Using XLR Mic in MacOS

[oktay]

Hi,

I am unable to record my XLR Mic’s voice on my MacOS. It only works if I unplug the Main LR XLR cables of my speakers.

I have the following setup:

Adam Audio A7V speakers connected to XLR Main LR output
AXE I/O Audio Interface connected to Ip7 and Ip8 (stereo Link)
Shure SM7dB XLR connected to Ip10 (Vox template, Auto Gain set to 18 dB)
USB cable connected between CQ-12T and MacOS

USB Config on CQ-12T set as:

Source Point: Post Compressor
Sample Rate: 48 kHz
Stream Mode: Stereo

Description

1. I can hear myself through the speakers MainLR if I increase the volume of Mic (Ip10 - Vox) on the PROCESSING screen Vox to Main LR. I guess this proves that there is nothing wrong with the Mic and Speakers.
2. I can see and select CQ-12T as an INPUT and OUTPUT device on MacOS Sound Settings.
3. I can use CQ-12T as an OUTPUT device and hear music coming through Main LR speakers.

The problem is that I am not getting any sound to any app on MacOS from my XLR Mic. It is silent. If I try to increase Mic Ip10 sound then I get a loud loopback from Main LR speakers. I tried Voice Memo, MS Teams, and Zoom apps with no luck.

Oddly it works perfectly if I physically unplug the Main LR XLR cables. Then I can record receive and record my Mic’s voice from any app on MacOS.

Maybe it is because my Vox Ip10 is configured as SENDS TO Main LR as shown on PROCESSING and FADER screens. If so I wonder if there is a way to change it to USB for Vox Ip10. Does anyone have a similar setup? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Oktay

[Keith]

@ESP

Possibly the best way to set this up is by sending the mic channel to another output and then send that output to USB.

Because some apps may want stereo, first stereo link a pair of outputs in the CONFIG / OUTPUTS screen.
Then patch these to the stereo LR output in the USB/SD/BLUETOOTH / USB screen by selecting the outputs from the last drop down box in the channel assignment section.
This will mean the USB input signal on the computer will be anything you send to those outputs, keeping it separate from your LR mix which is going to your speakers.
You can send your microphone channel to those outputs from the SENDS section of Ip10 in the processing screen.
Or select the paired outputs from the ‘Sends to’ menu in the fader screen, then push up the fader for Ip10.

Now you have separate control of signals going to speakers and the computer.

Hope this helps!
Keith.

[oktay]

Wow! It worked perfectly!

Thank you so much for your suggested configuration Keith.
I really appreciate your help and I’m grateful for your support.

Cheers!

PS. I’ve added a picture of my setup below for reference.