Audio Recording Help

[ckbarker16]

Hi all!! I have been having a problem with recording audio for a while now, I've done everything I can think of including contact with Focusrite and Rode and have still had no luck. I'm not the best at this sort of thing anyway and it's driving me crazy, I just want to be able to record my music again : (

When I go to record, the audio is either super quiet and barely gets picked up, or it doesn't record at all.I use a Scarlett solo 3rd gen interface and a Rode NTA-1 mic, recording on Logic on a MacBook Pro. I've tried with different XLR and USB cables, phantom power is always on, I've even sent off my mic for repair and they returned it saying there was no issue. Today I changed from a usb cable with a usbc adapter to a usbc cable and the problem was fixed for about five minutes before the audio cut out again.

This is causing me so much stress and just want it fixed, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

[Drew Stephenson]

Hi ckbarker16, welcome to the forum. Hopefully some of the wise ones here will be able to get you sorted.
To start with though we can try and narrow down where the problem is.

The Scarlett solo has a direct monitor button, this allows you to listen to whatever is being captured by the microphone through the headphones, irrespective of whether the link to the computer is working.
So the first thing is to check whether the mic is consistently picking up sound by listening to the headphones with that button pushed in.

If you're getting the mic sound out of the headphones even when the signal isn't being picked up by the computer then we know the mic side of things is good.

If you're not we can start to narrow things down, and given your initial experiments I'd be tempted to try another USB-C cable as the interface is bus-powered - so if it's not getting enough power from the computer for some reason it won't be able to power the mic properly.

[The Red Bladder]

Gain settings: Make sure the gain settings on your Scarlett Solo interface are properly adjusted.

Phantom power - Although you said that the phantom power is always on, double-check. And as Drew said, use the direct monitor button.

Software settings - Check the input settings in Logic.

USB connection - Is the USB connection between the Scarlett Solo interface and your MacBook Pro secure and functioning properly? Try different USB ports and/or cables.

Audio driver updates - Check if there are any available driver updates for the Scarlett Solo. Installing the latest drivers can sometimes resolve compatibility or performance issues.

Last but by no means least - Try a different interface (beg, steal or better still, borrow!)

[Jimmy B]

Just to add to that list of things to check:
Does the power light on the Focusrite light up?
When you press the phantom power button does it light up?
Turn the input gain setting for that channel to maximum and make a noise. Does the signal level light turn green or red?

I'm wondering if the Macbook Pro is supplying enough current (it should, if it is working properly). Can you borrow another computer to try?

[Hugh Robjohns]

This is causing me so much stress and just want it fixed, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Where are you based? Maybe an experienced local forum member could pop over to help out? These things can be really difficult to diagnose and fix remotely.

[Wonks]

What is the type of port you are connecting to on the Macbook Pro? Thunderbolt 3 or 4, USB C etc?

[The Elf]

This is causing me so much stress and just want it fixed, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Where are you based? Maybe an experienced local forum member could pop over to help out? These things can be really difficult to diagnose and fix remotely.

+1 This type of basic problem is usually a doddle to sort out in person, but trying to do it via a foum can be an endless nightmare of misunderstandings.