Input levels....

Still interested by this thread... I just recorded vocals and had to adjust the gain knob on full and can barely reach -30db... WTF???

what model preamp/interface? If your preamp is on full and you're registering -30, are you trying to plug your mic into an instrument input? are there any pads engaged on any of the channels on the device? is there any type of input range switching in the devices control panel (my RME has that for certain inputs.)

This is what I'm using: The XLR and 1/4 inputs are combined, and it has phantom power for condenser mics (which I used). It's a pretty straight forward interface, with not much possibilities of range adjustment... Just gain knobs!

*deleted post* *you mention you're using phantom power so my questions were irrelevant*

Another possibility is an incorrect cable? Phantom powered cables are usually XLR cables.These must be wired correctly and use three wires.From end-to-end the wires actually swap contacts but this not an issue if it's a shop bought one as they also usually only attach one way e.g with male and female plugs.

Um, yes, it was an XLR cable, I'm not that newbie... And after checking, yes the mic was on the good side. Next I'll have to try is different cables, mic placement, different room, closer micing, voice technique, use of compression... Still doesn't solves the original poster's problem, though!

Am I wrong to assume that I should hear/see no signal within Repear when the input gain on my interface is set at 0??

Just a long shot, but once I had a track meter showing signal coming in, but I couldn't hear it. I ended up using Reafir to see that it was a small signal above 16k which I cannot hear. Moved some cabling around and it went away. Kinda mysterious though.