Buying a USB Pre-Amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dalius
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Dalius

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Hello guys,

I am in need of a USB pre-amp. I was looking at the M-Audio Fast Track USB. It's one channel which is meh and has no phantom power but that's ok cuz I'm not using a phantom-powered mic. I was just wondering if I'd have latency problems recording audio right into Cubase. People have been recommending the US-122 to me, and I've looked at it before, but I'm not sure if I need another soundcard, I just spent $150 on one and I know it's primarily a USB soundcard. Plus, I already have an audio interface built-in to my midi controller, and I heard too many inputs in cubase can cause major lag. anyway, any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Dont get in the trap that most of us do:

You buy this thing because you only have one mic. You than GET another mic that needs Phantom power and then you need a whole new thingy.

Plan ahead if at all possible. I have a midiman 2x2 midi interface, but now my studio is growing and it will end up in the closet, 75$ down the drain. I should have got a 4x4; now I HAVE ro get a 4x4 ( or something different, bigger) and will have no use for this 2x2, I didnt think ahead.
 
but I'm not sure if I need another soundcard, I just spent $150 on one and I know it's primarily a USB soundcard. Plus, I already have an audio interface built-in to my midi controller, and I heard too many inputs in cubase can cause major lag.
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Explain this clearly, what exactly do you have already????

I looked at the fast track, I wouldnt advice it. Nice price but no phantom power sucks. Can you use Firewire? Lots of cool stuff for firewire.
 
My equipment as of now:

Edirol PCR-A30 = MIDI Controller / Audio Interface with MIDI In and Out, Line In

That's pretty much it, other than Cubase SE. Unfortunatly, my computer has no firewire so it looks like USB is my only option :. Any suggestions to something that I won't break my bank over (or something cheap would be even better) but would give me what I need for a beginner?
 
If you are happy with the soundcard you have now, why buy another? Getting a soundcard just for the built in preamps is not a wise choice, imo (as the quality of the preamps that come in most soundcards will not be as good as an external preamp). While I own a Tascam US-122 and think it is a great all-in-one soundcard/preamp/midi/monitoring solution, it sounds like you only need the preamp. In which case, I would recommend buying an external preamp that you can connect to any soundcard, even if you upgrade to another card in the future. Decent single channel preamps under $200 include the Studio Projects VTB1 and the Rane MS-1B. If you need more than one channel, look into the M-Audio DMP3.
 
Dalius said:
That's pretty much it, other than Cubase SE. Unfortunatly, my computer has no firewire so it looks like USB is my only option :\.
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FireWire cards start at $15. That's not an excuse. :D
 
I actually went out to buy a FireWire card today. Now my options have increased, I guess. I've heard things abot PreSonus (I believe that's what its called) and some M-Audio pre-amp. Does anyone have any firewire/usb pre amp stories/experiance?
 
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