Microphone so quiet?

[BrayBray]

I sing into my microphone, and when I play it back through Session, it's REALLY quiet. Do I just need a better microphone, or is there some way to adjust the volume of the mic recordings? Even when I sing loudly, it's much quieter than my background music.

[AndyH]

Most microphone preamps have a gain control, it is a generally essential part of the circuitry. You believe your preamp’s gain is at maximum?

Different microphones require different preamps. 45dB and 60dB are the two most common maximum circuit gains available. Some microphones are just not very useful with the 45dB gain preamps.

I don’t know Session but, in general, your vocals should be recorded to a separate track, not mixed with anything else. Upon playback, the output level of each track should be independently adjustable, therefore you can make your vocals at any level you want relative to the rest of the music.

[BrayBray]

I'm able to adjust the output level of each track, but the vocals are still far too quiet, even with adjusting.

[AndyH]

Quiet because the levels are too low? See my first post.

Otherwise, you need to apply compression, limiting, and EQ as necessary to get your recording to sound however you want it to sound. Within the limits of how good the recording is to begin with, of course.