Barely Any Volume

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:27 pm

OK, here is one for you.
I've been inspired to try recording again after setting up new PC. Am plugging into M-Audio Fast Track and using Magix Music Studio 10.

I plug in my cheapo Ibanez and am cranking away just fine. I plug in my 360/12 and I can barely get a signal. If I use the EQ and effects I can boost it up but why should I have to?
Is this a known issue (that can be explained to a non-techie like me)? Are RICS famous for having a low signal? (I turned up everything on the guitar all the way.)
Thanks!

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:15 am

What kind of pick-ups are on the Ric ? Also, what is between the guitar and the recorder ? If you are comparing toasters to humbucking pick-ups, for instance, the Ric would certainly be lower, maybe by as much as 50%.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:34 am

I'm sure this isn't it, but you've not mistakenly plugged into the stereo Rick-o-sound jack?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:37 am

What's it like when plugged in to an amp?

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:09 am

1. Nothing between guitar and Fast Track. (Though this weekend I plan on going through a Janglebox to see if that helps.)

2. Toaster PUPs. Fifty percent? Yikes! That might be it.

3. One of my first thoughts also was that I was plugged into the R-o-S jack, but I wasn't.

4. Plugged into an amp, the guitar is fine. Loud and bright as can be.

captsandwich · Post by **captsandwich** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:19 am

There is a little button above the volume dial on my fast-track that seems to change the input range (kind of like a line/mic switch, I guess). Maybe you hit that by mistake? Sometimes when I switch guitars I have to press it twice to get a decent level. Not sure why.
Also, in GarageBand, the default input for new tracks is stereo. Maybe your program is the same way and you forgot to select mono again?

Just throwing out ideas.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:09 am

I went from my 660/12 (LOUD GUITAR!) to my 650 (humbuckers) to my 1997 RI (toasters) last night.

The 1997 toasters were waaaaay lower in volume than the others. Nature of the beast, I assumed. But I use the Jangle box as a boost, and it works fine.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:22 am

An update –

The Janglebox barely helped, if at all. So I decided to go through the Line Out of my Vox amp and it sounded perfect. I know this goes against the theory of sending in a perfectly clean signal and modifying it once it is recorded. But I know what sound I’m after with the RIC 12 so I might as well start with that.

The signal was a little hissy/noisy so I cut it back and did a little adjustment on the EQ and all was well.

Next to figure out is how drum tracks work.

Now, if only I could sing . . .

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:02 am

Postscript -
Turns out that the hiss/buzz was caused by a (cheap/freebie) cable.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:10 am

"I know this goes against the theory of sending in a perfectly clean signal and modifying it once it is recorded"

Mark, I don't understand this comment when used in the context of a guitar. I have never recorded gtr in any other way than to mic up a gtr cabinet/speaker & know many engineers likewise, as this is part of the sound of an electric gtr. What sound are you trying to achieve?

A good point on the cheap cable....

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:34 pm

I have the Fast Track and an iMac. I haven't figured out ANY of the software. I know Sonar and Band in a Box. I looked at Garage Band and didn't see how to record anything live. I will read the tutorial/help. I don't get much of an input with Live either. I set it to mono etc. I know my cables and connections are good because at the same settings, GT PLayer is blasting the speakers out! I downloaded a couple of shareware pgms, Cacophony and Xo Wave to look at.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:09 pm

I'm seeing the same problems with my Fast Track (recording into Session). There just isn't enough gain in that little sucker.

Testing my guitars I'm seeing:
Loudest: humbuckers
Somewhat Less: Rick Hi-gains
Least: Rick Toasters

I'd say that the signal from the toasters is about 2/3 that of the humbuckers.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:42 am

I'm just now getting Sonar set up to work (drivers, settings etc). I too have found that I get a much better signal if I go
GUITAR -> VOX Line Out -> FastTrack. Still, I've had to UP all the volumes and gains within Sonar to get it to an acceptable level.

(I've unplugged the Vox speaker in deference to my neighbor. Now I'm quiet as a mouse)

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Barely Any Volume

Barely Any Volume

Re: Barely Any Volume

Re: Barely Any Volume