Trouble hooking a Microphone up to an sb!live

[Brian07]

Ok, I'm trying to get a mic to work with vegas pro and I can't seem to get it to work. I have a full size mic that people normally use to sing with, it has a 1/4 plug, so I bought the adapter that steps it down to the standard phono which is 1/8 I think. It fits perfectly in the back of the live. I thought that maybe this type of mic required a powered source so I hooked it through a guitar amp, and jumped the out line to the back of the sb!live via the jumper. Still nothing. I'm trying to set this up for my brother, I know nothing at all about recording muscial stuff and he is just picking it up. If anyone cares to drop some helpful info, or maybe point us to a nice text it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[Zalen]

Have you tried it useing just windows sound recorder? It might be muted. double click the speaker in the taskbar. Look and see if any mi properties are muted. Just unmute all if you want. Thats what I do hen I get mad at it...lol.

 

[Ornery]

Double click the speaker icon in your tray and look at the advanced settings to see if the mic input is muted.

 

[Brian07]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I made sure everything is unmuted and I used the windows sound recorder to try to just pick up a sound, but nothing. Thanks!

Brian

 

[Warrenton]

I assume you are hooking it to the MIC connector not the line-in?

 

[Brian07]

yep, but I've tried sticking it in each port, but nothing.............

 

[Stembolt]

Ok, let's remove some of the variables. Try a cheapo mic with a mini-plug that doesn't need an adapter. The SBLive uses a stereo mini-plug input. Plug it into the 3rd port from the gameport. Now try sound recorder.

Still no luck? Double-check volume control and make sure Microphone is one of the options. You may need to click properties to add it.

This should narrow your problem down. After you get it working, try your full size mic again. It is a dynamic mic, so it does not require a phantom source of power (those have XLR connections, not 1/4&quot. However, You will get better results by plugging the mic into a preamp (or other unit designed to accept a mic) and recording through your stereo line inputs.

I hope this helps.

 

[Warrenton]

May sound silly but do you have it unmuted in the recording properties? Go to volume control, then properties and choose recording.

 

[Ornery]

Just remebered, this happened to me once too. After about 15 minutes I remembered the switch on the damn mic!

 

[GladiatorMaximus]

2 things could be wrong 1st the adapter could be malfunctioning an secondly did you check the volume controls usually the mic is on mute!

 

[Brian07]

yeah the mic is not set on mute, I've checked that option thoroughly. Stembolt you talk of recording from a preamp to my stereo? What do you mean? And the adapter i've bought is a phono(mono i guess) adapter, not stereo, could this be the issue? I'm gonna pick up a cheapo mic and try it out. The mic I'm currently using doesn't have a power switch, I can plug the 1/4 directly into the guitar amp and it works great, but if I stick on the adapter and plug it into the card nothing. Would one of the sb live daughter cards be worth getting to grab a few more inputs, or is it better to record each track at a time (lead, bass, voice, etc.) and than mix them all togther. Again I'm not a music guru, my younger brother has a small high school band and I'm trying to help them out, but I'm so damned clueless about this stuff. Thanks!!

Brian

EDIT: Stembolt, the mike does have an XLR connection at the bottom of the mic, but it came with a 16 foot cord that plugs into the bottom of the mic and has a 1/4 plug on the other end.

 

[Stembolt]

Brian, try here: Sound Card Basics
Be sure to click on the FAQ and follow the appropriate links, too. You should be able to find info for connecting your mic.

It sounds like you are trying to do quite a big job. Consider the purpose of the recording before you begin. If your brother's band sounds good live, let them showcase this. I will assume that they have enough equipment to perform. Put up a couple of mics (you may need to borrow them) and record them at a performance. You may even be able to use equipment available at the venue.

Also, one of the band members may have access to a church, club, school band hall or auditorium. The high school may have an event (talent show, etc.)in which the band could perform. They may even allow access for reheasals. Be sure that you can control the relative volumes of the instruments and vocals. Record a rehearsal and listen to the playback to see if anything needs major adjustment.

You could try to record each instrument and vocal separately, but that could be a ton of work and I wouldn't try it without the appropriate equipment and software.

Good luck.