Buzzing problems. Probably simple solution lol.

[peterhartley]

I'm a complete newbie on the recording scene. Hope you can help.

I've got myself an SM57 & a X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS sound card with the sole intention of recording to the pc. The problem is I'm getting a hell of a lot of buzzing whenever the mic/line in input is active with no mic plugged in, but still a lot of buzzing when my mic is plugged in. I've tried with a seperate preamp & using the card's own built in preamp. The card's supposed to have a very good signal to noise ratio. Does that have anything to do with how much buzzing I should be expecting? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[ssscientist]

That's a game-oriented sound card - it's really not made for even semi-pro audio recording. This would be a much better choice.

The problem you're having is probably the lack of suitable preamping for your microphone. This gets high marks around here and will mate well with the soundcard above.

 

[peterhartley]

Thinking about it I think you're right. It's as if the card is trying to preamp itself and that's where the problem's at. It might be an idea for me to get in touch with Creative, see what they have to say. The card is certainly supposed to handle recording, ok it's a gaming card as well, but it's got three different modes, gaming, audio creation and entertainment, to dish out the chip's power differently.

Anyway, have you any other suggestions of decent preamps? I don't have that much to spend, and am not looking for something top of the line, just something that will do the job.

Cheers.

 

[noisewreck]

The card may have the "modes" but none, I repeat none of the Creative (SB) cards are really made for any serious audio work. The MAudio Audiophile 2496 mentioned in the above post is a vast improvement compared to anything that comes out of Creative (ok, ok, the E-Mu branded stuff notwithstanding).

 

[Erockrazor]

Peter , as for a preamp may i suggest the M-Audio Audio Buddy. I bought mine from guitar center for only 40 dollars so this definitly is a much cheaper preamp. It has two mic inputs and gets the job done for me. Fairly quiet preamp does the trick. Just a suggestion . I feel that its not too much money that you would really regret buying it , its a value. Good luck getting your recording started

 

[peterhartley]

That M-Audio Audio Buddy sounds promising (no pun intended). If you recommend it I'll buy it. It's certainly within my price range. How the hell u managed to find it for 40 bucks I don't know. I live in the uk and the cheapest I can get it for is £55 - equivelent to $95! Probably cheaper having it sent from the US - anyway, thanks for your help everyone.