XLR Mic

[Pretzel]

Hello, I have an audio technica ATR 2100 USB mic, and it comes with an XLR output that I would like to use, instead of the USB to the computer, because I have been having small connectivity issues with the USB and I would like to be able to change the mic levels, and I cant do that with the USB. I am not familiar with using audio equipment, and I would like to know what I should use to connect the XLR to the computer and be able to manage the mic levels with that as well (you know with dials) I forgot what this is called and I feel like a dingus.

[Josephdalepi]

Just now, Pretzel said:

Hello, I have an audio technica ATR 2100 USB mic, and it comes with an XLR output that I would like to use, instead of the USB to the computer, because I have been having small connectivity issues with the USB and I would like to be able to change the mic levels, and I cant do that with the USB. I am not familiar with using audio equipment, and I would like to know what I should use to connect the XLR to the computer and be able to manage the mic levels with that as well (you know with dials) I forgot what this is called and I feel like a dingus.

how is it connected to the computer?

try a different, shorter cable, and dont use a usb hub

[Pretzel]

Just now, Josephdalepi said:

how is it connected to the computer?

try a different, shorter cable, and dont use a usb hub

I really just want to be able to move to the XLR for better quality and managing of volume. The USB is plugged directly into my computer, and the issue it has that it gets really quiet for no reason at times.

[Josephdalepi]

Just now, Pretzel said:

I really just want to be able to move to the XLR for better quality and managing of volume. The USB is plugged directly into my computer, and the issue it has that it gets really quiet for no reason at times.

i just like to solve stuff without buying

dont have any recommendations though

sorry

[ZigAudio]

It is unclear whether you have a mixer or audio interface but I'll give you a couple of suggestions that might be able to help you out. 

Firstly, assuming you have a mixer or audio interface (I assume you mean gain pots when you say dials) then you just need a simple XLR cable (male to female) and you are sorted. The dynamic mic you have needs a bit more gain than a condenser would but give it a good shout test and set your gain accordingly.

Second suggestion is assuming you don't have a mixer or interface, you can get a XLR down to 3.5mm jack to go into the microphone port. Whether or not it is able to give it enough power is another thing that I don't really know. The cable would be a XLR female to a 1/4 inch Male jack then an adaptor can do the changeover from 1/4 inch to 3.5mm (headphone plug). This suggestion definitely isn't ideal, slightly stupid and crazy in fact, but something you could do if desperate.

 

Good luck and I hope this is somewhat helpful.

[Philosobyte]

First of all, why can't you control the volume in Windows's Volume Mixer? In case you've never used it, it's in "Recording Devices" when you right click the volume icon on your taskbar at the bottom right. You can double click on your ATR2100 and there should be a tab labeled "Levels" where you can change the recording level. Then you can go into the Advanced tab and uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and uncheck "Enable audio enhancements." 

 

If the connectivity issue you're talking about is the microphone suddenly getting quieter, but not completely silent, then that's not an issue with the connection. That's an issue with either 

1. The recording program you're using (e.g. Skype) is changing the audio level of your microphone automatically. 

2. There's a circuitry malfunction in the microphone. 

 

If 1 is the issue, then that can be solved by going into the program's settings and disable automatic level adjustment. What program are you using? Does this occur when you're recording into a program like Audacity?

 

If 2 is the issue, then that could possibly be solved by using an XLR interface, depending on whether the malfunction is in the A/D chip or elsewhere. 

 

 

[Pretzel]

2 hours ago, Philosobyte said:

First of all, why can't you control the volume in Windows's Volume Mixer? In case you've never used it, it's in "Recording Devices" when you right click the volume icon on your taskbar at the bottom right. You can double click on your ATR2100 and there should be a tab labeled "Levels" where you can change the recording level. Then you can go into the Advanced tab and uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and uncheck "Enable audio enhancements." 

 

If the connectivity issue you're talking about is the microphone suddenly getting quieter, but not completely silent, then that's not an issue with the connection. That's an issue with either 

1. The recording program you're using (e.g. Skype) is changing the audio level of your microphone automatically. 

2. There's a circuitry malfunction in the microphone. 

 

If 1 is the issue, then that can be solved by going into the program's settings and disable automatic level adjustment. What program are you using? Does this occur when you're recording into a program like Audacity?

 

If 2 is the issue, then that could possibly be solved by using an XLR interface, depending on whether the malfunction is in the A/D chip or elsewhere. 

 

 

I know I can change the levels in windows settings but I commonly have an issue when I am skyping friends in a game and my mic becomes quiet and I would like a mixer of some sort (I forgot the word for it while making the post) to be able to change my mic settings with ease. I was more asking for a reccomendation for a mixer.

[Pretzel]

Just now, Pretzel said:

I know I can change the levels in windows settings but I commonly have an issue when I am skyping friends in a game and my mic becomes quiet and I would like a mixer of some sort (I forgot the word for it while making the post) to be able to change my mic settings with ease. I was more asking for a reccomendation for a mixer.

I think the issue is the ladder, which is why I want to go to xlr, and was looking for a mixer, because with recording softwares such as shadowplay i have this issue of sudden silence or being really quiet as well.

[Philosobyte]

10 minutes ago, Pretzel said:

I know I can change the levels in windows settings but I commonly have an issue when I am skyping friends in a game and my mic becomes quiet and I would like a mixer of some sort (I forgot the word for it while making the post) to be able to change my mic settings with ease. I was more asking for a reccomendation for a mixer.

The Mackie Onyx Blackjack is the best interface you'd need for your use case. It has more clean gain than most interfaces/mixers in its price range such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Steinberg UR22. I would recommend the Blackjack over cheaper Behringers for your scenario since the ATR2100 is a dynamic microphone, and dynamic microphones typically need much more gain than condenser microphones. However, if the Blackjack is out of your budget, then any USB Behringer mixer would do.