Equipment recommendation

[glennc]

Hello to all,
I'd like to know if there is an inexpensive mixer that will connect to a soundcard line in, yet still be able to upgrade to a dedicated card. Basically looking for a way to input a mike (probably a Shure SM87) for acoustic quitar and vocal. Currently running an old box with Audacity and a 1/4 to mini plug adapter for electric quitar. Will eventually upgrade the computer and put something serious in for recording, but don't want to obsolete anything if I can help it. Thanks for any info.
PS Also wouldn't mind if it had quitar inputs and if it was free with a $1000 rebate.

 

[dgatwood]

Hello to all,
I'd like to know if there is an inexpensive mixer that will connect to a soundcard line in, yet still be able to upgrade to a dedicated card. Basically looking for a way to input a mike (probably a Shure SM87) for acoustic quitar and vocal. Currently running an old box with Audacity and a 1/4 to mini plug adapter for electric quitar. Will eventually upgrade the computer and put something serious in for recording, but don't want to obsolete anything if I can help it. Thanks for any info.
PS Also wouldn't mind if it had quitar inputs and if it was free with a $1000 rebate.

How about a Peavey PV8. $110 for four nice pres. Has channel inserts on all four preamped channels so that if you get a better audio card, you can tap each pre independently.

As for an instrument input... either get an impedance matching transformer and plug it into a mic input (cheap) or a decent direct box (less cheap).

 

[glennc]

Hello dgatwood,
I'm going to expose my ignorance more. Sorry but I don't know what a channel insert is, nor impedance (know what that is ) matching transformer. So far I was thinking of a Behringer Ultragain MIC200. Unsure of the compatablility. Looks like it might have XLR input for the mic, has some preset amp models for quitar/bass and possibly 1/4 outputs. I quess I can use the 1/4 to 1/8 adaptor trick for now. Reviews say that the pre-amp gives better sound, as mine is really bad, along with playing idiosyncracies.
Thank you for your suggestion, I'll look it up. Please give more if you care to, I'm all ears.
Wow that Peavey is impressive and intimidating. Plus it's more than I wish to spend, but it looks like it would definately not be obsoleted.

 

[trabalais]

This is the newbie section, right? There's no such thing as stupid questions! Before I can explain what a channel insert is, I guess I ought explain how a mixer channel operates. Think of the audio as flowing from the input to the output. In between there, you have eq, aux sends, channel inserts, direct outs, etc. The channel insert diverts the flow of audio, usually to an outboard effects unit and returns it via a insert return. You can also use an insert as a direct out by diverting the flow and never returning it. Unfortunately, the channel insert is almost always before the eq and fader so you don't have much control of the signal before it goes to your soundcard. Direct outs are better because they are post fader.
An impedance matching transformer takes a high impedance signal from a guitar cable and changes the impedance to match a low impedance signal like a microphone. If the 1/4 in outs on the Behringer are line level, I don't think you'll have to worry about impedance. I would like to make another suggestion, however. Why don't you consider something that would allow you to bypass your soundcard like a USB or Firewire audio interface? It doesn't give you the option of having the mixer for live work but they're plug and play

Thomas
www.yourhomestudio.com

Free Home Studio Newsletter - signmeupnow@yourhomestudio.com

 

[glennc]

Thank you trabalais,
I was beginning to think my newbie questions weren't going to be noticed at all. Now I understand the reference. I am exceptionally unknowing. Currently have an old 333Mhz Celeron running ME. Not knowing and my pockets are keeping things low cost at the moment. I read on another site that a PCI card would be better than firewire or USB. Have one USB port on my computer. Waiting to hear about that issue. Thought that it would be a waste to get too internal until I upgrade. Also what I buy should be usable with the better system.
Outboard I could use a mixer or the preamp to get better sound for my listening and for recording. Units like the Line6 whatever for $139 say my system is decrepit.
So far I have about $3.00 in my studio. A 1/4 to 1/8 adapter. Using Audacity to record, and a demo of Tunafish for some drum sounds. The other VST's I only play on. Have to use the Tunafish on a better computer and burn the MP3 to a CD for transfer.
Leaning toward the Ultragain MIC200 as it would give me a mike input and some effects that I can hear prior to recording. Sounds like I probably should run that into a mixer. Do you have any experience with something like the Peavey PV8 or the PV6?
I am pretty sure that I'll only be recording me and possibly only listening to me, initially that is!!!

 

[random.hero]

definately good choice with the audacity. Great software... does many great things for free

 

[glennc]

Hello random.hero,
So far the price is right and since I'm just starting I don't know what I'm missing . I wish there was a site to learn more about it and it's effects. Experimenting with compression now. Do you have any knowledge of the aforementioned software???? It does seem pretty competant!

 

[random.hero]

Hello

I dont know a ton about it...

I will post a site to learn about it in a couple minutes.

 

[random.hero]

here ya go

heres a tutorial for audacity..
i hope it helps.
good luck on your journey.
http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/

 

[glennc]

Thank you random.hero,
Great intro site into some of the features of Audacity. Alot still to learn though. Take care.