well i have deduced this down to a failed device. seems others are reporting issues with this device as well.
the loopback test was successful, yes. i used the trs line out to the mic/inst line in. i used an rca cable coupled with 1/4" adapters. the test came back perfect.Tell me about your loopback test, that was successful. I presume you used line-out to line-in?
the mic is new (although that doesn't matter). no, i have not tested it anywhere else. yes, the phantom voltage switch is on and the phantom power led is lit. i bypassed the cable and plugged the mic directly in but still get no signal when speaking into it *THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED...PLEASE SEE BELOW*. as far as cables go, i was using xlr-xlr cable but then went to r.shack and got a xlr-1/4" cable. the new cable made no difference. i removed my ecm8000 mic from the equation and plugged in my paa3 spl meter in an attempt to see if its mic would make a difference to no avail.If so, you realize that the loopback (in this case) is not utilizing the mic preamp. So this, or the microphone, or its cable must be at fault. Have you tested the mic anywhere else? Do you have the phantom voltage turned on when using the mic? Have you bypassed the cable and plugged the mic directly into the unit?
yes, phantom power is always turned on. i've placed the gain an every position possible. i never enable padding on.Did you turn on the phantom power using the switch on the back of the Fast Track Pro? ECM8000 requires phantom power to operate. You may also need to adjust the input gain level and make sure the pad is not in.
brucek i apologize for the confusion. originally i started off this project with an ecm8000 mic and a xlr to xlr cable that plugs into my front xlr input. the front input takes in both a xlr and 1/4" connector.I'm completely confused??? What is the xlr-1/4" cable for? The mic uses an XLR to XLR cable and plugs into the XLR input (which is the only input and connector type that supplies the phantom voltage).
brucek excellent deduction. in my ignorance i didn't realize phantom power cannot be supplied by a 1/4" to xlr connection. you are right then. the problem must be the xlr cable a buddy let me borrow which was sitting in a box in a back room. there may be a reason why it was in the back room. i am headed to radio shack now.Well exactly.
So, if you find the mic is fine as a result of plugging it directly into the unit, then the XLR to XLR cable is bad. It's that simple. You can't convert to a 1/4" connector, because 1/4" connection doesn't supply phantom voltage.
Fix or get a new XLR cable. Check it with your multi-meter. If you don't have one - you should.....
brucek