C
chhogg
New member
Let me start by apologizing, because some of the information that I am asking for here is sort of covered by other threads, but I am hoping to get a complete picture.
Two years ago I got an old copy of Sonic Foundry Vegas and tried to get started with digital recording. I was using an older computer system at the time, but I currently have a P4 / 2.4GHz / 1.0GB RAM machine, with an on-board audio card that came with my Intel motherboard.
I was recording from a single microphone ( a Stageworks UM66 to be exact ) running into an Audio-Technica CP8201 Microphone Impedance Matching Transformer, which also converted the microphone-style output to 1/4" phone, and then through an adapter from 1/4" phone to 1/8" phone and into the line-in jack of my cheap soundcard. This system seemed to work OK for recording guitars/vocals, but I ran into lots of problems with multitracking.
If I tried to record a track, then play it back while recording another track, the audio would usually get out of sync. 9 takes out of 10, it would sound fine for a while and then my entire second track would suddenly jump and be off by a fraction of a beat. This became so frustrating that I ended up recording eight-bar phrases at a time, and resulted in a fairly awful product.
Now I would like to try recording again, but without the hassle I had last time. I can't see how my PC could be the problem, since it is quite up to date, and I don't think they could sell this software if it is that bad. So I am assuming the problem is with my consumer-quality soundcard.
After reading through these forums and tons of other online information, I am looking at the M-Audio line of products. Specifically, the Audiophile, the Delta 44, and the Delta 1010LT. I was hoping not to spend more than what the Audiophile costs, but I am starting to wonder if it will work for me.
My reading has made it seem as though it is virtually impossible to record using a microphone with a preamp, which the Audiophile and Delta 44 do not have, and which I hope not to have to buy separately. Is this actually the case? Additionally, lots of these cards have their input connections as RCA cables. Can I just walk down to Radio Shack and buy a $2 converter from 1/4" phone to RCA cables, or does this require other equipment as well?
So I really have three questions:
1. To solve the problems I was experiencing the last time I did recording, I most likely need a) newer software, or b) a better soundcard ?
2. Assuming the answer to 1 is b, what kind of soundcard can I get that will work without buying all sorts of other equipment to plug into it. The only real requirements that I have are that it have at least two input channels, not require any extra hardware in front of it, and be capable of both playback and recording without having the synchronization problem. I don't really care about having digital in/out, 10 analog outs, headphone outs, mixing capabilities, MIDI, or any of that other nonsense. I just need an inexpensive card that actually works for simple recording.
3. How does one use the RCA connectors on these sound cards with basic musical gear? ( i.e., guitars and microphones )
Sorry this is so long, but I have been waiting 8 hours for my account activation to complete and thinking about my post all that time.
Thank you,
Chad Hogg
Two years ago I got an old copy of Sonic Foundry Vegas and tried to get started with digital recording. I was using an older computer system at the time, but I currently have a P4 / 2.4GHz / 1.0GB RAM machine, with an on-board audio card that came with my Intel motherboard.
I was recording from a single microphone ( a Stageworks UM66 to be exact ) running into an Audio-Technica CP8201 Microphone Impedance Matching Transformer, which also converted the microphone-style output to 1/4" phone, and then through an adapter from 1/4" phone to 1/8" phone and into the line-in jack of my cheap soundcard. This system seemed to work OK for recording guitars/vocals, but I ran into lots of problems with multitracking.
If I tried to record a track, then play it back while recording another track, the audio would usually get out of sync. 9 takes out of 10, it would sound fine for a while and then my entire second track would suddenly jump and be off by a fraction of a beat. This became so frustrating that I ended up recording eight-bar phrases at a time, and resulted in a fairly awful product.
Now I would like to try recording again, but without the hassle I had last time. I can't see how my PC could be the problem, since it is quite up to date, and I don't think they could sell this software if it is that bad. So I am assuming the problem is with my consumer-quality soundcard.
After reading through these forums and tons of other online information, I am looking at the M-Audio line of products. Specifically, the Audiophile, the Delta 44, and the Delta 1010LT. I was hoping not to spend more than what the Audiophile costs, but I am starting to wonder if it will work for me.
My reading has made it seem as though it is virtually impossible to record using a microphone with a preamp, which the Audiophile and Delta 44 do not have, and which I hope not to have to buy separately. Is this actually the case? Additionally, lots of these cards have their input connections as RCA cables. Can I just walk down to Radio Shack and buy a $2 converter from 1/4" phone to RCA cables, or does this require other equipment as well?
So I really have three questions:
1. To solve the problems I was experiencing the last time I did recording, I most likely need a) newer software, or b) a better soundcard ?
2. Assuming the answer to 1 is b, what kind of soundcard can I get that will work without buying all sorts of other equipment to plug into it. The only real requirements that I have are that it have at least two input channels, not require any extra hardware in front of it, and be capable of both playback and recording without having the synchronization problem. I don't really care about having digital in/out, 10 analog outs, headphone outs, mixing capabilities, MIDI, or any of that other nonsense. I just need an inexpensive card that actually works for simple recording.
3. How does one use the RCA connectors on these sound cards with basic musical gear? ( i.e., guitars and microphones )
Sorry this is so long, but I have been waiting 8 hours for my account activation to complete and thinking about my post all that time.
Thank you,
Chad Hogg
