Mic Pre-Amp necessary?

[Stanley]

Hi all!

I plan to purchase a Audiophile 2496 sound card soon.

Also, I might go for a AKG D880 or shure sm-58. Can I use these mics without a pre-amp? If I do plug these into the mic-in of the sound card directly, what would happen?

Or should I go for M-audio FASTTRACK USB instead of Audiophile 2496 (same price) that the seller claims to have a built-in mic preamp?

What if I choose to go for AKG c900 condenser mic?

 

[Stanley]

Anybody? Please...

 

[Jeff_D]

Anybody? Please...

Nope- you NEED a preamp for all of the mics you listed. If you go the condensor route, you'll need a preamp WITH phantom power. Personally, id stay away from USB soundcards.
I'd look at something like this to get started... http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMG102

 

[gordone]

Also, the Audiophile doesn't have a mic input. Do a search here or on Google for mic level vs. Line Level.

 

[scottboyher]

This would work and it is cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7315656118&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

Mic inputs
Phantom Power
Built in effects

yadda yadda yadda..

 

[Stanley]

I think I have found a definite alternative.

Can I go for a Audiophile 2496 and SAMSON C01U mic which connects to the computer through USB. Sounds awesome, but people have posted saying that C01 (on which C01U) is based on has a noise level of 23dB (compared to StudioProjects' B1 which has 12dB). But, is there a way to reduce this hiss?

 

[Stanley]

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05/Content/Samson/PR/C01U.html

 

[Stanley]

If I do plug these into the mic-in of the sound card directly, what would happen?

Can anybody put me wise on this, please?

 

[Stanley]

...........................?

 

[JazzMang]

...........................?

You will probably have to wait more than 15 minutes, dude.
People have jobs and stuff.

 

[gordone]

Dude, have some patience! If you spend some time doing research on your own, you'll be able to LEARN stuff. In the time you spent waiting for someone to reply and then posting again, you could have done a search on here and learned everything. Patience is a virtue. (yeah, I know I could have answered your question in the time I took the write this, but I wanted to make a point)

 

[HangDawg]

No, don't buy a mic with a USB connection. Get the audiophile and a cheap yamaha MG series mixer. You will be much better off.

 

[MrKwik]

Can anybody put me wise on this, please?

If you plug the condensor in directly you will get nothing. It needs phantom power to operate. The dynamic might make some sound but very very low unusable signal level.

Just get a inexpensive mixer with built in pre's and phantom power if you are on a budget. Or just get a nice standalone mic pre or 2 if you have the cash.