New to home recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter nrs10afcn
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Usually the line in on your computer motherboard is higher quality than a cheap interface (in my experience)

Right now, since I'm on a MINIMUM budget, I'm using the line in on my PC (not the mic jack, unless you have a laptop) and this package I got it on sale 50 less than that, but something to that effect can't be beaten for price. Also, if/when you expand, those pieces are still useful.

Only thing missing is a pop filter, which you can make with pantyhose.
 
jclark5093 said:
Usually the line in on your computer motherboard is higher quality than a cheap interface (in my experience)
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I have never seen a motherboard line in that performs better than an audio interface. Those inputs are not made for high quality audio recording - interfaces are built specifically for that purpose.
 
nrs10afcn said:
bump this question, anyone else use one of these?
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So I got the Tascam Us-122 used off ebay, it cost me a little under $40. I've read a ton of mixed things about it so hopefully it works decently for me.
 
It's time for a bit of background reading.

To pick up sound and record it on a computer, you need to go through a chain of electronics:

1. The Microphone: A device to pick up sound waves from the air and convert them to an electrical signal.

2. The Microphone Pre amplifier: Because of the way microphones work, the signals they generate are extremely low level--on the order of about 1/20,000th the level that comes out of your CD player or whatever. This low level makes the signal difficult to work with and prone to interference--the mic pre amp raises the "mic level" signal to "line level" for processing.

3. The Analogue to Digital converter: This takes the analogue (i.e. sound is represented by a varying voltage and frequency) line level signal from the mic pre amp and converts it to a digital signal (a series of 0s and 1s representing the sound) that a computer can work with and store on the hard disk.

Now, however you work, your signal goes through all these steps. With a USB mic, the pre amp and A to D converter are built into the microphone, probably on one or two basic chips. With most interfaces, the microphone pre-amp is attached to the XLR input you plug the microphone into and then feeds into the A to D converter. Some people with lots of money to spend buy an expensive mic, a separate "boutique" mic pre amp and then an interface just to act as the A to D converter and feed into the computer.

Now, you mention phantom power. Some microphones (condensers) require an external source of power to do their conversion from sound waves to electricity--and that's what phantom power is for. Phantom power can be provided by the sort of power supply you mention--or by an interface equipped to do so or by a sound mixer. However, even with phantom power, the output of the microphone is still super low level and still needs the mic pre amp to raise it to line level and an A to D converter to feed a computer.

A basic XLR to USB adaptor doesn't exist because you still need to amplify the mic level signal and then convert it to digital. Or, another way to look at it is that a basic interface IS an "XLR to USB" adaptor, just one with the electronics to do the necessary conversions.

So, yeah, when you buy your mic you need an interface.

Bob
 
nrs10afcn said:
So I got the Tascam Us-122 used off ebay, it cost me a little under $40. I've read a ton of mixed things about it so hopefully it works decently for me.
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You shouldn't have any problems. Ya' gotta' start somewhere...no need to break the bank right out of the gate. You won't have anything to look forward to!
 
Just got the interface but need the usb cord.
The US-122 just uses a USB 2.0 USBA-USBB cord right?
 
AFAIK all Usb cords are the same... I think they sell them just about everywhere
 
Shit really? I guess I just have a bunch of 2.0 cables cause they all seem to work.
 
You just need a standard USB cable. There are USB mini's available as well. Generally used for MP3 players, portable recording devices, cell phones, etc........you don't need any of those.
 
Actually from memory, the US-122 needs a "Type B" USB connector, the larger, squarer one.

Edited to add: Yup. Just found the manual HERE. You need a USB-B to USB-A cable. Still, very common and easy to find.
 
You can make it real easy. Just tell 'em you need to connect a printer. Done.
 
Also, the whole thing with Condenser mics is hype. Get yourself M-Audio Fast Track Audio Interface and Shure Beta58 for starters I'll be a great investment, no need for preamp. Oh, and any software (Audacity for instance) is great just make sure you know it well for things to run smooth. Cheers.
 
Also, the whole thing with Condenser mics is hype. Get yourself M-Audio Fast Track Audio Interface and Shure Beta58 for starters I'll be a great investment, no need for preamp. Oh, and any software (Audacity for instance) is great just make sure you know it well for things to run smooth. Cheers.
 
Goldbit said:
Also, the whole thing with Condenser mics is hype. Get yourself M-Audio Fast Track Audio Interface and Shure Beta58 for starters I'll be a great investment, no need for preamp. Oh, and any software (Audacity for instance) is great just make sure you know it well for things to run smooth. Cheers.
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Really? 58s don't need preamps?
 
Goldbit said:
Also, the whole thing with Condenser mics is hype. Get yourself M-Audio Fast Track Audio Interface and Shure Beta58 for starters I'll be a great investment, no need for preamp. Oh, and any software (Audacity for instance) is great just make sure you know it well for things to run smooth. Cheers.
Click to expand...

You're not really making me want to click your website for more tips...

You mean "A Beta 58 doesn't need phantom power" I presume.

Why stop there with cheap alternatives, you can go even cheaper with a Hello Kitty Karoake special... very warm and punchy sound...
 
I'm sure places like Abbey Road studios will be overjoyed to read Goldbit's advice. Think of all the money they can save replacing all their U87s with Beta 58s!

To the original poster: the SM58 and it's relative the Beta 58 are "adequate" microphones primarily designed for live use where ruggedness and feedback rejection are main considerations. Yeah, they're useful mics to have around--even I have a few in my mic box--but they're not a universal cure for everything. The choice of the best mic for YOU depends on a lot of factors and condensers are good choices for a lot of things too.
 
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