Audio Interface questions

[P_Dignity]

Hi, I am a newbie!

I use Cubase 5.0 on a mac g4 running OS 9.0.

My recording techniques are laughable, but i manage to get a decent sound. Now, I want to get a GREAT sound.

My last single i used the mic from my powermac 6500 plugged directly into the "mic in" jack. For guitars, I run them through a bass amp and put the "line out" directly into the "mic in" jack.

I know this is clumsy. SO i bought a $99 audio interface to pre-amp everything. But now I got it at home, and i see it's for OS 10.3 or greater. I don't want to mess with my OS!

So I humbly ask you recording wizards . . . what options do I have? Is there an older audio interface that would work with OS 9? Am i even using the right terminology? I need something to boost the signal of my SM57, guitar, bass guitar for recording. I think the guys at sam ash are full of crap. Is there a simpler pre-amp that I could run into the "mic-in" that would improve sound quality? I am wondering, even an old "tuner" or a guitar amp or something I could get cheap; a piece of equipment. I don't need to sound like Jeff Lynne, just want to improve. Sam Ash guys said it was crazy to record into the "mic-in" jack.

Apologies for the ignorance, and thanks in advance for any wisdom y'all can share. A humble musician I remain,

P_Dignity

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Line outputs should always go to line inputs. A line level signal doesn't need the additional amplification a mic input provides.

So outputs from your guitar amp or any external mic preamp should go to the line input.

The main purpose of the audio interface is analog-digital conversion although you do get interfaces with built in mic pres/DI inputs etc.

The guys at Sam Ash are right in that the quality of a-d conversion in your stock soundcard is going to be pretty crummy, especially if you're pushing line level signals into the mic input, a decent soundcard designed for recording will give you noticeably better results.

But if you're really not too bothered about quality then an external mic preamp (or DI box for instruments) into the line input would give you better results.

 

[altiris]

Sam Ash guys said it was crazy to record into the "mic-in" jack.


P_Dignity

well they're right about the that. That port is not good for recording something descent. Its pre-amplified and it has too much noise from your computer itself. You should use the line in if you have one. Also you may consider investing in an audio interface that uses either fire-wire or USB/2. firebox may be a good start. It has a mic in and a preamp. I dont know if you want to shell out around $300 fir this. Or you can look for a preamp with a line out so you can plug it into your line-in of your sound card. that would be the cheaper way. I really dont have a recomendation one of those but someone else might have one.