Decisions... decisions...

[macros4]

Would it be more prudent of me to purchase a better LD mic or to upgrade from 16 bit to 24 bit soundcard? If i don't buy the soundcard I can afford an NT1000, if i do i would get either an Oktava 219 or a CAD m33
I am planning on using this for classical/operatic vocals (high bari/tenor) and sometimes as a room mic for classical recitals (in addition to the 2 ECM800s and 2 Rode NT3s which i already own) - if you have any similarly priced suggestions that might better suit these purposes, please let me know!

Thanks!
Macros4

 

[Lopp]

Which 16 bit soundcard?

Be that as it may, 16 bits is soooo damn low that you need to switch to a higher resolution.

Your mics are decent/adequate. Your soundcard is not. Go with the new soundcard.

Matt

 

[Downside Studio]

16 bits is soooo damn low that you need to switch to a higher resolution.

To my knowledge 16Bit offers a signal to noise ratio of 96dB. Behringer mics don't . 24bit doesn't make your music sound better. If you can't get it right at 16bit, don't even bother investing in 24bit. My entire studio is setup around the 16bit format (2x Tascam DA88 and 2x Tascam DA38.) My DAT masters are 16bit. So are my cdr masters.

24bit is better than 16bit. But in your case I would invest in mics. A good mic recorded 16bit will rock a less mic recorded in 24bit anytime.

 

[Downside Studio]

BTW, what is a LD mic.

 

[Downside Studio]

Yes that's it. Large Diagram.

uhm, I believe the neumanns and Earthworks aren't ld are they?

 

[CyanJaguar]

THe difference between 16 bits and 24 bits is not small at all.

It also affects everything that you put through it.

 

[Herm]

I will have to agree with going 24 bit. I used my gadgetlabs card for a year at 16
and then switched to 24 and now i wished I had done it at the very biginning.

My ears are half shot but I can sitll hear the differance.

 

[Lopp]

Be that as it may, a 16-bit soundcard implies an ancient card. Thus, you have sub-par A/D converters, a lower frequency sampling rate, etc. A new soundcard will improve on so many aspects along with the resolution that it will result in a drastic improvement in sound quality.

Make sure you do your reseach and get a decent soundcard. A 24-bit Soundblaster is not an option.

 

[Track Rat]

Do what I do. When ever I'm faced with a delema like this (which is OFTEN), I weigh the virtues of both peices of gear, do the research, find the best deal, say fuck it and buy both and figure out how I'm going to make the house payment later, for (in the voice of Scarlett O'Hara) "tomorrow is another day".

 

[Downside Studio]

TrackRat dude, you've got it right. People like you make recording to an art. Keep up the spirit.

 

[tdukex]

The first thing I bought when upgrading my system was a good sound card. I've never been sorry. I like Track Rat's idea, though, get both: Delta Audiophile ($180)http://www.sweetwater.com/store/res...udiophile2496&Criteria=Results&infomode=info, Marshall V67 LD ($150) if you can still find it at that price.

Total $330

 

[Gidge]

comparing the converters on those Tascam units to 16bit soundcard converters are cause enough to be tied up and beat with a Radio Shack mic.....

 

[macros4]

Thanx

TrackRat - i like u'r idea but at only fifteen i'm already devoting all my monetary resources... The audiophile sounds good but (as i need to do this on location) i need something that can attach to my laptop - i was thinking of the quattro (yes, i know, USB bandwith is terrible - i plan to eventually purchase a firewire card and the MOTU 828 when i can afford it) and this is the lowest priced USB card i can find...
w/ regards to the mic - will the m33 handle opera/classical male voice well (or are there other similarly priced mics i should look at)

Thanks!!!
macros4

 

[Gidge]

I think you need to address every link in your signal chain and get some decent quality.....

Marshall MXLv67($149) and Delta Audiophile2496($159).....

and dont forget a decent preamp and cables....

just curious, what 16 bit card do you have now?.....

 

[Gidge]

15? geez, where ya gettin all this $$$ from??.....

anyway, do you have a preamp or is that needed also?....

and what is your exact budget $$$$ for the whole shebang, card,mic,etc.?.....

 

[macros4]

Gidge:

I currently own:
Mackie 1202 VLZ-PRO (that's what i'm using for preamps, but it only has 4 and that will soon become a problem)
The aforementioned mics

and... (this is what needs replacement) whatever sound card is built into my Dell Inspiron laptop (it gets the job done...somewhat...)

My budget is $550 (incl. shipping) and that includes accesories (i.e. stands - i need at least 4, pop filter, and cables) and i still need a vocal mic for an upcoming project w/ choir, piano, and soloist... and i need the sound card... and i need a preamp for the 5th mic... my spending plan was:

Audiosport Quattro - $250 (w/ free shipping - zzounds)
Some inexpensive LD
Audiobuddy preamp - $80 (zzounds)
6 boom stand and bag - $100 (MF)

and i still have to fit in the other accesories - is this even theoretically possible (or should i go rob a bank... :->)
Since its for classical music (upcoming projects - piano recording (semi-final round of a local competition) and the Faure Requiem) it needs to be accurate and clean sounding.

I know... i ask the impossible - but can anybody think of a way to make it possible (i have been agonizing over this for several months now, constantly searching ebay and the various retailers for unbeatable deals... they don't seem to come my way very often)

Thanks again!

 

[Gidge]

great choices so far....

 

[Michael Jones]

Get the sound card. You can upgrade your mics later, and save up big time for your mics, buy really good, quality mics, and you'll have those for years to come.

 

[hokypokynose]

I vote soundcard. What good is a great mic going into a crappy soundcard? It's like storing a Ferrari in a parkway. First build a garage, then put a nice car in it.