recording external mic

[KOS]

Just wondering if you can record in cubase from an external mic, and if so how?

Thanks,
KOS1

[Track Rat]

What are you calling an "external mic" ? What's your signal chain now? All mics are external.

[nattn]

If you mean can you plug a mic into your soundcard & record into cubase, the answer is yes.

[toyL]

yes KOS, computer-based recording systems can record from microphones...if you plan to use a sound-card to convert your mic-signal (or pretty much any other signal) to digital, be sure to get one that has quality analog to digital converters...take the time to compare the signal-to-noise ratios among various sound-cards--the higher values here are quieter...if you want to be able to listen to a previously recorded part while recording, get a full-duplex sound-card...there are dozens of ways to get your signal digitized and neatly tucked away onto your hard-drive...you need to study up on the whole computer-based recording process in order to know what hardware and software will suit your needs...soundcards aside, you will find that there are other external devices which can digitize your signals and send them straight to your hard-drive...they aren't exactly cheap, but, they perform quite well and allow you to have more than just one or two inputs, among other things.

[KOS]

Thanks for the reply.
I have an imac, I cant just plug a mic into it and record in Cubase?

[toyL]

your imac probably has a decent sound-card in it...search the computer and learn about it's capabilties--such as the sound-card...you will probably find that your imac hardware is very well suited for processing audio...it probably has the FireWire architecture (data bus) which is designed to allow audio and video to be introduced into the computer very quickly (among other things)...you may decide to take advantage of this fairly new technology because "speed" is critical...for now, look at the back of the computer and familiarize yourself with exactly what can be "plugged-in"...if there are inputs for line-level audio, by all means, plug-in, but make sure that the sound-card will accept the "type" of mic you are using...in the interim, you need to thoroughly learn your imac's "capabilities" and then check out the various options for taking full advantage of the FireWire...