re20 with PreSonus Firbox...low levels

[vegas]

hello,

the mic audio being recorded into cool edit pro is low.

with the mic gain all the way up the levels are decent, but i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

i know i can bump up the audio in cool edit, but i would like to get normal levels when recording with the mic.

could it just be that the firbox is better for condenser mics?
im thinking about taking back the re20 and getting the shure ksm27...again.

[Dugz Ink]

I don't remember the RE20 needing a ton of gain... it seemed "normal" to me, but it's been a few years. Have you tried plugging in any other mics? Is the RE20 new or used? How far are you from the RE20 when you talk/sing?

[m_morrise]

i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

The preamps on the Firebox are only +45 dB...you're going to need all of that to get a dynamic mic like the RE20 to a decent level.

[Blue Bear Sound]

The RE20 does need a good amount of preamp gain - almost like (but not as bad as) a ribbon.... paired with a good preamp, I absolutely LOVE this mic - it's a first reach for many different things.

[vegas]

I don't remember the RE20 needing a ton of gain... it seemed "normal" to me, but it's been a few years. Have you tried plugging in any other mics? Is the RE20 new or used? How far are you from the RE20 when you talk/sing?

its new.
i've been right on it.

no, i dont have any other mics...i took back the ksm27 to get the re20.

[vegas]

i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

The preamps on the Firebox are only +45 dB...you're going to need all of that to get a dynamic mic like the RE20 to a decent level.

i you were me and you were doing vocing and radio stuff, would take the re20 back and use a ksm27?

well, doesnt have to be these models, but would YOU use a dynamic or a condenser for my applications?

TIA

[vegas]

The RE20 does need a good amount of preamp gain - almost like (but not as bad as) a ribbon.... paired with a good preamp, I absolutely LOVE this mic - it's a first reach for many different things.

what about you?

would YOU use a dynamic or condenser (with the firebox) for voicing (mainly) and some radio prduction?

well, even if you didnt use the firebox what would YOU use?

TIA

[vegas]

alright, after reading this: http://studio-central.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33166

i know how the Pros feel, but if my firebox isnt enough amp for my re20 than i might take it back for the ksm27. i dont really have the budget for another mic pre right now.

[Blue Bear Sound]

The RE20 does need a good amount of preamp gain - almost like (but not as bad as) a ribbon.... paired with a good preamp, I absolutely LOVE this mic - it's a first reach for many different things.

what about you?

would YOU use a dynamic or condenser (with the firebox) for voicing (mainly) and some radio prduction?

well, even if you didnt use the firebox what would YOU use?

TIA

The RE20 is a standard mic used in voice and broadcasting all over the world, so that one IS the right choice. But you need a good pre for it as we've already explained.

A condenser on voice-over projects usually comes out too spitty and sibilant to be useful, which is one of the reasons the RE20 shines for VO - it has a smooth and warm top-end that doesn't accentuate sibilance like condensers would.

[Dugz Ink]

I didn't remember the RE20 needing that much gain, but I guess my memory is fading from old age and/or my wild youth. *SIGH* Regardless, the RE20 is THE mic that I would use for voice work, and the only condenser I would consider in it's place would be an AKG C414... which is about $900. (I chose a C414 over a U87 for VO at one studio.)

Even for singing, I would be hard pressed to swap an RE20 for a KSM-___.

Unless this is for live work, record at 24-bit and boost the levels with software.

[m_morrise]

i you were me and you were doing vocing and radio stuff, would take the re20 back and use a ksm27?

Nope, I'd keep the RE20 and get a preamp that's worthy of it.

well, doesnt have to be these models, but would YOU use a dynamic or a condenser for my applications?

Dynamic. Blue Bear explained the details.

[vegas]

alright fellas, thanks for the help with my indecision.

now back to my low level problem. now it has me feeling like i need to take back the Firebox!!

its like i cant get it right!!

so, do i just turn the gain all the way up and if i need to bump up the levels in cool edit, or take back the firebox?

setting up this studio had been more of a headache than i get from my 2 year old.

[MASSIVE Mastering]

Well, let's clarify what "too low" means here - If you can keep the "meat" of the signal above -20dBFS, that's plenty hot.

Other than that (sorry if it was already mentioned) just make sure that there isn't something attenuating the signal after the preamp.

[m_morrise]

so, do i just turn the gain all the way up and if i need to bump up the levels in cool edit, or take back the firebox?

You'll need an interface with your computer, so taking back the Firebox may not be the answer.

The problem is the preamps on the Firebox. They only have +45 dB of gain, which is not enough to get a clean signal from the RE20 (budget pres are usually quite noisy at their limit as well).

The best solution is to buy another preamp that will give you more gain. The main question is, do you have any budget left for a preamp? If so, how much?

[Blue Bear Sound]

setting up this studio had been more of a headache than i get from my 2 year old.

[Dugz Ink]

Oh great... now Bruce has an "Easy" button to play with...

[vegas]

haha...yea easy button...forget an easy button for the studio, give me an easy button for my kid. haha


matt, i guess i could use about $200...maybe 300, what are your suggestions?

[vegas]

Well, let's clarify what "too low" means here - If you can keep the "meat" of the signal above -20dBFS, that's plenty hot.

Other than that (sorry if it was already mentioned) just make sure that there isn't something attenuating the signal after the preamp.

well, im not sure if the levels are above -20bfs...sorry im still a newb...how do i tell? is that the "smpl" in the "edit view" in cool edit? 0-30000?

what i do know is that i turn the gain on the firebox all the way up, i turn the +12db input level boost on the firebox control panel, and i still have get right up on the mic.

[Pg]

haha...yea easy button...forget an easy button for the studio, give me an easy button for my kid. haha


matt, i guess i could use about $200...maybe 300, what are your suggestions?

Save to $500 and get either an FMR RNP or a grace 101?

[vegas]

yea, ive remember hearing about those.

thanks...im sure i couldnt go wrong with either.

[m_morrise]

In the $200-$300 range, there's not much that will do justice to the RE20...I know it's frustrating.

I think the RNP is +66 dB...that should be plenty. That's my best suggestion.

[Pg]

In the $200-$300 range, there's not much that will do justice to the RE20...I know it's frustrating.

I think the RNP is +66 dB...that should be plenty. That's my best suggestion.

If it's just for one mic, wouldn't the Grace 101 be better? Up to +70db I think.

[vegas]

the grace does look better, but two mics in vs one mic in plus cost...?


i was just testing my setup somemore...and i should be able to get away without having an extra mic pre until i can save up for either one.

but like i said i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

[Blue Bear Sound]

but like i said i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

And like we already said, it's a mic that NEEDS a lot of gain, so yeah... you should!

[vegas]

but like i said i shouldnt have to have the gain all the way up.

And like we already said, it's a mic that NEEDS a lot of gain, so yeah... you should!

easy killer.

i know, what i was saying is that if my setup was setup right than i shouldnt have to...ya know.