Newbie just setting up shop... which card?

[ProgMetalShred]

Hey kids,

As the subject states, I am just getting into the recording side of things right now. I am mainly a guitar player (progressive metal) but I also like to pretend I can sing. Basically I need a card to do the following:

1.) Simultaneously use 3 mic ins... I have no mic preamps at this time, and hope NOT to have to buy them. If I do end up using mics for the guitar instead of just doing direct-in stuff, I figure I would use 2 mics for stereo recording and perhaps a third mic overhead. Hence my need for 3 mic-ins. Am I wrong?

2.) Perhaps take up to 4 guitar inputs for recording... as you can see from my signature, I have a decent amount of preamps. It would be great for me to be able to dial in a sound on each one of them, record all 4 at once, and then mix to taste.

3.) I WON'T be recording live drums, EVER. It ain't gonna happen... just needed to be said.

Is it a BETTER option to go with say an Echo Mia and use an outboard mixed like a Soundcraft M4 or maybe an M8 (just in case I ever need more than 3 ins at once)?

Other thoughts?

Thanks for an/all help guys...

This forum is a Godsend. Thanks, Scarr for sending me over here!


Later,
Jeff in Houston


Hmmm... for some reason my signature doesn't seem to be appearing even though my options are set to view them. Well here's the skinny on my musical gear thus far:

* Mesa Boogie TriAxis Preamp
* Digitech GSP-2101 Artist Pro Preamp
* Line 6 Pod Preamp
* ADA MP-1 Preamp
* 1984 Ovation Standard Balladeer Electric/Acoustic Guitar
* Ibanez S540RLTD Guitar
* Fender HM Strat Guitar
* Ibanez SR505 5 String Bass

 

[j]

if you wanna do guitar and vocal stuff direct to pc, i'd check out the Line6 GuitarPort (should be available sometime this spring) and the M-Audio Omni studio for mic preamps..the Omni Studio is a sound card which has a breakout box with two preamps, plus freakin channel inserts.

 

[NYMorningstar]

I get to ask the magic question here. How much money do we have to spend?

 

[ProgMetalShred]

I get to ask the magic question here. How much money do we have to spend?

And the 14,000 peso response IS... well that depends.

Most likely I will be going the e-bay route. That being the case.... I am looking to get the soundcard with preamps or soundcard plus external mixed with preamps for somewhere in the below $600 range.

I mean I hope to snag a Soundcraft Spirit M8 for like below $500... and I see Echo Mia's going for like $100.

Anywho... thanks for the response so far.

BTW, unless LINE 6 does a much better job on this new product than they did on the amp models in the POD, I'll just say "no thanks" to any of their stuff.

Later,
Jeff