iBeam Active into Santa Cruz directly for recording??

[gti]

Newbie here so please help.

I have an LR Baggs iBeam Active in my acoustic guitar. I don't have a mic., mixer, nor a preamp/DI box, etc.

Would I be able to just plug the pickup output directly into the Sound Card line-in jack and get a good recorded sound??
My soundcard is a TB Santa Cruz.

Would there be problem with not enough gain and impedence issues, etc.??

If I have to upgrade or add something, what would be the best inexpensive upgrade I should get??
(I plan to record only one track at a time and mix 2-3 solo tracks max together with a good audio software. I have no need for live performance; just home recording on the cheap w/ a PC).

Thanks for any input.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Look at the specs for the pickup and the soundcard. Usually a guitar sends out an Instrument Level signal (high impedance). Usually a soundcard only accepts Line Level signals. An instrument preamp is usually used between a guitar and recorder.

I say usually because some acoustic electrics have preamps that send out a pretty hot signal and some soundcards have mic and instrument preamps built in. Find out what they both have and we can tell you if it will work.

 

[lotuscent]

I have recorded using an Ibeam direct from my larrivee into a mic preamp into my MOTU 2408. As long as the issues mentioned by TRK are addressed, there is no problem.

Your best bet for sound however, is to get at least one mic pre so you can combine the sound of the ibeam with a mic. Your ibeam is active, meaning it has its own preamp.

ibeams sound pretty good, but kinda thin...

 

[gti]

Thanks for the advise.
I will probably look into learning how to properly use a recording software first before upgrading equipment.

I did tried pluging the ibeam directly into the sound card line it and did some rough recording. The line in seems to have enough gain for recording but the sound is quite boomy and bass heavy.
I hope I can use the software to cleanup the sound to the way I want it if I know how to do it.

Anyway it is a start and much to learn. Thanks.