Help With Microphones

[Prodigal_Son]

Ok, first I have to pre-empt this post with a disclaimer that I'm very very new at music production and cubase. So, I apologize ahead of time for my high degree of ignorance.

I just received Cubase SX as a gift, and am running it on my Powerbook G4. I bought a crappy little USB microphone just to mess around with and record some vocals, and I can't get it to work in Cubase. It's a $30 Logitech USB microphone which I hope I can use until I can afford a decent microphone.

It seems to me that the problem is that I need an ASIO driver for the microphone to work in cubase. The microphone is simply plug and play, and does not have any drivers, let alone ASIO. Does this mean that it's impossible for me to use this microphone in cubase?

If I can't use the microphone, is there a relatively inexpensive microphone setup that will work with cubase for mac os x? I don't need perfect sound quality until I gain some experience and save up some cash.

Also, I can only get sound to come out of my computer speakers (which are also USB) if I choose the speakers under VST MultiTrack>ASIO Driver in Device Setup, thereby cutting off any inputs and other outputs. Is this because my sound card only supports a single input/output?

I know these questions will seem ridiculously stupid, but I'd really appreciate any help I could get in learning the ropes of music production. Thank you.

 

[Alejo]

Your question has not been so stupid since it is taking a lot of time to answer (wichis pretty strange in this qualified forum).

To be honest I have no idea about Macs nor USB mics, wich I believe they are not built for music applications but for simple voice recording. But I tell you that a standard dynamic microphone and some meaning to preamplify the signal (mixer, vocal preamp, or even the guitar pedal set in "bypass mode") should make the job, since you tell us that you have one audio input in your SoundCard. You may find dynamic mics and preamps really cheap nowadays.

I really hope somebody come with better ideas for you problem.

Good luck,

Alejo.

P.S. Congratulations for bein surroundered by such a nice friends! I I´ve only got a tambourine from them as a gift!

 

[MILLSY5]

Your USB mic may be "plug and play" but it should still come with drivers. Your are quite right in stating that it will not work in Cubase without the drivers but i am assuming it works for you recording into another software application. Why not record into the other software app and then import the audio files into Cubase for further processing. The quality wont be great but if thats your concern then go for a dynamic mic (Shure SM58 or 57 will do nicely) and a pre amp (dbx mini pre is cheap at £80 and good quality).

With regards your speaker problem (if i understand it correctly) you can only select one driver at a time (and hence one soundcard/breakoutbox) from the devices menu and this will limit you to the same number of ins and outs as are physically present on the soundcard.


Hope this anwers your queries.

Keith