Mixers and Preamps

[treetops]

Hi..some more basic questions, thanks to those who answered me last time.

I am gonna buy a sm57 mic, probably second hand (just as a useful pointer what would an average price for one of these in good condition? - on ebay they seem to be going for about 50 pounds [about $90]).

I will be recording electric guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals on to a PC and will use cubase or cooledit or something. Also I guess I will mostly just be recording one track at a time. my soundcard is pretty basic though (Avance Logic..) so will I definiely need a preamp or mixer to boost the mic signal?

What are the benefits and disadvantages ofusing a mixer or a preamp? Just an example as I have seen them mentioned here and they are within my price range, what would the difference be between using a Behringer UB802 mixer or a M-audio Audiobuddy preamp. Do they achieve much the same thing? The UB802 is cheaper and i could mix externally of the PC but is it as good a preamp? and is it particulaly useful to be able to mix outside of the PC?

I'd be very grateful if anone could give me some answers and advice..hope it all makes sense, cheers.

[PapillonIrl]

Originally Posted by treetops

What are the benefits and disadvantages of using a mixer or a preamp?

A mixer has a preamp on very channel, along with eq, insert points, auxillary sends/returns, different routing options etc. A cheap mixer is very useful if:

1: You need a number of preamps to record multiple sources simulteaneously, e.g. a drum kit.

2: You want to insert an outboard device into the signal chain of one or more of the channels, e.g a compressor. Some standalone preamps do have insert points though.

3: You have a soundcard with only two (or one) input, and you want to record alot of sources at the same time, and mix them to a stereo or mono mix to recording device.

4: You need some routing options. E.g. the ability to send different headphone mixes to different performers etc.

5: Volume knob/fader for your monitors !

Originally Posted by treetops

Just an example as I have seen them mentioned here and they are within my price range, what would the difference be between using a Behringer UB802 mixer or a M-audio Audiobuddy preamp. Do they achieve much the same thing?

Because of the difference in cost to supply the extra electronics the Behringer has, the preamps are inferior sounding to the Audiobuddy.

Originally Posted by treetops

The UB802 is cheaper and i could mix externally of the PC but is it as good a preamp?

Nope

Originally Posted by treetops

...and is it particulaly useful to be able to mix outside of the PC?

Not using a Behringer. Stay in the box.



Hope this helps,

Nathan

[pdadda]

Dude, sm57's go for $90 brand new.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUSM57LC

[treetops]

Thanks for your help that was really useful. It seems a preamp is the way forward and maybe if i get into a band and needs to record lots of stuff at once, then i'll look at getting a mixer as well.

I did notice though on the shure website they suggest using a transformer (eg for a PC, a A96F) to boost the signal to the recording device. Will this work as well as the audio buddy preamp? - it is a much cheaper option.

(My PC has a mic in so i might try the mic when i get it by plugging it directly in to this port just to check the levels, but they probably will need boosting i guess)

Also what kind of stand would anyone recommend to set the sm57 up to record from an amp and for vocals - or does it come with one? (that is probably me being a bit too hopeful!).

And cheers, pdadda for that info..most of the uk online music stockists seem to be selling them new for about 80 pounds though, = about $130.

[PapillonIrl]

Buy a 57 second-hand. There's millions around.

You need a new soundcard. You sound like you are using an onboard card or a soundblaster clone. The 'mic in' input has a preamp in it, albeit a shit one.

The 57 does not come with a stand !!!!!!! K+M stands are good.

There's no point in getting a pre to the level of an Audiobuddy until you upgrade your sound card IMO.

Nathan