Microphone audio super quiet (Rode NT1 & Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen))

[delon]

Hello all,

This is my first post so apologies if this is the wrong place for this!

I bought a Rode NT1 last year along with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) since this was the recommended audio interface on Amazon for this XLR microphone. I've watched over 20 videos and have played around with so many settings (made sure my mic volume was all the way up, tested multiple gain levels, etc.) and nothing seems to fix the issue I'm having.

My mic is extremely quiet. I'm a gamer and use my mic mainly to communicate with friends on Discord, but I also use it during meetings when I work from home. On Discord, everyone I know and even new people I speak to all have to turn my volume up to 200%. I've tried restarting my pc, unplugging and replugging everything back in, etc. I've seen on some threads that the NT1 is notoriously gain-hungry, but my audio interface has phantom power and 48v, so I'm at a loss of how to fix this.

Discord isn't the only place where I'm seeing extremely low volume levels. In the Windows settings, my mic level doesn't even show up. When I record my gaming sessions with my buddies, my voice is always so low in the playback audio while my friends' are at a normal level.

Is there another audio interface that is more powerful that could fix this issue?

 

[rationaltime]

How did you determine the audio interface is the problem?

It is worth checking to eliminate other possible issues.
You already did this. Right?

There is weak sound. So, check the software first. The computer sound
card is not used. Adjust the volume control in the Focusrite Control
software. Make sure that works and is adjusted for maximum.

You are using headphones. You don't want sound from speakers feeding
back to the microphone.

Check the headphones to make sure they are giving good volume.
Plug the headphones into the Focusrite box. Select direct monitor.
Plug a CD player or similar in to the instrument input and adjust
the level to sound normal volume. Make sure the headphones sound
loud enough. OK, headphones are checked.

Next plug the headphones into the Focusrite box. Select direct monitor.
Plug in the Rode mic. Adjust the mic input level and the monitor level.
Is the volume level low in the headphones?

Most dynamic and small diaphragm condenser mics are oriented to
receive on the end or top. Large diaphragm condenser mics receive on
the side, not the top or end. You need to talk into the front side, not the
back. The front is usually marked with a dot or something. Rotate the mic
to hear the difference between front and back of the mic. Is the sound still
low while talking into the front of the mic?

Maybe the cable is bad. There can be one conductor not connected and
phanton power and weak signal still get through. Try a different XLR
cable. Make sure both ends of the cable are latched. Still low signal?

Try a different mic with the focusrite box. If the sound from the
different mic is strong there is something wrong with the Rode mic.
If it is still weak there is probably something wrong with the Focusrite
box. Focusrite has a good reputation. Exchange the box under warranty.

Did you find anything new from this process?

 

[Trell]

I've seen on some threads that the NT1 is notoriously gain-hungry

I’ve the NT1 myself and its fairly sensitive so your Focusrite should have no problems with not enough gain.

@rationaltime gave you some things to try out.

The Xbox game app/bar can adjust the mic gain, if you’re on Windows, so disable that to test. That was messing with the gain settings in Microsoft Teams during meetings for me.

 

[Ricardus]

I have the same interface and various "gain hungry" mics. It works fine.

With very little data I suspect it's not the interface. It's possibly the mic, and we can test that by swapping in another mic. If it's both mics that seems unlikely. So that bring us back to the interface, but I still suspect it's not the interface but possibly user error. So we can swap in another identical interface to test the interface. I don't know if you can borrow another mic or another interface.