Is a mic all I need? Or an audio interface too?

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mate112

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I'm getting a laptop soon (being shipped) from ADK pro audio.
I'm planning on buying the MXL V67G as my 1st microphone.

Now, do I need an audio interface or can I just work on the microphone being plugged into the computer? Or is audio interface a must? Does it make it sound better?

I was looking at the Mbox mini2 USB powered. It's only 165 on Amazon right now which is a great deal. It comes with ProTools as well. My only concern is, it uses USB 1.1...is that going to be a problem?

P.S. the laptop uses 2.0 usb fireware and sata.
 
The microphone requires phantom power so an audio interface will be needed. The Mbox will accomplish this. Usb 1.1 will work fine on your computer. The only issue some people have with usb 1 is the audio comes in as one stereo track or two mono. Firewire and Usb 2.0 are able of sending many more audio files. As long as you plan on only using one microphone at a time due to the usb and the one preamp on the mbox then that interface is a good choice. If you need more inputs then you may want to look some other options.
 
hello i have a zoom 1044 non cd multitrack recorder i dont have the usb uib 02 interface board instaled can i use a beranger202 usb interface with the sp/dif to echange audio to the compututer also other interfaces
 
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
Amazon.com: Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies (9780470385425): Jeff Strong: Books
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
Amazon.com: Recording Guitar and Bass: Getting a Great Sound Every Time You Record (Book) (9780879307301): Huw Price: Books
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at TapeOp.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio
Free beginner PDFs | Computer Music Magazine | MusicRadar.com
The #1 online community for musicians | Harmony Central
Tips & Techniques - Gearslutz.com

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: How to Configure a Recording Studio Rig

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: Music Books Plus - Home Recording

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: The Best Audio Interfaces for your Home Studio by TweakHeadz Lab
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - Choosing An Audio Interface


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Sony ACID Express (free 10-track sequencer): ACIDplanet.com: Free Downloads: ACID Xpress
Audacity: Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: Wavosaur free audio editor with VST and ASIO support (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: KRISTAL Audio Engine
Other freebies and shareware: Music Software - Computer Music Resources - Shareware Music Machine

Another great option is REAPER at REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - Myriad: Music Notation Software and much more... / Myriad : logiciels de musique, et bien plus...
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE, November 2010 SamplitudeSilver. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

'Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll eat forever...'
 
I'd go for USB 2 or Firewire, you should be able to get an interface in the same price range with USB 2.
 
sockswithshoes said:
The microphone requires phantom power so an audio interface will be needed. The Mbox will accomplish this. Usb 1.1 will work fine on your computer. The only issue some people have with usb 1 is the audio comes in as one stereo track or two mono. Firewire and Usb 2.0 are able of sending many more audio files. As long as you plan on only using one microphone at a time due to the usb and the one preamp on the mbox then that interface is a good choice. If you need more inputs then you may want to look some other options.
Click to expand...

I plan on using one mic only. The quality will be unchanged tho right? I'd get the same result using 1.1 usb (one mic) as fireware or 2.0 usb (one mic)?

Or would you suggest a different interface? With a firewire or usb 2.0. I just assumed they'd be at least 50-60$ more expensive.
 
Technically you don't NEED an interface, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

You could get a preamp and run the Line Out to the Line In of the laptop, but your quality would suffer.


Again, I don't recommend this option, but it is an option.
 
USB 1.1 should be okay with just 1 mic. But why the special computer then worrying about an additional 50 or so bones for an interface? Check with the puter builder, maybe a USB mic will be all you need.
 
mate112 said:
I plan on using one mic only. The quality will be unchanged tho right? I'd get the same result using 1.1 usb (one mic) as fireware or 2.0 usb (one mic)?

Or would you suggest a different interface? With a firewire or usb 2.0. I just assumed they'd be at least 50-60$ more expensive.
Click to expand...

Nope you will be fine! The mbox is nice because it comes with protools and you can then crossgrade to protools 9 for super cheap if you want to down the line.
 
If you intend to finish your tracks at a proper comercial studio then get something with pro-tools. This will make it quicker (and less expensive). Otherwise there are better options for your home rig, learning PT wont hurt you but PT lite isnt going to perform as well as say Reaper on the same machine. Not going the PT rout also means you have a wider choice of interfaces.

That said PT is the industry standard so if you want to start learning the system then the m-powered options are a good start.
 
mate112 said:
I also found Pro Tools Recording Studio (Fast track m-audio. It also comes with ProTools (7 i bealive). And its only 100$.
Mbox mini comes with ProTools LE (8) and its 165$.

Link, Amazon.com: Pro Tools Recording Studio Make Music Now Studio: Musical Instruments

Any opinions? On which to take. Both are cheap and enough for my needs.
Click to expand...


I would get the one that comes with pro tools 8. For a few reasons: If you latter on decide you need more tracks and options then protools le. You can crossgrade to protools 9 for cheap. This option right here will allow you to use any interface in the future and still own a $600 industry standard program. For right now though $165 for an mbox and protools is a great deal. Also new things are usually supported better. since the new mboxs are out that makes the fast track out of the picture in the eyes of avid for drivers.
 
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