General Preamp/Interface question

[LC155]

Hey guys,

Pretty much a newb when it comes to home recording and set ups and the like. I did some googling, but felt if I asked directly I'd be able to get a more concrete answer. I've been looking at microphone set ups for mostly vocal type stuff. Originally, I was just going to get an AT2020 USB and call it done. Then I noticed that I could grab an AT2035 for much cheaper, especially if I imported from the US (UK based). I know I'd need phantom power with that one, so I started looking at pre amps. Originally I was going to grab the cheap (but apparently highly rated) V3 tube amp. A bit more research told me that it wasn't all that good, and I should go with something else. A bit more searching got me to the ART Tube MP Pro pre amp. Seemed rated pretty highly, but can't be too sure. I've heard around that I should be getting an interface instead - but is it really worth it? I plan to connect to the PC (USB if I can) and it seemed like the preamp was the best choice to go for a single channel mic setup.

I've probably said a few 'taboo' things in here, so if you could educate me regarding this, that would be great. I'd like to keep it a budget as possible, as I'm not looking for a super hi end profressional recording setup - just something that'll work well with vocals (and be obviously much better than the 2020USB, or at least I hope so, without getting too expensive)

Thanks.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Ok, Hi and welcome.

The first thing that grabbed my attention is you say don't really want an interface, but you want a preamp that will connect via usb.

You're describing an audio interface.

It probably has more functionality than you want, but take a look something like the tascam us122.

The other thing that stuck out to me was about buying cheap from the states.
If you get away with it, that's great, but usually imported items are subject to import tax and it ends up being nowhere near as good a deal as you first thought.
I can't remember what the rate is, but add 20% to any of your prices just to be safe.
There might even be holding fee on top of that, depending on the courier.

I don't know how good or bad the AT20** mics are, but there are mxls and rodes in your price range that might be worth a look.

Hope that helps.

 

[kip4]

Steenamaroo is spot on theres vat and maybe a holdig fee to on imported goods from the usa so bear it in mind.
Both times i've bought stuff (guitar and mic) i had to cough up. Not a problem if your expecting a parcel through the door dont you will get a yelow card from the post office instead tellig you how much you owe before you can have your goods.
Happy shopping mate

 

[LC155]

Ok, Hi and welcome.

The first thing that grabbed my attention is you say don't really want an interface, but you want a preamp that will connect via usb.

You're describing an audio interface.

It probably has more functionality than you want, but take a look something like the tascam us122.

The other thing that stuck out to me was about buying cheap from the states.
If you get away with it, that's great, but usually imported items are subject to import tax and it ends up being nowhere near as good a deal as you first thought.
I can't remember what the rate is, but add 20% to any of your prices just to be safe.
There might even be holding fee on top of that, depending on the courier.

I don't know how good or bad the AT20** mics are, but there are mxls and rodes in your price range that might be worth a look.

Hope that helps.

Hi, I'll take a look at that in a bit, thanks. I guess in that case, what is the use in the inexpensive pre amps if they do the same job as an interface? Are they supposed to be higher quality, being standalone?

After taking a look at it, it looks pretty nice. What are the verdicts on it? A bit higher priced that I'd have liked, but if it's worth it compared to anything else in it's price range, I could reconsider.

Steenamaroo is spot on theres vat and maybe a holdig fee to on imported goods from the usa so bear it in mind.
Both times i've bought stuff (guitar and mic) i had to cough up. Not a problem if your expecting a parcel through the door dont you will get a yelow card from the post office instead tellig you how much you owe before you can have your goods.
Happy shopping mate

Yeah, I'm aware of getting stung by customs. It's kind of a random thing, sometimes you get stung, sometimes you won't. The risk is probably worth it, as if I got stung I think I can still get it cheaper. From what I've seen, large parcels are more likely to get stung. Just depends.

 

[Steenamaroo]

What is the use in the inexpensive pre amps if they do the same job as an interface? Are they supposed to be higher quality, being standalone?

That's the point. Most inexpensive preamps don't do the same job as an interface because they don't have USB or Firewire. They don't convert the audio to data, but rather amplify it to line level.

The ones that do convert to data, are interfaces.


You can buy audio interfaces that just have line level inputs, and those would require standalone preamps in order to use a mic.
Going down that route would let someone have several different kinds of preamp or patch stuff inline like compressors / eqs.

Often when people say preamp they mean interface, and vice versa.
You gotta understand the chain:

Conversion from analog mic level audio to analog line level audio = preamp
Conversion from line level analog to digital audio = converter
Conversion from digital audio to data stream = audio interface.

 

[LC155]

That's the point. Most inexpensive preamps don't do the same job as an interface because they don't have USB or Firewire. They don't convert the audio to data, but rather amplify it to line level.

The ones that do convert to data, are interfaces.


You can buy audio interfaces that just have line level inputs, and those would require standalone preamps in order to use a mic.
Going down that route would let someone have several different kinds of preamp or patch stuff inline like compressors / eqs.

Often when people say preamp they mean interface, and vice versa.
You gotta understand the chain:

Conversion from analog mic level audio to analog line level audio = preamp
Conversion from line level analog to digital audio = converter
Conversion from digital audio to data stream = audio interface.

Oh, I think I see what you're getting at now.

So to that effect, that Tascam you linked earlier would provide everything I needed?

(It's always fun jumping into new things and having being clueless, haha)

 

[Steenamaroo]

Lol..isn't it?
Yes, the tascam or something like it would be plug and play...theoretically.

Mic -> XLR cable -> Tascam -> Usb cable -> Computer.

 

[LC155]

Lol..isn't it?
Yes, the tascam or something like it would be plug and play...theoretically.

Mic -> XLR cable -> Tascam -> Usb cable -> Computer.

Sounds brilliant. Thanks for the help.

One quick question: Noticed the 144 for just a tiny bit more, other than having two extra channels. Does that make it a steal at just a tiny bit more than the 122 for the future in the event my situation changes? I guess that can only be decided for myself, but it does look a bit more future proof.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Yeah, I usually try to encourage people to buy more channels than they need cos it's inevitable that many people will want to upgrade within six months.
Be aware though, that 144 still only has two microphone preamps. The other two inputs are line level which make them no good to you for mics unless you buy more gear.



It's possible to have to few mic preamps, but not possible to have too many.

If you wanna go balls out, there's a us800 (i think?) with eight mic preamps that gets great rep around here.

 

[LC155]

Just had a look, oh jesus haha. I think I'll grab the 122 seeing as it's half the price, and I doubt I'd need to upgrade for a long time anyway. Don't see myself needing a ton of mics any time soon.

So long as the 122 is still great (I'm thinking 2 channels for that price will be far better quality than 8 channels for not even double.)

 

[Steenamaroo]

I'm thinking 2 channels for that price will be far better quality than 8 channels for not even double.

Don't take that for granted. The might be the same quality of preamp, I'm not sure.

You know you need though so that's fair enough. Enjoy.

 

[LC155]

Thanks man.

Hopefully someone who has experience with both will be able to provide input, before I take the plunge.

 

[Steenamaroo]

AFAIK Jimmys69 is a tascam boss! Maybe he'll call in.

 

[LC155]

AFAIK Jimmys69 is a tascam boss! Maybe he'll call in.

Oh, sounds good. Maybe I should give him a PM.

 

[JimmyS1969]

I can't myself say the preamps are the same all the way across the US line. I am pretty sure the 600/800/1641/1800 are all the same, though even then, I have only physically tested the 1641 and 800. I do have recollection of hearing that the gain of the MKII's may be weak.

Guess if I want to be the on-site, Tascam 'Boss' around here, I'd better get one and test it huh? lol!

What is the price for the MKII's in the UK? I'm just curious as I recently shipped an 800 interface to a guy in UK. It cost him $60 for shipping. Yes, then customs held it for a week to collect a silly fee. I believe that it can be sent as a gift and avoid that fee.

 

[LC155]

I can't myself say the preamps are the same all the way across the US line. I am pretty sure the 600/800/1641/1800 are all the same, though even then, I have only physically tested the 1641 and 800. I do have recollection of hearing that the gain of the MKII's may be weak.

Guess if I want to be the on-site, Tascam 'Boss' around here, I'd better get one and test it huh? lol!

What is the price for the MKII's in the UK? I'm just curious as I recently shipped an 800 interface to a guy in UK. It cost him $60 for shipping. Yes, then customs held it for a week to collect a silly fee. I believe that it can be sent as a gift and avoid that fee.

The 122 MKII is about £108. The 144 is around £128ish.

I did a bit more research and it seems for the price range, there's competition between the 122 MKII and the M Audio Fast Track Pro. There's good and bad things said about both of them, so it's kinda hard to pick out comprehensive reviews, haha.

But yeah, sending things as a gift is a good way to stop the fee. You just gotta know a business that will put their neck on the line to do it. I know eBay Chinese sellers do it all the time.

 

[Bobbsy]

Just to confuse you, Thomann have some B stock (customer returns) M Audio Fast Track Pros for £89 just now. See HERE.

 

[LC155]

Just to confuse you, Thomann have some B stock (customer returns) M Audio Fast Track Pros for £89 just now. See HERE.

Haha, oh you.

I tend to research a crapload before I buy anything. I've been hearing about how firewire stuff is usually better than USB especially for 1-2 channel things, but I dunno about how much those would cost.

 

[Bobbsy]

At two channels (or even a lot more) there's no difference in performance between USB2 and Firewire.

I should start by saying that my "interface" IS Firewire (because I can use up to 32 channels) but, if I was buying new now, I wouldn't even consider Firewire anymore. It's getting increasingly hard to find computers that have Firewire installed and it's also hard to find computers with things like an Expressbus slot you can put an adaptor in. Even if you can get around those problems, the standard can be very fussy about things like the chipset used. Anything other than a TI-chiipped Firewire adaptor and I'd be in trouble.

(As an aside, my setup is a 48 channel digital mixer with expansion cards to feed ADAT into a Profire Lightbridge interface then FW into my computer.)

Whether you go Tascam, M Audio or something else, I strongly suggest you go with USB2 rather than Firewire--there are no advantages for you and many potential downsides.

 

[LC155]

Ah, I see. Thanks for that then, I'll disregard firewire.

Seems like for the price range, as I mentioned earlier, it's between the Fast Track Pro and the Tascam 112. Anyone else got input on both of those (or anything else, if you believe it to be better around the same price range). In the meantime, I'll keep searching.

This is really helpful guys, cheers.