KVR Audio

JMTee_ · Post by **JMTee_** » Thu Mar 02, 2023 4:49 pm

Hi all,
I'm trying to record my guitar amp with Shure SM57 mic into Reaper but having some issues:
Here's my setup:
Amp - Fender Blues Junior 4
Guitar - Fender Strat
Effects - pedal board (overdrives, delay, reverb)
Mic - Shure SM57
Audio Interface - Scarlett 2i2

Issues:
- I have to turn the input level on the Scarlett 2i2 way way up just to get even 30 DB of signal in Reaper
- I'm recording at home so the amp is not very loud, just wondering "how loud" does amp need to be to get a good signal level in Reaper (ie. between 18 to 12 DB)
- Is it bad to have to turn the input level way up on the Scarlett 2i2?
- Anything I'm doing wrong, anything to try to get more signal?
- I've also trying to record a track with a vintage synth running through my pedal board into the amp (the synth is a Suzuki "Omnichord") and have the same problems above with signal, but also some really bad background noise, I'm assuming it might be because it's a really old synth?

Thanks!!
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BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:02 pm

It's normal. Shure mikes like sm57 & sm58 (same cartridge inside) need abt 55 or 60dB gain from the preamp. So put the Fender amp louder as well if you can.

bagpipe200 · Post by **bagpipe200** » Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:27 pm

I had a Scarlett 8I6 and I always had this problem when trying to record via a microphone. I always had to crank the input gain all the way up to get a loud enough signal. This was using both condensor and dynamic mics. I never found a solution to this problem.

I seem to remember a comment on one of the music forums that this problem had been rectified on newer generations of the Scarlett boxes (mine was 1st generation) but I don't know if that's true or not.

I've since replaced that 8I6 with a MOTU interface and no longer have that problem.

JMTee_ · Post by **JMTee_** » Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:45 pm

BertKoor wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:02 pm It's normal. Shure mikes like sm57 & sm58 (same cartridge inside) need abt 55 or 60dB gain from the preamp. So put the Fender amp louder as well if you can.

thanks for the input, do you mean the preamp in the Scarlett 2i2? Or does the mic itself have a preamp?
either way I guess i need to put the amp louder, thanks!

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Fri Mar 03, 2023 8:01 pm

Preamp in the interface. These mikes are passive.

RexXx · Post by **RexXx** » Fri Mar 03, 2023 10:08 pm

You can try to add an inline preamp like TritonAudio FetHead, Klark Teknik Mic Booster CT1, ... which gives you around 25db more gain from a dynamic or passive ribbon mic.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Fri Mar 03, 2023 10:35 pm

SM57 sounds good in front of a loud amp. Most interface preamps will be noisy when pushed hard.

Tips for recording guitar amp with SM57