condenser mic Condenser Mic Too Loud

[TacticalWookiee]

I'm using an AT2020 mic, xlr cable to Behringer UMC22 pre-amp, USB cable to computer. My headphones are plugged in via 1/4 jack into the UMC22 for PC audio.

 

Phantom power is on. I have to turn the gain all the way down to the lowest it will go and then also turn my Windows mic volume down to 80 to have an acceptable mic volume, otherwise I'm blowing out everyone's eardrums. I've been searching for solutions online, and so far the only thing that might be useful is using a 'Pad button' but neither the mic or pre-amp have one.

 

One interesting thing is that if I press the 'direct monitor' button, the mic audio comes in very quiet. I have to turn the gain up how it should be to hear my mic properly. However then it's very loud on my pc for recording or on call in discord/zoom etc.

 

Do I need a different pre-amp that has a Pad button? Or is there something else I'm doing wrong?

[Ezzy-525]

How far away is it from your mouth when speaking? Also, even just a pop shield can reduce the volume and make the sound less harsh.

[The Flying Sloth]

Is it actually too loud or is the mic picking up your your breathing and distorting?

Is it blowing people away when speaking on Discord or everywhere? as in, in games as well?

If it's far too loud you could always move further away from the microphone but this does seem odd to me in that I've not ever found that interface to provide too much gain or the 2020 to be extremely an hot signal, if the issues are just in Discord, Discord is extremely painful when using audio interfaces and often decides to boost or reduce volume by insane amounts.

[ShearMe]

On 12/1/2021 at 2:01 PM, TacticalWookiee said:

Or is there something else I'm doing wrong?

Have you checked the Sound Control Panel (linked on the right side of Sound Settings) for additional knobs to tweak? Usually I'm telling people to turn on AGC but if it's available you might want it off.