Weird recording problem
 

For some reason, I can't seem to get my Apogee Duet to record any of my 4 SDCs, a pair of Gefell M300s and a pair of Studio Projects C4. I don't have any problems with my LDC (Rode NTK) and it works on either of the Apogee input cables.

I've switched mic cables and even got a new one and they all work with the LDC, just not the SDCs. It doesn't appear to be an interface problem since the LDC works perfectly. I've already exited out of Garageband, turned the iMac off and back on etc.

Do mics ever give out without any physical trauma? But all 4 of them? Maybe it's a sign that I need to pick up another hobby.

is the phantom power on ?

Try this... get the Rode working. Then just swap mics without turning anything on or off (just lower the volume to avoid any popping). Don't change cables, don't change where you're plugging it in. Just pull the Rode from the end of the cable and connect one of the other mics.

Excellent advice.

The Rode NTK has it's own power supply unit. As mentioned phantom power probably off thus the other mikes are not powered up.

Ahhh... great observation. That's very likely the issue. Never having owned one, I didn't know that about the Rode.

ya I've had the same problem myself, resolved by simply turning on the phantom power switch.

Dang, how did I not check phantom power? Will check when I get home later today. Thank you everyone.

Well, I almost gave up when I turned on phantom power but still nothing. I don't exactly know what I did but after messing around with Garageband a little longer, the whole thing turned back on. Whew! Maybe there's a ghost (phantom?) in my machine?

Thank you very much gentlemen for all your help.

It usually takes up to several seconds before mics stabilize under phantom power and a bit more time for some DAWs to get the message that there's an active input signal.

Makes sense. Thank you.

Yes gremlins haunt the digital ether and pop in and out of the situation rather capriciously

What can’t they make me sound like James Taylor?