Delta 44 / Shure SM 57

[scottfisher]

I dont need great sound, but I want decent enough that it dosent sound like a PC mic thats worth 15$.

Recording Devices

Delta 44
M-Audio Mobile Pre USB
or Tascam US122

Microphones

Shure SM 57
Shure SM 58
or Studio Projects B1

I will be recording mostly vocal, and the occasinal acoustic and very rare amp. What would be best? One choice from each category.

 

[PhilGood]

What kind of vocals? It looks to me you're trying to stay in the $100 range for a vocal mic, but you didn't consider the MXL V67G.

I think the Delta 44 is a good card. Much better than the Quattro USB version. Don't go with USB. You'll have all kinds of time stretch problems. Stay PCI if you can. You might want to think about an Emu 0404, which is stereo, but has superb A/D converters for the price.

 

[gordone]

The Delta 44 doesn't have pre-amps so you won't be able to plug a microphone into it. It is a great unit though. Don't have any direct experience with the other units.

 

[bcains]

I dont need great sound, but I want decent enough that it dosent sound like a PC mic thats worth 15$.

Recording Devices

Delta 44
M-Audio Mobile Pre USB
or Tascam US122

Microphones

Shure SM 57
Shure SM 58
or Studio Projects B1

I will be recording mostly vocal, and the occasinal acoustic and very rare amp. What would be best? One choice from each category.

Delta 44 (PCI) or maybe look into the Delta 66.
Preamp: MAudio AudioBuddy (dual) or MAudio DMP3 or SP VTB1

Mics:SP B1
Amazon are doing a deal which is the MXL 990 and 991 for $100. That than gives you two mics for acoustic guitar.

1 mic is do-able, but not really if you do a live take (guitar/vocals at once)

And if you are going to recording amps, i'd get the SM 57. But in your case, save up until you actually need it to record electric.

Good luck.

P.S Gordone, i had a look at your site (studio section) how do the Great River MP2 pres sound?

 

[scottfisher]

It would be pretty loud vocals, using the mics for mostly rock-ish bands. Long, loud, grungy notes.

Also, I dont plan on ever doing live takes in the future. I would record one instrument at a time into Adobe Audition.

Oh, and I heard that a cheap mixer could plug into the Delta, and then the mics into the mixer? How much would a good quality, cheap mixer cost?

Thanks for all the help.

So far, I think I will get:

Studio Projects B1
Delta 44
And some kind of thing to plug mics into.

OH! And what is the difference between the Delta 44 and 66?

EDIT: Ive been reading articles, and apparantly the Studio Projects B1 isnt the best choice for vocals?

 

[drpfeffer]

Hi Scott..

I'm recording thru a delta 66 card, and I must say that it is a great card for the money, it is truly reliable, and has NEVER given me any problems hardware or drivers.. The difference between 44 and 66, is solely that the 66 card has s/pdif connectors for digital connections, i use s/pdif for connecting my v-amp pro to the card, and it sounds better to my ears running the v-amp digitally, but if you have no plans of getting devices that runs s/pdif don't bother paying the extra bucks, buy the 44, you won't be dissapointed.

In my setup I have 2 dedicated pre's in the cheap-ass range, and a yamaha mg 12/4 mixer hooked up to the card, I think that you should consider buying one of the mg mixers for your setup, the preamps are actually fairly decent, and I use the pre's on my mg when I am recording stuff that requires more than 2 amps.
In addition you get a lot of routing possibilities, faders to control your monitor levels out of you computer and blahblahblah..

 

[snow lizard]

It would be pretty loud vocals, using the mics for mostly rock-ish bands. Long, loud, grungy notes.

Also, I dont plan on ever doing live takes in the future. I would record one instrument at a time into Adobe Audition.

Oh, and I heard that a cheap mixer could plug into the Delta, and then the mics into the mixer? How much would a good quality, cheap mixer cost?

Look around for something like a Yamaha MG series mixer to give you an idea. One of the most important things about mic pres is how much useable gain you get out of them. The Studio Projects VTB-1 preamp is supposed to be good that way - I'm not sure how the Yamaha would compare. People also like to recommend the Soundcraft M- series small format mixers.

OH! And what is the difference between the Delta 44 and 66?

Both cards have 4 channels of analog in/out. The 66 adds 2 channels of digital S/PDIF in/out. I have a Delta 44 and I like it.

EDIT: Ive been reading articles, and apparantly the Studio Projects B1 isnt the best choice for vocals?

Vocal mics are a touchy subject. Nothing works the same way on different singers. The B1 is generally said to be an instrument mic, and I think people speak highly of them for recording acoustic guitars. If you have any mic, you can try that on vocals. A lot of people will use dynamic mics for loud rock vocals and electric guitars - maybe an SM 57 on a budget if it suits the vocalist and style of music. The SM 7b is a much better choice, but costs more and they're generally gain-hungry. (goes back to your preamp) There are lots of other choices for nice dynamic mics. (421, 441, RE 20 etc...) Something like a Shure Beta 58 might work if you want a brighter vocal sound than the 57. There's some condenser mics that might work well in a good sounding room. Everything is apt to change if you're recording different vocalists. It might be a good idea to try, rent or borrow a few different mics to see what works best for you. Getting something like a good dynamic mic and a good condenser will help to cover you for a lot of recording jobs.


sl

 

[scottfisher]

Hmm. Do I need a preamp? Also, Im thinking the SM 58 may be a good choice. Its supposedly a good vocal mic, and if you take off the steel top, then it sounds like a 57.

EDIT:

So now, Im looking at:

Delta 44
Shure SM 57 or 58
Studio Projects B1

and a mixer. I dont want a super expenisive one.

Behringer UB802 - 49.99

A shade larger than the UB502, the UB802 features 2 INVISIBLE MIC PREAMPs (IMPs), 6 balanced high-headroom line inputs, 1 post fader FX send per channel for external FX devices and 1 stereo aux return for FX applications or as separate stereo input. There is also an effective, extremely musical 3-band EQ on all channels. The UB802 is well-suited for use with fixed audio and video installations as well as keyboards, samplers and computer application.

Or the Yamaha MG 10/2 - 99.99

If you simply need to mix a few sources to stereo – but insist on the finest audio quality available – the MG10/2 is the way to go. Compact and convenient to use, but won't compromise your signal in any way. With an optional adaptor the MG10/2 can even be mounted on a microphone stand for totally flexible positioning and easy access. For demo and music production, small sound reinforcement applications, or simply as a super utility mixer for any application, you can't lose with this compact performer.

-------

I only need one input, for a mic. If its possible, I would *maybe* want an input for electric guitar, but its not nessacary.

 

[drpfeffer]

Yes you need a preamp.. your microphone is of no use without it, either get a dedicated pre or get a mixer that has inbuilt pre's on each channels..

 

[scottfisher]

Which would be better, in my case? A mixer or dedicated pre?

Would this be a good preamp for the money?

Behringer MIC200 Tube Preamplifier with Modeling -- 59.99

 

[cominginsecond]

Since you're working in Audition, I would say a pre is better. On your budget, get an Audiobuddy.

 

[scottfisher]

For a little extra money, would the Audiobuddy be a better choice than the one I posted above?

 

[drpfeffer]

If you're going to buy a single pre, and solely use one of the 4 mono inputs in the delta 44, i'd say go for an audiophile 2496 soundcard or something like that.. the smart thing with a little mixer is that you have the POSSIBILITY of using more mics if you suddenly get the urge, stereo mic'ing your acoustic, recording drums, recording acoustic and vocal at the same time or whatever..

I don't think that the mic200 is very much better than the pre's in the mg mixer, and i base that on a mic100 that I have used, i don't think that 200 is a lot different, not having heard it though..

 

[scottfisher]

If you're going to buy a single pre, and solely use one of the 4 mono inputs in the delta 44, i'd say go for an audiophile 2496 soundcard or something like that.. the smart thing with a little mixer is that you have the POSSIBILITY of using more mics if you suddenly get the urge, stereo mic'ing your acoustic, recording drums, recording acoustic and vocal at the same time or whatever..

I don't think that the mic200 is very much better than the pre's in the mg mixer, and i base that on a mic100 that I have used, i don't think that 200 is a lot different, not having heard it though..

I didnt really understand what you said? Dont get the Delta, and get the audiophile?

 

[2lim]

What he is saying is that if you are only recording ONE track ata time, then why get a soundcard with FOUR inputs? The audiophile has 2 inputs, and is cheaper. You could then use that extra cash to buy a decent preamp like an audiobuddy.


Simon

PS in your situation with what you want, go with an SM58!

 

[scottfisher]

2lim, the Audiophile and Delta 44 are the same price... whats the difference?