1 MacBook, GarageBand, 1 mic and a USB interface!

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intomusic

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Hiya!
I've had a look around the forum to see if my question has been answered but I guess my question is quite specific and yet vague, so I'll ask it here if that's ok.
Up until now I've been using the built-in mic on my MacBook for everything - surprisingly the sound isn't awful ;-) But to get the levels high enough I do have to accept a fair bit of hissing and hum in the background. So now I'd like to move up a bit and record stuff with a proper mic through an interface with a preamp.
I was thinking of the Alesis IO/2. It's not expensive and has Phantom Power and preamps on each input. My current mic is a Shure Prologue dynamic 14L mic. I just read a post where someone said you shouldn't use phantom power with a mic like this. Is that right? If so, what's the cheapest mic I can get that I can use to record both vocals and my acoustic guitar? I know this won't be a perfect set up but do you think the quality will be good enough to sound proffessional-ish? I'm low on funds, you see...:cool: (btw. I use GarageBand to record.)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

intomusic
 
Welcome to the board.

You're not likely to damage a dynamic mic by using phantom power, it just doesn't need it. Phantom power is sent down one of the mic cable pins by the preamp in order to charge condenser/capacitor mic's, which require electricity in order to operate. However, you could use your Shure mic with the Alesis with no problems; just keep the phantom switched off.

Then the question becomes upgrading your mic. Frankly, I would advise that you wait and buy the mic you really like instead of just picking up the cheapest thing on the planet. That said, there are plenty of inexpensive (read; $100 or so) condenser mics on the market that are of decent quality. I might start with the Audio Technica AT2020, MXL 990, or the Sterling ST51. All of these are decent choices on a tight budget.
 
Thanks very much for the reply and advice, Kinetic Sound - if you'd just stopped at explaining Phantom Power to me, I'd have been more than happy!
Actually I was recently bought an ESI UGM96 USB interface (it has a preamp but no phantom power) but even with the preamp switched on, the volume on the track (in GarageBand) had to be full for it to register and even then the vocal was way too low. Do you think my problem was the USB interface or my Shure Prologue mic? Or both? And to further confuse things, do you think that a change of interface is going to make any difference without a new condenser mic?
I guess I might have to go for a mic and the interface :)...
I'll have a look at those mics you suggested.
Anyway, thanks again.

intomusic
 
That sounds like its either a problem setting levels or that the preamp/interface may not have enough gain for your mic. A quick search on your ESI reveals that there is no gain adjustment, just a "+20dB" switch, which means you're not getting much gain from your interface.

Without spending a dime, a simple option may be to check the GarageBand inspector and check the "automatic level control" box (below). Since you don't have variable gain on your preamp/interface, this could be a temporary workaround.

Beyond that, a preamp/interface with more gain could be useful both if you want to continue using your existing mic or if you decide to upgrade to something different. Bear in mind that switching over to a condenser-type mic is a whole new sonic world, but one that will also take getting used to.
 

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Thanks again. Very useful indeed!
Actually, my version of GarageBand is the older version (3) so I haven't got that automatic level control box to tick...but I'm assuming it won't be as good as spending a dime ;-)

Sorry, this is getting long...you checked the gain on my ESI UGM96 - it was just a switch from 0 to 20db. I wonder if you know whether the gain on the Alesis IO/2 is compartively better? From what I've found on the net, it has the same 0/20db gain but has the benefit of Phantom Power for condenser mics. Is that the difference?

(the more I learn the fewer questions I ask:) honestly)

Thanks again for your help!

intomusic
 
I don't have first-hand experience with the Alesis IO/2, but having owned lots of Alesis gear over the years, I can attest that they generally make pretty good stuff. The Alesis does have variable gain built-in, so you should be fine.
 
Thanks for all your answers Kinetic Sound. You've been very helpful indeed:)
 
hey, hope your search is going well. if you need to boost your levels, go into system preferences on your mac, then go to sound, and then raise the volume input of the device you are using (whether it be the built in mic, the line in port, or a usb interface)

oh and i've heard a lot of bad things about the alesis multimix usb and firewire line... so i don't know i/o 2's are any good. I would google it and looks around.

edit: I really good mic is an AT2020, i got mine off a friend for $75, and new they are like $100 new. I use it for guitar, vocals, i've used it on a piano, drums too.
 
Yeah, I would agree with getting the AT2020. It's an excellent mic which I am also currently using for Vocals and Acoustic Guitar. Good luck with your search!
 
aled king - what are you using with the at2020? I just go into a behringer mixer and then my macbook. what's your signal chain ? I'm always looking for ways to improve it's use....

sorry to take over the thread a tiny bit, but perhaps this could help you if you end up getting the at2020 too (haha i'm reaching on that one)
 
Thanks Tojo and Aled King. Oooh, that mic gets some great reviews online! I'll look into that one some more but it does indeed look good for recording vocals and guitar. Thanks!
As for the Alesis IO/2, yeah, I hear you - problems with drivers and low signals etc. I'm going to be heading to the shops on Denmark Steet here in London to get my stuff in the near future and hopefully buying from a shop I'll get the service sometimes lacking when buying online. Even on this forum there's good and bad said of all these USB interfaces so it can be quite overwhelming. I'll probably end up getting something trying it and if it doesn't work effectively, taking it back to the shop directly...there's no 100% perfect interface for around £100 is there? :)
Ah, Tojo, yeah I've pumped up the volume in my midi settings to no avail - i think my current mic is just not sensitive enough and the interace not powerful enough...thanks though.

Thanks again!

intomusic
 
The Alesis FireWire stuff is problematic. It's based on the DICE II chipset.

I'd probably try to steer you towards either an Edirol FA66 or an Echo AudioFire 4 unless you have one of those new MacBooks that doesn't have FireWire.
 
intomusic said:
Ah, Tojo, yeah I've pumped up the volume in my midi settings to no avail - i think my current mic is just not sensitive enough and the interace not powerful enough...thanks though.
Click to expand...

wait what do you mean you've pumped up the volume in my midi settings? check the attached image and let me know if you did the same thing.
 

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dgatwood said:
Edirol FA66 or an Echo AudioFire 4 unless you have one of those new MacBooks that doesn't have FireWire.
Click to expand...

Good units. The Tascam US-122L, US-144, and M-Audio FastTrack are good options as well, if you're stuck with USB.

You also brought a good point about USB vs. FireWire interfaces. I typically lean toward the FireWire models (especially if you're recording more than a few channels at a time) because the transfer rate is higher with less CPU load. That said, if you're recording two tracks at a time, USB will do fine.
 
Tojo, yeah that's the volume level I had 'pumped up'. Cheers for the idea.
Lots to consider guys, thanks!

intomusic
 
yo kinetic sound what interface are you using again? I'm checking out your website right now btw... it looks nice.. you should get ride of the "made on a mac" logo at the bottom though if you don't need it. oh wait... nvm the tascam 1802... (the website indicated that duh.)

and good luck intomusic, whatever you get... let me know i'd be interested to hear how it goes.
 
Thanks for the kind words. I debated with the "Made on Mac" logo, but I'm proud of my platform choices. :D The more I think about it, I probably don't want to offend any potential clients.

A disclaimer on my interface... Yes, I use (and love) the TASCAM FW-1082, although the preamps on that only get used when I'm tracking my jazz group. All of my voice work goes: KSM-27 -analog-> Focusrite / Focusrite ADC -digital S/PDIF-> TASCAM -> FireWire to Mac, Logic, etc. The TASCAM is used mostly as a control surface, with the added bonus of translating the S/PDIF signal.
 
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tojo said:
yo kinetic sound what interface are you using again? I'm checking out your website right now btw... it looks nice.. you should get ride of the "made on a mac" logo at the bottom though if you don't need it. oh wait... nvm the tascam 1802... (the website indicated that duh.)

and good luck intomusic, whatever you get... let me know i'd be interested to hear how it goes.
Click to expand...

I'll be sure to let you guys know what I got - still looking through your replies and doing my research! It's a big old 'home recording' world,eh!

cheers

intomusic
 
tojo said:
aled king - what are you using with the at2020? I just go into a behringer mixer and then my macbook. what's your signal chain ? I'm always looking for ways to improve it's use....
Click to expand...

Hi Tojo.

I'm using an EMU 4040. It's not high end stuff, but has served be very well since it's purchase - Nice clean pre's and converters.

Really want to get a Mac as a designated computer for my music. What DAW are you using?
 
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