Mic Preamp / Soundcard / DI ????

[willythekid]

I am a beginner in this so I am a little bit confused about one thing. Right now I have an M-Audio Duo. This budget item has mic preamps and it also works as an external "sound card" for my Macintosh. Now I'm interested in getting a more professional pre amp like Tampa or Brick or Grace Design 101. My question is: how are the professional pre amps connected to the computer?Do the professional pre amps include the "sound card"/ DI function or do I need to buy extra equipment for that? And if that is the case, what do I need?

/wtk

 

[David Katauskas]

With the preamps you mentioned, you will need an audio card to connect your pc. That's another can of worms. Do you need only 2 channels, 12 channels, ... anyway, you'll need an audio card.
Depending on your budget, there are several brands/models that are available.

 

[willythekid]

Thank you for your reply.

I will not need more than 2 channels for now.
Do you know any professional preamps that have the "sound card" built into them?

Or do you have any recommmendations of other external soundcards. I use a laptop Macintosh.

How important is the soundcard? Maybe I could use my old M-Audio Duo as a soundcard and just get better pres? I don't have any problems with the duo's soundcard functions, I'm just not happy with the pres.

 

[jkokura]

Check these out...

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=mobileinterfaces

M audio and some other companies make USB and Firewire interface/pres...the audio buddy or fasttrack or 410 would suuit your needs...

Jacob

 

[willythekid]

Thank you jkoura.

But I am disappointed with the preamps on the AudioSport duo. I found them noisy and buzzy. I worry that I will have the same problem if I buy new lowbudget gear from M-Audio. Do you think that the newer M-audio products have better preamps then the Duo? Or should I go for a more professional and expensive preamp eg Grace Design 101 + a more professional sound card? Are there other external sound cards for Macintosh than the M-audios?

/wtk

 

[JeffLancaster]

Look here: http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/

Check out the "mini" series of A/D and D/A converters and preamps. Quality stuff...not gonna be cheap though.