I’m recording a 12-string acoustic track on Cubase Elements 13 with a Tascam US-4x4HR Audio interface. I’m using Samson C01 condenser mics and though they’re quite old they should be ok. The recording sounds quite distorted when I am listening through headphones. It may well be the mics are not good enough. The recording is not clipping. I wondered if the attached settings were right for recording acoustic before I go splashing out on a new expensive mic (no idea what to get) Are these settings ok?
Cheers Mike
According to chatGPT: 1. Mic Placement and Gain Staging:
- Double-check the input gain on the Tascam interface. Even if Cubase isn’t showing clipping, distortion could occur at the preamp stage.
- Ensure you’re not placing the mic too close to the soundhole, as this can cause unwanted low-end distortion.
- Buffer Size:
- If you’re hearing playback distortion during recording, it might be caused by a buffer size that’s too small. Check the Tascam control panel and increase the buffer size slightly (e.g., to 512 or 1024 samples) to see if it improves.
- Headphones:
- If the distortion only occurs in headphones, test with another pair to rule out hardware issues or blown drivers.
- Plugins:
- If any effects (compression, EQ, etc.) are active on the input or master channel in Cubase, they could introduce distortion. Try recording dry (no plugins) and see if the issue persists.
Next Steps
- Check the buffer size in the Tascam settings and increase it if necessary.
- Monitor the input gain carefully and aim for levels around -12 dBFS to leave plenty of headroom.
- Test recording without effects or plugins in Cubase to ensure a clean signal.
Many thanks will study your post. 
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