PC/Mixer Setup Trouble

[Ruro Jiruries]

Heya folks, I'm having a bit of trouble setting up a Mixer with my PC, dunno if you can shed some light >_>

I purchased a Stereo Mixer; 4 Inputs and 1 Output (Totalling Ten 6.35mm Jack Sockets, each socket is Mono).

Now, I have Two lots of Stereo 3.5mm Jack Plug to Twin 6.35mm Jack Plugs. One is from the Stereo Out on my PC Sound Card into a Mixer Input, and the other Lead is going from the Mixer Output to the Mic-In on the PC Sound Card.

Finally, I have my Headsets Mic going to a second Mixer Input. It's probably worth nothing, the Mic Plug is a Stereo one, and I'm currently using a Mono-Mono Adapter to get it into the 6.35mm Mixer socket.

With all of this, I hope to play with the sound levels of the PC's Volume and my Microphone volume separately.

But this setup does not work, for reasons unknown to me.

By recording from the Mic source (Selecting it in the Windows Recording Mixer panel), I should only capture what I set the Physical Mixer Device to output. Successfully, the PC's Line-Out sound comes through, hence anything I play in Winamp or when I'm Gaming, the sound comes through and I can manipulate it's sound level. But the Microphone doesn't work at all. I'm wondering do I need a Pre-amp of some kind? The Mixer is powered, but punching the volume up high on the Mic input gives me nothing - trust me, Goldwave Sound Editor is getting nothing through on my Mic.

... Thus, I can only assume... I need both my Mic Channels (Refer to the section in red text) for whatever reason, plugged into both the Mixers Sockets? In this instance, with my current adapter, I'm only getting the Left channel on my Microphone, and not the right. Perhaps the Right channel is the only one dealing with my Voice input? I'm surprised the Mono Microphone has a Stereo plug as it is, to be honest O_o

I would just go out and buy an Adapter to test this, but the place I'm getting the stuff from - I work there - and I know we don't have such an adapter. Either I'll be attempting some Soldering for the first time (lol), or buying 2 Adapters just to get my Stereo Mic plug into Two 6.35mm Mono Sockets O_o

Thanks for your assistance on this complex matter. It's not complicated in reality, it's just hard to explain in the detail required without having lots of information - "A picture is worth a thousand words", if you will, heh.

EDIT: I knew it, there is a second issue *Slaps head* Although the Mixer outputs into the Mic Socket okay, it's simultaneously gonna come back through on the Line-Out back into the Mixer. Thus it will cycle everything that plays... recording the result, it is... not as pristine as I would hope. Can I proceed to smash my head through my monitor yet? -_-

God damnit, I knew a Boundary Mich would have been simpler, I knew it, why did I choose this option, WHY!? There is no way to do this - or there is, but it's ridiculous complicated. To prevent this Cycle, I would need a separate device to record the Audio, so I don't punch it back through the same Sound Card. Which then means I'll have the further added job of Splicing the Video & Audio together afterwards, and synchronizing it together. A Boundary Mich would blow this problem out the water, I would just record what's coming out the Speaker and what I'm saying... and just turn down the Speakers as required.

Yeah, alright, if anyone can salvage this original Mixer idea, please be my guest, otherwise I'm screwed. I'll just have to return the cables and swap for a Boundary Mich otherwise.

[Soopafresh]

I'm wondering do I need a Pre-amp of some kind?

Possibly, or it might need "48V Phantom Power" . I'd have to know more about the mixer to tell you.

Yeah, alright, if anyone can salvage this original Mixer idea, please be my guest, otherwise I'm screwed. I'll just have to return the cables and swap for a Boundary Mich otherwise.


Be easy on yourself. We're all human. Diagram it all down on paper, it'll make it easier for you to think through.

[Ruro Jiruries]

Possibly, or it might need "48V Phantom Power".

It's a Gamers Headset, intended for the PC, which would usually be plugged into the Mic Socket (Of which is presumably designed to boost the minute signal that's sent to it). Even in this scenario, if the Mic-Socket doesn't deal with it, I can boost it on my Mixer, since it's powered via Battery (or Mains Adapter).

I'd have to know more about the mixer to tell you.

Maplin Product: Stereo 4-Channel Mixer - This is the unit I'm using. After just discovering the LED indicates Clipping, I proceeded to lower the volume of the Stereo input so they don't flash. Still the result is bad, it starts off fine, then quickly the Sound goes all wrong, I will provide a sample. The fact it sounds fine for 1-2 seconds, I don't believe it's the Signal Recycling issue, simply because I believe that would occur instantly. The first Millisecond a sound is pumped out, it will be recycled through the mixer, unless it's the Sound Card taking delayed approaches to counter the bizarre signal it's getting? I wonder if any of this is making sense >_<

Be easy on yourself. We're all human. Diagram it all down on paper, it'll make it easier for you to think through.

I already did a diagram to start with, as it started getting complicated! Ignore (1) and (7), the 2.0 Speaker System and the Music Keyboard, that was just for my own reference, those items won't be utilized.

You know what, forget it, why I am even bothering to pursue this problem is beyond me. It's flawed, and it will not work. Why have £30 of equipment to perform the same job as a £10 Microphone, particularly when the latter won't give me this god damn problem of Recycled sound from the PC, or at least, not to this degree of terrible quality. You wanna know what the best part is? I can't return Disco & DJ equipment to my store, oh my bluddy LOL, I'm stuck with the mixer.

[Richard_G]

Your mono mic has a stereo plug because it is a condensor type that needs power on the ring of the stereo jack plug (usually 5v). The tip is audio out, the ring is power and the sleeve is ground so, although it looks the same as a stereo plug, it isn't used as one. You won't be able to use a mic intended for use on a pc through a mixer as they are designed for proper microphones.

Why have you connected the line level out of your mixer to the mic in on your computer? The stereo output from your mixer should be connected to the Line In on your computer. This is a stereo input and is also expecting to see the same level and impedance as the Line Output of the mixer. This will probably explain the poor quality sound, the levels and impedances are completely wrong. I would also have expected you to only get a mono output as the Mic socket on the pc will be mono although the soudcard may well split the signal over both channels as mics are normally mono anyway.

However, this have confirmed one thing to me. You have now proved conclusively that the staff at Maplin know bugger all about what they are selling (however, it was in Maplin where I asked the assistant for a satnav that covered all of Europe and was offered one that covered UK and Eire because Eire is just another way of spelling Europe.....)!

[Richard_G]

I've just looked at your diagram again and one thought has struck me. Why are you using a mixer in the first place, what do you think you are trying to achieve? You want to record the output from your sound card and mic but with the ability to alter the relative levels. You can do that in Windows mixer! In the Recording view, set the record source as Stereo mix and then adjust the relative levels using the Playback view.

[Ruro Jiruries]

Your mono mic has a stereo plug because it is a condensor type that needs power on the ring of the stereo jack plug (usually 5v). The tip is audio out, the ring is power and the sleeve is ground so, although it looks the same as a stereo plug, it isn't used as one. You won't be able to use a mic intended for use on a pc through a mixer as they are designed for proper microphones.

Why have you connected the line level out of your mixer to the mic in on your computer? The stereo output from your mixer should be connected to the Line In on your computer. This is a stereo input and is also expecting to see the same level and impedance as the Line Output of the mixer. This will probably explain the poor quality sound, the levels and impedances are completely wrong. I would also have expected you to only get a mono output as the Mic socket on the pc will be mono although the soudcard may well split the signal over both channels as mics are normally mono anyway.

However, this have confirmed one thing to me. You have now proved conclusively that the staff at Maplin know bugger all about what they are selling (however, it was in Maplin where I asked the assistant for a satnav that covered all of Europe and was offered one that covered UK and Eire because Eire is just another way of spelling Europe.....)!

Disco & DJ equipment is not my specialty, I'm sorry I don't know everything about every facet of what we sell. There are plenty of knowledgeable people in our stores, I'm dabbling in an area where I'm not so good - if this were in store, I would seek advice from fellow colleagues, or our Store Technical support line (The last thing I would want is customers walking away with goods that aren't suitable, let alone un-returnable). Finally, I'm sorry, but it's my opinion that one person failing in one aspect of something he does, doesn't shun the entire company he works for either. I don't think I've said anything unreasonable just now, so I hope this doesn't turn into a flame-a-thon, and that it ends here.

And I would prefer the Thread ends here as well. Thanks for your assistance though folks, you have been very helpful.

I've just looked at your diagram again and one thought has struck me. Why are you using a mixer in the first place, what do you think you are trying to achieve? You want to record the output from your sound card and mic but with the ability to alter the relative levels. You can do that in Windows mixer! In the Recording view, set the record source as Stereo mix and then adjust the relative levels using the Playback view.

Squeezed that in before I posted; I was originally doing this, but unfortunately to get the Mic Audio loud enough, I am forced to use an Advanced option in the mixer panel, "Microphone Boost", which results in terrible Buzzing, which as I've been made aware of is likely due to having a low-end sound card (An onboard one in fact). Regardless, I have realised this is a terrible setup, as previously stated, I was gonna roll with a Boundary Microphone, and lower the Speaker volume... cheaper, and probably lend a reasonable enough result for what I want it for. Far simpler at any rate, one piece of equipment, for the same job!

[Richard_G]

Sorry, it looks like I hit a nerve there. I was trying to be helpful and explained why your system wouldn't work as you had it configured. I merely added a comment that was based on my own experience (and you will find a similar situation in the likes of Comet, Dixons, Currys not only Maplin). As you say, you cannot be expected to know about every range of equipment you sell but surely it would have been simpler to ask one of your colleagues that does specialise in that equipment?

Most onboard sound cards these days are pretty good, at least as good as previous generation add on boards, and some are extremely good. The Microphone Boost is there so you can use a low output mic such as a condenser type but you shouldn't get a buzzing when using it. This may be down to a problem with the mic itself, poor screening on one of the audio cables or an earth loop problem. Try disconnecting the speakers and everything else so you only have the mic connected to the soundcard and see if the buzzing still exists. This will show you if it is the mic that is faulty or if it is something else that is causing the problem. Go through everything logically, adding one thing at a time until you find at what stage the buzzing starts.

[Ruro Jiruries]

Sorry, it looks like I hit a nerve there.

I'm sorry as well -_- The biggest irony of me working in a Retail store, is I'm sensitive to Social interactions which ends up with people being aggressive towards me (And I obviously misinterpreted your tone in the post! Sorry!). Fortunately, in my 2 years there, I very seldom have such customers ^_^;; Again, I apologise, I went overboard somewhat. What you mention though, is some pretty base knowledge for Setting up Mixers/Mics/Amps, and it's about time I studied it for the benefit of the customers I serve, and for myself.

I was trying to be helpful and explained why your system wouldn't work as you had it configured.

And I thank you ^_^;;

I merely added a comment that was based on my own experience (and you will find a similar situation in the likes of Comet, Dixons, Currys not only Maplin).

I'm amazed you didn't mention PC world there ^^ We hear stories of employee's struggling to match and sell DIMM Memory to that of existing Modules in customers PC's! But I don't want to bash them, I also hear of success stories.

As you say, you cannot be expected to know about every range of equipment you sell but surely it would have been simpler to ask one of your colleagues that does specialise in that equipment?

A combination of he wasn't online, and explaining the details of this in MSN is... difficult, for me. Maybe I'm overboard again, but I had to write an Essay in my first post to ensure some level of clarity, hehe.

Most onboard sound cards these days are pretty good, at least as good as previous generation add on boards, and some are extremely good. The Microphone Boost is there so you can use a low output mic such as a condenser type but you shouldn't get a buzzing when using it. This may be down to a problem with the mic itself, poor screening on one of the audio cables or an earth loop problem. Try disconnecting the speakers and everything else so you only have the mic connected to the soundcard and see if the buzzing still exists. This will show you if it is the mic that is faulty or if it is something else that is causing the problem. Go through everything logically, adding one thing at a time until you find at what stage the buzzing starts.

That was very clear and informative, thanks very much Richard, I'll take that approach I'm a bit knackered atm, still need to eat dinner, but might still look into this later in the evening. (And I hope it's not a problem the headset/mic, it's a fairly new £40 Creative Gamers headset!)

[Richard_G]

I merely added a comment that was based on my own experience (and you will find a similar situation in the likes of Comet, Dixons, Currys not only Maplin).

I'm amazed you didn't mention PC world there ^^ We hear stories of employee's struggling to match and sell DIMM Memory to that of existing Modules in customers PC's! But I don't want to bash them, I also hear of success stories.

I was going to but figured that as they are part of the Currys, Dixons chain, anyone working for them might feel they were being victimised!