Beginner advice for preamp or interface

[bjornm]

Hi all

I realize that this is probably the most asked noob question, but anyway I sould greatly appreciate your help. I am looking for advice for a beginner home studio recorder.

Primarily I need advice for a vocal + guitar scenario and have some questions regarding preamp vs. interface

1. Do I need an interface or is a preamp sufficient? As I understand it an interface is basically a preamp + soundcard combined, where the soundcard is tailored for music production. Is this correct? What would the difference be in practical terms?

2. What kind of product can be recommended? Preferred specs
* 2 channels
* Phantom power for condenser mic
* USB, preferrably Mac and PC copmpatible


I really would appreciate your help!

 

[Bguzaldo]

Look at the Presonus Firebox. And if your looking for a preamp to RECORD thru, your a wet match in a dark cave. Most if not all preamps ive come across don't do the actually recording, they just increase gain to a useable level. an interface is most likely what your looking for, preamps don't connect to computers. But yeah check out the firebox.

Hope that helps,
-Barrett

 

[TimOBrien]

Good guide and 'you cant go wrong with any of these' suggestions:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_and_audio_interfaces.htm

(You will want to bookmark and read through ALL of Tweak's Guide...)

While I'm here:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

 

[DrJosh]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I think the Presonus Audiobox will do everything you need for $150. USB, two pres w/ phantom power, AD conversion, nice construction.