Input signal too low

[b@RT]

I've got my first chance at working on a control 24 desk but there was one thing I could solve, hopefully someone can help me with this:

I've been trying to record some vocals with a Neumann U87 (with phantom power from the desk) and an Alesis (with it's own powersupply). The problem is that I have to crank up the gain to three quarters or fully open that get a decent signal in; even then I have too shout to make it clip. I've tried various different mic inputs.

Does anybody know what I'm doing wrong? (which apparently I am...)

[Marcus Acker]

ok, i have been able to get 32 playback and record...I have 3 888/24's and a 882/20 so how do i get these all hooked to my C24. I have the digisnake kit and all...but i'm having problems, when i want 48 tracks it sais i have only 32 voices. I also have a core, farm, and dsp card.

[digi2000]

I am 100% sure you have done this, but did you turn Phantom Power on on the back of the control 24, Just thought I would ask.

[b@RT]

Yes, I switched on phantom power from the back of the desk and the LED on the frontside is on so that should be ok. And for the Alesis I don't even need phantom power, as it has it's own psu.

[steins]

If it's an old U87 (not the new Ai), the output from this mic is a little bit low. Nothing wrong with your setup. I often need to set the gain on my Avalon 737sp to full (or Hi-gain) when using U87's - depending on the source of course.

Stein Tore

[steins]

Also check the pad switch on the mike.

Stein Tore

[digi2000]

In response to Marcus Acker's question about getting 48 inputs into PT through the control 24, here is how I would do it.

First, let's remember the Control 24 is a hardware control surface for PT not an actual Mixer as such. When thinking about the C24 you need to look at it in 3 parts in terms of how to best make connections.
1) control room section
2) mic pre section (16) inputs
3) submixer

OK that said, given that you have so many inputs on your I/O, I would avoid the submixer altogether as you won't need it and it will bog down on your flexibility. Here is how I would go about wiring everything.

Take 2 of your cable kits and wire them from the dSUB outs of the Mic Pre Sections(1-8) and (9-16) of the C24 to the 8 inputs on (2) of your 888's. This will allow you to use all the Mic Pre's on the C24 by simply plugging your nstruments etc into the back of the C24.

you also need to connect your next DSub to 8 outs to your speaker system. I am not in front of mine right now so you will need to hook your speakers configed the way you like. As I recall the first 6 cables go to your 5.1 config and the other 2 go to the alternate pair.

If you have more cable kits. attach 1 of them to the submixer inputs that will leave give you 16 inputs that you can plug directly into synths and the likes if you want to use the submixer that is. Then take the 2 submix outputs and route them to (2) inputs on your 3rd 888. While were on your third 888 and 882 plug your remaining inputs directly into the I/)'s. Remember even if you don't plug anything into the C24 you will still have all the same functionality.
also you can bring your CD players, dat returns into the C24 and thus be able to use the monitor section.

In regards to your only having 32 voices available, I am a little stumped here. Though there are only 32 voices per channel an upto 64 chanels in MIXplus systems. In your I/O setup in PT your I/O's should correspond to the (3) 888s and the 882. giving you a total of 32 inputs. The submixer is simply a submixer that combines eveything on those 16 inputs down to 2 channels.

Hope this help's e-mail me with specifics and we can go over them.

[b@RT]

Pad switch is off and it's a brand new U87 (and Alesis). The thing is that on my DIGI001 I only have the gain up for about one quarter to half open and I get a very good signal while on the C24 it's nearly full open and thus very noisy.

[digi2000]

you could als try bousting it through a software plug in

[Marcus Acker]

Thanks Dave for your help!! great great advice!
In response to the low input signal, u could also use some sort of outboard mic pre, if worse comes to worst.