ART tube MP to PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter mayerox
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mayerox

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Hi!
I recently bought the ART tube MP preamp. Now I'm a little bit confused. Can you please tell how do I connect it to my PC.
Do I need an XLR converter to USB port or XLR to mic socket at the sound card at the back of my PC? What are the options, there's no USB socket in the preamp Does any1 know what to do next???

PIC:
View attachment 72251

THANKS!!!
 
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hey man, basically the ART MP is purely a "Preamp" which will amplify the signal from the mic (or whatever is plugged into it), but to get it in to the computer you need an analogue to digital convertor (A/D convertor) to turn the amplified mic signal into one the computer can read. there's a couple of options, all of which will vary in quality;

the cheapest/simplest but worst quality - buy an 1/4 inch jack to mini jack and plug it from the "line out" of the ART Mp into the "Line in" on your computer (in this scenario the built in sound card in the computer acts as the A/D convertor)

the next cheapest and results may vary in quality - buy an XLR to USB cable (in this scenario the cable acts as the convertor)

the most expensive but best quality and most options - buy a budget audio interface (there's plenty out there in the £70 to £170 price range) this is basically a separate box that will do a number of things, but most importantly in this case, it acts as a A/D convertor. they also act as a D/A convertor so you can plug headphones and speakers into the audio interface as well that means you can monitor the sound you're recording directly without any delay (latency) as well as playing back any pre-recorded material through the same system to play along to. they also often come with at least one or two pre amps built in as well which opens up your options for recording one or two things at a time on separate channels.

the A/D conversion in built in PC sound cards is not really meant for recording audio. often it's meant to deal with, at most, a headset mic or equivalent for online gaming or skye etc.

any of the above suggestions will work, but as i said, the quality will vary.

also, what software (DAW) are you planning to record into?
 
Take it back and buy an interface - what mic are you plugging into it?
 
MXL v67gs.

Btw thank you so much for loads of informations! I actually started to consider buying the interface box.
I haven't mentioned I am a beginner and your words will help me a lot.
Cheers!
 
Would you please google out at least one of examples affordable examples that I could use? Thanks!!
 
mayerox said:
MXL v67gs.

Btw thank you so much for loads of informations! I actually started to consider buying the interface box.
I haven't mentioned I am a beginner and your words will help me a lot.
Cheers!
Click to expand...

no worries man, i see these kind of questions a lot and may have the made the assumption that you were just starting out :)

there are a lot of interfaces out there, all with their own pro's and con's but all more than capable of getting the job done. the one's seidy suggested are all solid units, and my 2 cents would be to add the Focusrite Safire 6 and the Alesis io2. there are a lot of threads on HR about budget interfaces so i'd suggest having a read through and seeing what you think.

As a couple of extra questions; What PC are you using (i.e basic specs; processor speed, RAM size, and operating system)? What software (DAW) are you planning to record into? what kind of stuff do you want to record?
 
Before buying anything else, please read the threads stocky-ed to the top of this section of the forums - Introduction to Computer Recording and Newbie FAQs.
 
If you plan to buy a XLR converter, you'd better buy the BeachTek (or juicedLink) XLR adapter, cause it has manual audio gain controls that are easy to reach.
 
Alaskaguy said:
If you plan to buy a XLR converter, you'd better buy the BeachTek (or juicedLink) XLR adapter, cause it has manual audio gain controls that are easy to reach.
Click to expand...

:wtf: you talkin' about? The camera things? I suspect sig spam....it's almost on topic, though. hmmmm
 
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