Making the connection

[Afficianado]

Just a question from a guy who's trying to get started as an amateur home recording artist. I was wondering how people get the output signal from their pre-amps or mixers to the input of the sound card. Specifically, in the research I've done, most pre-amps and mixers have XLR or 1/4" plug outputs. Assuming that one is using a $200-range sound card, such as the Audiophile 2496, would one simply use adapters from Radio Shack to get the signal to the card? Is there anything being lost in the "translation"?

Also, if one is running the signal from a separate pre-amp (a la RNP) to the pre-amp on the mixer/sound card, how does this affect the sound?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Bulls Hit]

The Audiophile has RCA inputs so you'll need 1/4"- RCA converter cables. You won't lose quality as such, but you won't be able to use balanced cables so you'll be more susceptible to noise.

Another alternative is a card like the Delta 44 which comes with a breakout box to plug your cables into. This does accept 1/4", balance & unbalanced cables. It also gives you 4 inputs instead of the 2 on the Audiophile. I got mine for $199.

With regard to the preamp question, I'm not really sure. I'd imagine you'd want to turn the gain to 0 on the mixer and most low end sound cards don't come with preamps

 

[Afficianado]

Another option I just thought of sitting here is using a USB input device instead of a PCI card. Obviously latency becomes a bit of an issue, since all the USB audio input devices I've seen are still using the USB 1.0 standard, but is it considered a decent option? I know a lot of of Tascam owners have had not-so-good experiences with the US 122.

 

[mbouteneff]

Tascam US-122 - shoot!

Shoot!

I was going to buy a Tascam US-122 this weekend!

Afficianado, what kinds of bad things have you heard about the piece of equipment? I'd hate to waste money... Also, do you know if it has preamps?