Hello folks,

I don't know if this is normal but I recently recorded some acoustic guitar for THIS collab and I had to have the gain on the input on my 2nd Gen Scarlett 18i8 all the way up, the mic (SM57) was very close to the guitar. I used input four.

Any ideas how to improve the signal?



I read THIS forum but it didn't really give me a solution, I love the Scarlett and don't really want to get to grips with another interface but I wouldn't mind buying an "add-on".

UPDATE: Maybe get one if these as mentioned in that article, didn't spot it when I read it. Anyone got any experience with them? https://www.tritonaudio.com/fethead


The other question is, after reading THAT article mentioned above, it says that the "LINE/INST" won't make any difference when using XLR, everything I use I connect with XLR, is there a better option? My Line 6 wireless sender is connected using XLR but does have a 1/4 out too, would it be better to use either the 1/4 out to the 1/4 in on the Scarlett and is that the same as using the xlr out with a cable that has a 1/4 the other end into the Scarlett?

Thanks

Phil

This post has been edited by Phil66: Jan 9 2021, 09:11 AM

Seem's everything you did is right and your interface is not to blame. The problem is an sm57 needs a lot of gain if the source isn't loud enough. Rather than more gain, we prefer more sensitive mic.s which are condencer mic.s.

Never really tried that triton audio product but even if you did get it and solve your gain issue, I don't think an acoustic guitar would sound as good compared to a budget condencer mic.

Thanks Mertay,

Any suggestions for a condensor mic?

Cheers

have you tried Phantom power even though that mic is not suppose to need it

Actually I listened your video and it wasn't bad sounding. I mean sure I can suggest mic.s but if you're not having any issue's with the sm57 for what you did seemed to be working good enough from that video(?)

Your Scarlett is fine it's just that a 57 needs a fair amount of gain on a quieter source. Your Scarlett's mic pre has a max of 56db on the mic pres. A lot of dynamic mics need 65db or better on a quieter source, like an acoustic guitar or a soft voice.
A lot of folks use these for dynamic mics as well as ribbon mics ...
https://www.cloudmicrophones.com/cloudlifter-cl-1
https://royerlabs.com/dbooster/
https://soyuzmicrophones.com/launcher

Phantom power won't hurt your 57 but it also won't help the gain too much.

Acoustic instruments are usually best served by condenser mics.
There are a ton of good and inexpensive offerings from many manufacturers.
Audio-Technica is a great place to start. The AT2020 is less than $100 US and is actually pretty decent.
MXL 990 is another one.
Rode NT-1 is a little more expensive but a long time popular favorite.

This post has been edited by klasaine: Jan 9 2021, 12:27 AM

Thanks for your help folks

jstcrsn I was worried it would damage the mic but as Ken said, it won't bit won't do much either.

That AT 2020 gets a lot of good reviews but I need to weigh up how much acoustic recording I do.

Any thoughts on the second question at the bottom of the list? I realise I should have put it in a dedicated thread, ooops

Cheers

Yes line/inst. won't matter with xlr. You did well connecting everything xlr.

Klasaine's suggestions have been go-to's for many years. I have the most experience with the nt1 and to my knowledge is still the most efficient mic. in its category, meaning would want a bit less gain and is less noisy.

I don't find it too different sounding from the more expensive rode mic.s, if I had to say anything bad about it would is can a bit harsh/trebly on the top end but thats more apparent on vocal than guitar.

This post has been edited by Mertay: Jan 9 2021, 01:45 PM

Thanks, glad I went the right way going xlr

sorry if it has been said already, have you tried moving it closer to the sound hole and pointing it ( unidirectional mic ) at it too

Yeah, in that video it's actually one to two inches away but nearer the 12th fret, I know it looks further away but it isn't. I read somewhere not to point at the sound hole as it can get muddy, not tried it though.

Thanks