few ? on a budget

[dirtyp]

i recently went lookin for a mic to record volcals 4 under 50$, i was going to get shure 58 beta 39$ but the guy gave me a peavey pvi2 the price was 79. but he charged me 39 so i thought it was a deal, i found out it was a 39$ mic anyway, wich is better? i have the mic directly plug in the mic jack, but i barely get any sounds it records around -30 decibels, i have sounblaster 16 and c-media soundcard, why wont it play loud? am i better off upgrading to a better soundcard? or a mixer that plugs in the pc? would a mixer work better thru usb or midi? the store recomends a m-audio mixer around 200$ is it any good? do i have cheaper alternatives?

 

[mx_mx]

Get better sound card. For now, plug mic into line in, not mic.

 

[hungovermorning]

do i have cheaper alternatives?

You always do, they just usually just don't sound as good.

 

[dirtyp]

shouldnt i get a mixer or a preamp? and whats the main difference? what soundcard do u recomend?
this is only $50 ART Tube MP Microphone Preamp
M-Audio Audio Buddy Preamp $79

 

[Joepie]

Plugging it into the line input isn't going to do you any good. You need to amplify your mic signal, with a preamp. Either a separate one (like the audiobuddy or the art tube, indeed) or with a mixer which has built-in preamps.

About a year ago I had the same setup that you have now. Standard soundcard, cheap mic. I've bought an audiophile 24/96 card and a yamaha mg10/2 mixer, and the sound is a thousand times better.

 

[dirtyp]

what about Sound Blaster Audigy SE 24-BIT SOUND CARD? its around 20 bucks

 

[mx_mx]

If its 20 bucks then its probably crap. If it has 1/8 jacks its probably crap.

 

[dirtyp]

Soundcraft 200B Input Mixer Module MIC PRE 4 BAND EQ , !! NEW BEHRINGER UB802 8 Input 2-Bus Mixer, Art Headamp head amp 4 channel headphone mixer 5 6 ,*NEW* ART PowerMix III 3 Channel Stereo Personal Mixer ,Yamaha KM802 8-channel mixer, these all are under $50 will they work

 

[Big Kenny]

You need to save up and buy some decent stuff or you won't be making any progress. It'll sound like crap. Will it work? Sure! Will it sound like anything nice? No!

 

[dirtyp]

not sure if they are for pc or not, but these are, wich is better pre amp ART MicroMix, ART Tube MP, Behringer MIC100 Tube Ultragain Microphone Preamp with Limiter , Behringer MIC200 Tube Preamplifier with Modeling , or m audio buddy and these mixers ART Power Mix I , ART Power Mix II, TAPCO Mix.50, ART MacroMix, Samson S•Mix , TAPCO Mix.60 help please so many choices i want sumthin cheap not junk

 

[mx_mx]

cheap = junk. usually

 

[dirtyp]

well then what am i better off spending the money on a mixer or a pre amp? my problem is not enuff sound

 

[dwarf]

Ok guys don't shoot me down if I get this wrong.

If I were you I'd get the M-AUDIO USB pre-amp ( I think that's what your talking about). That should get you started.

However If you get cheap stuff your going to get cheap results, I learnt that the hard way -$900 on usless shit.

if I were in your situation and living in america, I'd get

Studio Projects B1
Tascam USB pre-amp
AKG K55 Headphones

This would get you started for a rap setup (I think)

You may want to look into reading some of these

www.tweakheadz.com
www.homerecording.com

a little literature goes a long way.

 

[gbondo9]

You may want to look into reading some of these

www.tweakheadz.com
www.homerecording.com

a little literature goes a long way.

Ive heard good things about that homerecording.com place.

 

[dwarf]

I have to. I never go else where, (actually I've stoped going to studio-central)

WHOOO.

 

[Innovations]

Ok, here is probably your cheapest way to get started.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOFASTTRACK

It will bypass your cheap sound card and get you a preamp. It is only one simultaneous track, but that is all you likely have with your sound card anyway. If you were wanting for example to do podcasts or such it would be good enough with your existing mic.

 

[blazingstrings]

Just do your self a favor and save up for a while.
Work on your ideas in the mean time and then when you have the money get the right stuff and put your ideas down.
You will be happiest that way.

If it was me I would get this:
M-Audio Mobile Pre USB
M-Audio Nova
Set of Sony studio Headphones.

That would set you up right and upgrades would be less needed in the near future

Just my opinion.

-Blaze

 

[treymonfauntre]

this thread is so hard to read when you're high

 

[dirtyp]

if i get MAudio Fast Track USB Audio Interface, do i still need a mixer? i dont understand the deiiference between pre amp, and mixers , dont they both do the same thing, i found a TAPCO Mix.60 is this a decent mixer, also if i combine them wont i have more then the single channel the m audio has?

 

[dwarf]

Dude you'r not hearing us, save your $'s you'll be much happier.

if you want to throw your money away on usless crap go ahead we can't stop you.

READ THE TWEAKHEADZ guide that will help emmencley.

Also with the M-audio i believe it bypasses your sound card and gives you a better preamp. (not compleatley sure, I went the multitrack route.)