: I got confused with your answers. Posting on this board always happens but you have to wait a while sometimes..

: If I were you, I would find a music shop that will take back a product if you don't like it. I would consider you budget and then think about a decent enough mic preamp and maybe a condensor mic. I looked at the Roland mic and it looks okay. Dynamic mic's are great for many things but don't have that clarity and fullness of a Condensor. Maybe worth a look at a Rode Nt1 or Studio Projects C1 with an M-Audio AudioBuddy preamp (two powered mic pre's in a small box, well regarded quality for the price). I suspect the quality from that combination will stand out over your current equipment. Find that shop and check out those tools. They are budget but good quality considering the relatively small amount of money required.

: If you follow my lead and end up with a condensor and a decent preamp, then you will need to consider room acoustics. I know it's not your current problem, but I would consider lots of sheets, duvee's and blankets around the recording area.

: I did some recording in my bedroom recently for a singer songwriter. I used a Rode Nt2 with a relatively budget Focusrite preamp. It's nothing special but might give you an idea of what you could come up with with the above suggested equipment. The tunes aren't mixed yet so there are obvious errors. Listen to 'Same Old Thing' as it's just acoustic and vocal into my G4.. No flashy studios or special room acoustics, just good 'ol plain blankets and rugs.. (Correction, I used a AKG451eb as well on some of it.. Nice mic.. ;0)

: http://homepage.mac.com/stephenrussell

: It's Mp3 as well so don't hold your breath...

:
: Rimmer

I can not recall a better, more thorough forum-post-help than what Sir Rimmer Stephen Russell has bestow so graciously. Gush ...
Hit-Squad forum god ... Sir Rimmer

: It's a shame that you didn't give the name of the dynamic mic as it could have as much to do with that as the volume that you are playing your instruments at.
< It is a Roland DR-20 IMP.330 Hyper Caroid. Yea or nay?

: There are a few variables here and due to the fact that I would have to be there to give a final opinion, I can only suggest things.

: I would insert an external CD player into the audio canvas and see what level you get for a standard line level. If the level is acceptable to Cool Edit, I would consider that your mic and preamplification could be the problem. Some mic's don't have a very high output and when you putting them in front of instruments that are way below their top most dynamic ability, they might not work so well.. Acoustic guitar and flute are best recorded with a condensor mic for starters. I have recorded them with dynamics and it has to be a good dynamic with a decent pre to get a decent result.
>... will try that ...
: Assuming your budget is small, I would consider an M-Audio AudioBuddy preamp (cheap but well respected) and maybe a Behringer ECM8000 (well respected but cheap omni mic). The mic isn't the best thing for the job. I haven't even used one but I have heard many people raving about them comparetive to their price. Give them a go and see what results you get. If you want to move up the ladder a little, start looking at mic's like the RodeNt1 which will definately give a good result.
> I thought I'd researched mics well enough...
: I say again, without being there it's hard to be sure. Try the line level instrument and see if you get a good level first. The rest is all your own choice...
> right you are ...
: Rimmer (Ri' Im' Er')

> Thank you very much. Excellent!

: What are you recording through the Audio Canvas?

Flute, Classical Giutar with a 'dynamic mic'

< : The level of that signal might be the problem... Don't go amplifing input signals unless you
know exactly what your doing.
< Maybe you need some preamplification in the form of a proper Mic preamp,

What would be the right mic preamp?
< instrument preamp.. Depends on what you source signal
is..

By 'source signal' do you mean instrument?

: Rimmer

I think this is something that only Audiogalaxy can sort out, since nobody here can do much about password/log-on problems.

Lister