Need some help

[jessn1990]

Ok, im just now getting into micing my amps and etc. and before this I use to just plug straight into my soundcard (nivida 4 32 bit ASIO) and use virtual instruments (guitar rig, fruity loops). But i just baught a couple mics including a e609 and I want to plug straight into the soundcard, is this safe, and does it sound good?? Im on a very tight budget (highschool student helpin local teen bands lol) and I dont have the money for a mixer....now at least. So please tell me if this is safe, and if it is maybe some tips on making it sound good. Thanks for any advise. Like I said im new to micing, but i do know how to operate recording software really good.


Thanks,
Jess

 

[rayc]

Straight into the sound card isn't a good option for anything that isn't built for it.
A mixer, a preamp, something to run in between would be far far better. The mics will need some preamping & the preamp for the mic input in a non specific audio card is crude to say the least.
Even an old 4 track can be used a a mixer/preamp & help you out enormously.
Cheers
rayC

 

[jessn1990]

thanks man, ill try and save up for a reasonable mixer. Also, is there any type of plug ins that can be used as a preamp?

 

[daav]

Plug ins won't boost the teeny signal from a mic to the point where it will sound decent going into the soundcard. You need amixer with preamps or dedicated pre's.

if your soundcard has only two inputs, you have two choices:
Record no more than 2 inputs at once, where i would recomend getting a decent budget preamp with 2 channels like the Maudio DMP3 and goign straight into the card. It will sound (slightly) better than most budget mixers and as you respect the quality of signal you will apopreacite that you skipped the mixer stage (at least until you realize that yo need a mixer with good preamps and thus a much bigger proce tag).

Or
You get a decent budget mixer (get one of the yamahas or mackie before behringer) and then take multiple inputs (record the whole band at once concievably), but you mix it in the mixer to two tracks and record those.
THis is conveinent but does give you flexibilty with true multi track recording.

Daav

 

[jessn1990]

Plug ins won't boost the teeny signal from a mic to the point where it will sound decent going into the soundcard. You need amixer with preamps or dedicated pre's.

if your soundcard has only two inputs, you have two choices:
Record no more than 2 inputs at once, where i would recomend getting a decent budget preamp with 2 channels like the Maudio DMP3 and goign straight into the card. It will sound (slightly) better than most budget mixers and as you respect the quality of signal you will apopreacite that you skipped the mixer stage (at least until you realize that yo need a mixer with good preamps and thus a much bigger proce tag).

Or
You get a decent budget mixer (get one of the yamahas or mackie before behringer) and then take multiple inputs (record the whole band at once concievably), but you mix it in the mixer to two tracks and record those.
THis is conveinent but does give you flexibilty with true multi track recording.

Daav

ok i baught a pretty cheap mixer (pawnshop....sorry low budget), now i have inserted the mics into the mixer then out to soundcard, huge difference!! I still need workin out the eq and stuff but it still doenst sound bad, at least not like it was. Thanks guys for helping me, im new to the whole micing thing. but if any of you have any more suggestions please tell me.

Thanks,
Jess

 

[OhSh1rt]

A pawnshop mixer is probbly the way to go actualy, good call, you're next step is much more expensive which would probbly be to get a diffrent analog to digital card, then after that preamps, monitors, ect.

It's an expensive buisness and once you start recording you'll crave more and more, but post your samples man


-jeffrey

 

[rayc]

& so begins the expotentially linked learning/spending curve.
Enjoy the ride & try not to spend too much at a time.
Cheers
rayC

 

[jessn1990]

A pawnshop mixer is probbly the way to go actualy, good call, you're next step is much more expensive which would probbly be to get a diffrent analog to digital card, then after that preamps, monitors, ect.

It's an expensive buisness and once you start recording you'll crave more and more, but post your samples man


-jeffrey

Alright ill look into all that, and ill post some samples but i dont know how lol...so i need some help on that