Karaoke Forums

Okay - whoever this "Sammy" dude is, I gotta ask him something.

I have an old (olllllddddd) Gateway computer that I got in like 1998. When I record on it, if I have the mic cranked even 1/2 (in volume control) I have to be back pretty far from the mic to record. It picks up absolutely everything on this mic. I once had a fly land on the mic, and I thought my eardrum was gonna burst. I LIKE it this way- I can stay back from the mic a bit, I don't get any "pops" or anything, and I can turn the vocal track up or down as I need to. And, I can leave the music track a little loud too. I can have it pretty loud and still hear my voice fine over the music. (and I like loud, I do NOT like to record quietly). Not sure of the exact model, bt the soundcard on this comp is a Sound Blaster.

I just (2 months ago) got a brand new Dell. It also has a Sound Blaster (again, not sure of model, but I'm sure whatever "new" one they are using) But to record on it, I have to turn the music track wayyyyyy down, and be about 2 inches from the mic. It records my voice loudly on the track- when I play it back through the speakers I am loud enough. But the problem is I can't hardly HEAR my voice while recording. So I have to record very quietly, and literally lick the mic to get it where I can barely hear myself. (again- when I play it back- it's pretty loud tho)

I have all the recording volume settings maxed out- I've checked all that out. I just figured this new comp would be better. Anybody got any ideas?

Oh yeah- same identical mics used on both computers- and I share the headphones, wherever I'm recording.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Can you give me the models of the Gateway and the Dell. I'm pretty sure I can pull the models of the soundcards that way.

There's a chance that you're using a line in to record with instead of mic in. Since mics generally use much smaller signal levels than line level devices you'll have to find a way to 'boost' the signal if this is the only input on your sound card.

You mentioned you already checked the recording levels, but to be sure, there are recording levels for the sound card and another set within most recording applications. Often you'll find that mics are 'muted' which sometimes means that they're just turned way down instead.

Check the settings for sound from the control panel or by double-clicking the small speaker icon in the bottom right of the screen. I'd also check the levels within the recording software to be sure they're correct as well.

These are the types of problems that come first to mind, but once I find the models of sounds cards in use there may be others.

I have the same problems with my Dell too....

When I record, I turn the music up so that I can hear better in the headphones.....but then when I go to mix the song..I have to turn the track down to like -3.0 in volume...sometimes lower (using CEP).

My vocals are the same. I have the mic set on my volume contol panel very low because if I turn it up any higher....well, then I sound completely distorted.....and when I mix, I usually have to turn them up alot. I also sing very close to the mic....as I have a headset mic...just my ol cheap one from London Drugs.

And you are right. I have my mic on my volume control to hear through the earphones all the way up, but when the music is on...can't hear myself.

That seems to help a bit distortion wise and such...but, when I mix down the song...the song is always very quiet !

It is a pain, and I would love to know how to fix it too!

Where do you all connect your mic? it should be going thru a mixer or console so it goes thru a pre-amp & than you connect to the line of the card! I hope you're not connecting on mic in on the audio card?

I don't have anything like that....my mic connects to the soundcard...but, it is not a very powerful mic ($10.00 at London Drugs). It is more meant for that Dragon Program and such...not really a music mic.

Once we move out of the apartment, I will definately be looking to upgrade to some good recording stuff...but for now this works.

Are you worried about blowing the audio card? Or, with a mixer, you can just control volume levels better?

if you are using a $10.00 mic that is connected to the Mic In of the card than it's ok, it's where it should be connected. Normally, to get a clear sound, you should be connecting a good mic (from $49.00+) to a console that you can get for around $89.00 CDN. Behringer has very good ones that handles the XLR connection, this way you'll be able to use the LIne In of the card, the result will be day & Night! Those console has what you call, Aux sends & returns so you can use the FX that came with the SB card (EAX).

No need to spend much to get a good sound, spend more on the mic with XLR cable & than buy a Behringer that has good mic pre-amps.

I will definately take that into consideration

For right now, it seems such a waste as I can't even sing without being scared of neighbours ! Wishful thinking

OKAY- the Old Gateway- dunno model of it, but the sound card is Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64V.
The Dell is a Dimension desktop 2400, sound card is a creative SB Live! Series.

Does that tell ya anything?

I'm gonna play with some other ports on back of the computer- there appears to be alot of them for audio.

I tried plugging my headphones into the back, where the speakers go, (it is normally plugged into the front jack) but same thing- sounds quiet. The music is always loud- it's just the mic plugin I guess. The mic is an el-cheapo. (walmart shelf half price- $10 Labtech comp mic.) I've tried using my Shure SM58 & my Shure SM57 with an adaptor, but same thing happens. ??????

I tried ALL the volume settings. On the sound card settings, and on the volume properties. Both are set to max- I did the record test, and set that to max- there are no other settings I have not messed with. @ "small speaker icon"- that was my first adjustment when I got the comp.

Where do you find the volume levels in CEP? Is there such a thing?...... I mean, other than where you can turn them up or down AFTER they are recorded? Ya see- I'm not too great with CEP yet, I just learned the basics, and was satisfied when I got a 1/2 way decent sound. But there are soooo many things in CEP I have not messed with yet.

Thanks for all your responses. I'm not a dummy, but up until recently my music & my computer were never mixed. And I've never messed much with plug -in musical anything. (fiddles & banjos are accoustic, )

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Okay- nope, that is my one & only "mic" input on my comp. The rest are all for speakers & digital output.

HELP ME PLEASE!!!

I'm getting about ready to change the soundcards in the two computers to see if that works, but I don't really wanna open up this new Dell yet. I'm really hoping it's something else. Surely the today sound cards are better than those made 6 years ago??

My old comp does not have DSL, only dial up, so I hate to record on it. It takes too long to uplaod the song. Guess I could network the two computers & solve my problem, huh?? Hmmmm........ maybe that's an idear.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Nothing wrong with any of your sound card, it's got to do with the way you connect the mic. The Mic In on the card is design for small mics that comes with head phones set for chatting not to connect a mic that has a connector of 1/4 inch. Those mic needs pre-amp boost that you will find on a mixer or console. It's a question of resistance!

The reason you have so much gain is that you activated the 20db boost in your Mic levels, that is way too much for this type of mic's!! Now if you do remove that boost you won't hear anything, it's just not design for that!

Hope this helps?

I'll do some checking today on the sound cards and see if I can find a solution.

In the meantime, double click the speaker icon by the clock. Below the microphone look to see if you have an advanced button. If you do, click it and check the box that says +20dB Gain. That will also fix your problem.

NO need to buy a new card, I suggest you get yourself a Behringer UB-802 Console at $59,99 us and it will do the job! You'll have 2 mic in with XLR connection & 1/4 inch, Aux send/returns & on top of that an headphone jack! You'll connect the console in Line In of the card & use the FX that came with the EAX software, excellent btw!
I can help you with the connections & the levels after if you wish?

Check the Behringer site for more details!

Karaokemeister- The +20db mic boost is checked already. I did not know about that, so thank you. (but it was checked )


Micky- the mic I'm using IS that cheap kind that you'd use for chatting. It's just a little ol' comp mic. I have TRIED my other "singing" mics, but to no avail. And that is NOT what I'm using now.
I'd like to get the Behringer in the future. Honestly, as silly as it sounds- I don't currently have $60 to spare. If I ever get $60 extra, usually there's a bill to put it towards or one of the kids need new shoes or something. But I'll keep that in mind for when I do get to purchase some better stuff. I plan on doing it eventually. (when I hit the Oregon MegaBucks lottery, ) For now, I have to use what I have without going to the store for more gadgets. I meant I would swap out my two existing sound cards in my 2 computers. (not buy a new one)

Thanks for all the help you guys, I'll try to check back on here tomorrow to see if you've come up with more ideas.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Ok, I did some checking...

The original Soundblaster 64V card has a mic in on it.

The Dell Dimension 2400 appears to have an on-board sound card. If you have an actual sound card in the pc let me know because even when I went through the options available for purchase it didn't list any multimedia options. If you've installed the card yourself make sure it's seated fully and has the proper drivers installed. If you can provide the model # off the Live card it might help - it's in the top right corner of the PCI card above the SoundBlaster Live! logo.

The PC has line-in and mic-in. Make sure you have the correct input - it should be red on the 64V and also on the integrated sound card (BTW, it's also red on the SB Live! cards).

Make sure you've turned up the mic, the +20dB is selected, the mute is NOT selected, and that it's also turned up in the recording software.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. The two mic inputs should be about the same impedence and offer about the same levels of input.

BlueStainedShoes, I have a spare mixer I can give you. It's a Behringer Eurorack UB502. Look on the web for the spec's. If you want it, I'll mail it to you, no charge, you can have it. If you're interested, send me a PM with your address, and I'll see that you get it. It will be more then enough for your needs. Check your PM.

Gee, FREE Stuff where do I get in on that?!

Me, please - oh me, send me some Free Stuff too!



P H I L L

Have you looked at BSS's picture and then compared it to your's? She's cute, you're a guy! Does that answer your question Phill?

Ah, man - you're making me blush.

Allstar- I sent ya a PM. Couldn't be on much over the weekend, so.... sorry about the delayed answer.

Webguru- you leave my free Behringer alone!!!!

Thank you Tony.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

@ she's cute and ur a guy........that she is, i agree an external mixer is the only way to go...and blue u get to use ur sm 58 to...ur gonna love it hun....ur such a softy allstar....hmmmmmm, i wonder if ur wife knows about this......oh i was checking out ur web site the other night allstar, ur vacation...some awesome pic....then there was pic. of you......kk...hugsssssssssss blue, manly hand shake there Tony...ohhhhh....u remind me of david letterman Tony......i just laugh everytime i see ur pic....he's a great guy to...

that was a great thing for you to do my friend...ohhhhh, love that shiny new red car u have....can u send that to me, r do i have to drive up there to get it? please email me as to which one is the easiest for you......

So good to see you around. You were missed and now you come back poking fun at me? Not fair And ps. that shiny red car is history. It's now a shiny blue one. Also a convertible 2 seater. That's what happens when you hit mid life crises


and never call me a softy again OK