I'm pretty disappointed that there is no answer here yet

...including your own, so I'll repeat - have you tried the other input on the Audient ?

[KeithJames]

Hey fuzzfilth and Bullfitta.  I think you are onto something but I won't look at this for another 12 hours.  Whatever it is it will be something so simple that will make you scratch your head.  I'm an artist and songwriter and singer, and wires is not my strength so the manner in which I have learned on Logic Pro has been in my own completely strange and isolated bubble.  

I HAD tried the other line in the past, and I thought fuzzfilth you were suggesting that one line just wasn't working which is why I didn't answer.  But Bullfitta suggesting I'm getting just the leakage fro another line makes me understand the suggestion to try another line.  I will get back to you.  I don't think I understand how to assure on Logic Pro settings that the correct line is coming through.  This is not an Audient or a Logic Pro problem, this is ME having done a great deal of advanced recording on the strangest set of "wires" understanding and likely and extremely simple solve that both of you could fix in 30 seconds here in my studio.  I need your feedback.  I'll be in touch.

[fuzzfilth]

23 minutes ago, KeithJames said:

I don't think I understand how to assure on Logic Pro settings that the correct line is coming through.

This is how a Track looks with Input 1 selected as the source.

This is how a Track looks with Input 2 selectd as the source:

If your mic is plugged into Input 1, you won't get signal from Input 2 and vice versa.

[KeithJames]

Okay, this is what I was thinking when I looked at the channel strips earlier.  Still won't check until later tonight.  I have a feeling I'm calling "1" on the Audient which is actually "2".  It's not labeled.  I'm thinking this is all it is.  I know I must sound like a complete idiot.  It took me months to figure out how to consistently get sound out of this digital interface because the toggling system is not transparent and I couldn't find straight forward instructions on such a basic aspect of the unit and I didn't know why I wasn't getting sound consistently.  I've taken this thing off of my system three times in a year in favor of my Pro-Arte w/usb pre amp and for a while really resented this thing taking over my computer soundcard.  Again, the channel / input assignment is probably all this is going to be.  Here are some of my recordings, all done by moi on Logic Pro.  I'll get back when I check the inputs.  (KeithJames Thomson on youtube) https--www.youtube.com-channel-UC_r64m2Rdnkz6f9r3elkAnw.webloc

[fuzzfilth]

11 minutes ago, KeithJames said:

It's not labeled.

I'm tempted to argue it is...

[KeithJames]

Yes, and it's labeled on the top of top by the gain knobs also, and I had it hooked up correctly.  The issue turned out to be with my settings on the iD14-ll software.  I finally figured it out right before getting an email from Audient support (their help desk takes a few days to respond) and they asked questions about the same thing I had discovered was wrong.  We are still in conversation about the software in general, but it's a closed issue here with Logic Pro as it had nothing to do with it.  Thank you for all the feedback.  Adding a digital interface to my process with which I had been very comfortable has been pretty painful, and after trying to ditch it and go back to what I was using at least two times, I realized that going back was not the answer either.  I may be finally through the worst of adapting to the new reality here though with this thing (iD14-ll).

[David Nahmani]

Great, thanks a lot for updating your topic with your results so far. Very helpful.