recording and playback volume levels too low

Report · Jun 07, 2022

I have looked at the other posts regarding this issue and am still not able to solve low volume levels without adjusting the Loudness meter every time I record or turn the gain up on my PreSonus to 9 where ambiant noise is filtering in.

I am a VO actor and am using a Shure SM7B mic with a Cloudlifter. My interface is PreSonus audiobox USB 96.

Thankyou for your assistance.

Best,

Susan

Report · Jun 08, 2022

How far are you from the mic? Do you have a quiet voice? It's worth noting that the SM7B is designed to be a close-working mic, so it you are trying to use it at what we might call a 'normal' distance of 9-10", then you'll get rather less output from it - resulting in the need to increase the gain. And this inevitably means that you'll pick up more ambient sound as well.

Report · Jun 08, 2022

The most important thing is a good gain structure and a clear signal and once captured it can be adjusted but it is very hard to offer further assistance without an example

Report · Jun 10, 2022

Thank you both for your replies!

I am 2-3 inches away from the mic and off axis to lesson sibilance and plosives. My voice volume is at a 4 on a scale of 1-10 (1 being a whisper, and 10 yelling). I am purposely not projecting to allow an intimate quality that audiobooks prefer. I have attached an MP3 where I am switching the mic performance to bass rolloff, factory default flat line, and presence boost. With this sample I have not adjusted the loudness meter at all. My mic is a Shure SM7B with a Cloudlifter, and using a PreSonus Audiobox USB 96. The gain is set around 8 and not clipping. I don't think I am hearing ambient noise with the gain this high, and I think it is now loud enough in playback for editing purposes. I would love to hear your thoughts and any more suggestions.