Troubleshooting Mixer and Audio Interface - Audio Noob Needs Help

[Jorogumo4]

Hello all,

 

I'm a huge noob when it comes to audio and I've been trying to get a better understanding of how it all works. 
I started out by getting a Behringer UMC404HD, I have my microphone plugged into Input 1 and my guitar 1/4" cord plugged into Input 2. Let's ignore Input 3 and 4 for now.

I was satisfied with the quality of the UMC404HD and it does everything I need and everything my future needs have. (Bookshelf speakers on the outputs on the back as well as MIDI for future piano)

However I was unhappy with how QUIET my microphone can be. My microphone is an AT2035 from Audio-Technica. I've tried a lot of things to get it to be louder, however unfortunately I have to crank the gain up. But I don't want to pick up every little thing that happens in my room. So I though maybe I should get a small condenser microphone instead? But I'm not sure. Any advice here would be great.

But what I ended up doing was purchasing a Yamaha MG06 mixer, I figured maybe I can increase the levels from the mixer, then have it go through my audio interface to communicate with the computer, maybe I'm just entirely wrong here but the ONE TIME I got it to actually work, it was WAY QUIETER and if I turned up anything it would instantly start clipping. This is where Input 3 and Input 4 come in play. They plug up to my mixer.

Any advice would be great. How do you properly use a mixer? Am I supposed to use phantom power on both devices for the microphone or only one? Should I just ditch the mixer and get a small condenser microphone? I'm honestly completely lost in this realm ever since trying to tinker with mixers and I can't seem to find any good guide on how to understand the differences, what I need, or what I want. Maybe I'm just not googling the right shit.

 

Thanks in advance fellas.

[Guest]

Just happened to be passing by and saw this thread. Anyway. The AT2035 requires phantom power at up to 52V, hence your issues with the volume. However, I believe that UMC404HD should have phantom power available. You should be able to skip using that Yamaha all together and just use the Behringer kit.

[The Flying Sloth]

Okay, here's your issue, you bought a very sensitive microphone and want it to be loud but not sensitive... You seeing the problem here?

 

If you don't want it picking up background noise your choices are pretty much as follows,

1, get a hardware compressor/limiter and use the mixer as a preamp

2, get a less sensitive mic like a dynamic mic

3, get a more directional mic like a supercardioid condenser (that's what I use)

 

If you're looking for broader info on mic types or recommendations the link in my signature may be of some use to you.

[Jorogumo4]

35 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

If you're looking for broader info on mic types or recommendations the link in my signature may be of some use to you.

Thank Sloth for the great information on your link, this has helped me a lot.

So after reading what you got posted I am thinking of upgrading the AT2035 to the Electro-Voice RE320, alongside the Triton Audio FetHead. Do you think this would be a good combo to go with my Behringer UMC404HD?

[The Flying Sloth]

2 hours ago, Jorogumo4 said:

Thank Sloth for the great information on your link, this has helped me a lot.

So after reading what you got posted I am thinking of upgrading the AT2035 to the Electro-Voice RE320, alongside the Triton Audio FetHead. Do you think this would be a good combo to go with my Behringer UMC404HD?

Personally I would swap the fethead for the Klark Teknik CT1, does the same job for less money, while the ev320 is a very good microphone other microphones to consider are the Aston stealth (for quality) & t bone mb75 (for value).

 

Other options like the rode Podmic are also available, of the three mic categories discussed my knowledge of dynamics is the most limited and watching reviews from people like Podcastage will likely be helpful in informing your choice.

[Jorogumo4]

31 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Aston stealth (for quality)

Would this microphone also help with my background noise issue and sensitivity issue that I have with the AT2035? I really like the look of that one, highly considering. Looking at a few videos on it now.

[The Flying Sloth]

20 hours ago, Jorogumo4 said:

Would this microphone also help with my background noise issue and sensitivity issue that I have with the AT2035? I really like the look of that one, highly considering. Looking at a few videos on it now.

Think of it like an SM7B but with voicing options and that you don't need an inline preamp for, it's dynamic so it should be less sensitive than a LDC like the 2035 but it's active so it's basically got a Fethead built in (uses phantom power).