I recently purchased an AT2020 microphone and connected it using an XLR to HDMI cable to my laptop with a 48V phantom power supply. However, when I try to record in FL Studio, I either get a lot of static and glitches, or the sound is super quiet. I'm wondering if I should look for a different type of adapter cable or if there's something else I need to fix in my setup.
2 Answers
It sounds like your setup might have some issues! First, when using a mic like the AT2020, it’s essential to ensure the XLR to HDMI cable is suitable. HDMI ports on laptops are typically output only, which might explain the problems you're facing. You should ideally be using a standard XLR cable directly to a compatible audio interface instead of HDMI. This could give you a cleaner sound and proper input for recording.
Also, I noticed the blue light on your HDMI cable flickers when you open FL Studio. That’s usually a sign of an improper connection or insufficient power. Make sure your phantom power supply is functioning correctly and that all cables are secure. You may also want to confirm that those HDMI ports on your laptop can actually take input, which is uncommon for most laptops.
I'll definitely check the power supply and connections. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for the tip! So it sounds like I need to get an audio interface that can handle XLR inputs?