Please help me..

[InfiniteMH]

I'm a newbie enthusiast just begining with this home recording.

I've bought a Shure SM58 and like 2389571952359 other people have trouble with the sound that comes out when it's connected to the computer. I've purchased a Shure A96F to connect my mic to my computer, and i get sound, but not THAT satisfying. I can still hear some noise when I listen to just my vocals.

So I was thinking about buying a preamp for my mic. I picked out Audio Buddy, but found a Behringer MX802A Eurorack Mixer, which also has a mic preamp included. They both seem to cost about same, and the Behringer MX802A has a mixing function. So is the Behringer MX802A a better buy for the price? As you can tell, I don't have a lot of $$ to spend, and so a suggestion for a product with the best low price to quality ratio woul really help me.

Please help me because to order a preamp/mixer, I've got to turn in my Shure A96F for a refund!

Thanks and have a good day-

 

[coloradojay]

Better card?

How about just a better sound card? If you are using the mic-in on some computer onboard sound card, a preamp might not make that much difference. You might want to get a prosumer quality soundcard or USB interface like an edirol UA-3 or m-audio audiophile (either can be had for under $150). I know that some people get OK results with soundblasters, but the interfaces I mentioned are going to likely get you better results.

I'm kinda new to all this, so it will be interesting to see what some of the more senior folks have to say about that.

 

[chessparov]

If you can hang loose for about six weeks or so, the Studio Projects VTB-1 looks like it will be coming down in price from its
present $180 (though that's a great value at that) to maybe
around $130. It blows away the Behringer and Audio Buddy,
relatively speaking. Worth the wait for you if that's in the budget.

Chris

 

[InfiniteMH]

by the way

my sound card is a sound blaster pci512

 

[DJL]

Soundblaster is more of a toy game type soundcard, get a better soundcard for recording music, like a Delta.

 

[Freudian Slip]

My vote goes for a new sound card. You will need a preamp also unless you get a card withan adjustable pre-amp built in but, a pre-amp alone piped through your current card will not get you the results you are looking for. Personaly I would buy seperate units, Card and preamp/board.

a couple cards to check might be: delta or echo

You might want to check out www.pcrecording.com

Good luck

F.S.

PS just a word of advise, try to think of what you would like to be able to do in the long run (EG. record multiple tracks at once) and buy according to your long term needs if you can afford it. In the long run it's much cheaper.

 

[chessrock]

Oh my god . . .

Some guy complains about the sound he gets while trying to plug an sm58 directly to his sound card, and you guys are telling him he needs a new sound card (? ? ?).

Unbelievable.

 

[InfiniteMH]

what equips do i need?

right now i'm just recording vocals, but would like to make originals myself. So from the replies I'm guessing i need a new sound card? and a preamp, just for recording. I have a cheap digital piano, so if i buy a sound module like a proteus, am i at the least have enough to make a song?

 

[InfiniteMH]

hey chessrock,

so that means i DON'T need a new sound card?

ah.........................

confused

a little help here..

so what DO i need?

is a preamp a good solution?

 

[chessrock]

is a preamp a good solution?

More like a prerequisite than a solution.

Imagine not filing the tank, and then complainint that your car won't run . . . you go to a car forum asking if it's good idea to

a) Put gas in the car or
b) get a new car.

Well, duh.

 

[InfiniteMH]

ahhhhhh..

I see..~

So I CAN be satisfied with my mic - computer combination..

SOOOOO happy to hear that.

Thanks for helping out a newbie..

So I guess Audio Buddy is a good solution.. i mean a prerequisite-

^-^

Better return my A96F..

 

[chessrock]

A better sound card is not a bad idea. As you get more experienced, you'll grow to appreciate the improved sound quality it will bring to the table. But in order to get a decent enough level to attain even an acceptable level of sound quality, you will need to plug your sm58 in to some sort of preamp before hitting your sound card.

An audio buddy isn't bad for the money, but most importantly, you need something.

Then worry about getting a better sound card.

 

[alfalfa]

The guys on the harmony central forums are now recommending the behringer ultragain over the audio buddy for that price range. It has no issues delivering a full 48V phantom power (if you ever get a condensor mic), is rackmounted with an internal powersupply and apparently sounds relatively good. Just ignore the tube marketing bull.

 

[tdukex]

Yes, you need a preamp first, and any of the ones mentioned will do just fine. Be sure to plug it into your soundcard's "line-in" not the "mic-in."

 

[InfiniteMH]

hey guys..

I've just ordered a behringer MX602A mixer on the net,

since that was the cheapest i could find.

everywhere else was 79.99

so when i found a new one for 59.99, i bought it.

i hope this wasn't a bad decision..

since it's a mixer and a preamp in the same product..

and i've read some good reviews about it..

The thing i now have problem is..

what cables i'd have to buy..

i have my sound card, SB PCI512, which has a 1/8" line in,

my mic + cable,

my cheap digital piano w/ midi in/output(and one other.. i forgot..)

for the piano to get connected to the mixer i'd need a regular midi cable..right?..

and to connect my mixer to my soundcard, i've heard so many different solutions..

can anyone tell me which one is the best?..

by best i guess i mean leaving out options to do other things?..

thanks guys.-0-

 

[chessparov]

Behringer's new "UB" series mixers are supposed to be superior and
cost about the same.
You may want to exchange it for one.

I have the 802A and it's used mainly now to set up a headphone mix.
The pre's and even more so the EQ's, are relatively harsh,
so you also might want to pick a "warm" sounding condenser eventually to
go along with your '58 to help cover it up, especially since you're digitally tracking.

Those pre's also won't really "open" up your Shure's sound either like the
VTB-1. If you're still not satisfied with the way your '58 sounds, make sure
to try out the EV 835A which has a cleaner top end and less low end mud.
The Behringer pre's work better with it (yeah I've tried it!).


Chris

 

[InfiniteMH]

Thanks chessparov!

I just canceled my order

to order one from UB series..

but wait..

can i connect my digital piano to this mixer?..

i saw the picture and couldn't find a place for a midi cable..

and come to think of it, i don't think i've had it on the mx602a either..



,,

help?

 

[tdukex]

I connect my keyboard MIDI controller to the Soundblaster 5.1 soundcard via the game port (with a cable that came with the keyboard). Otherwise you will need to purchase a midiport. These are fairly inexpensive.

 

[InfiniteMH]

is there no way to connect my digital piano to the mixer?..

oh yeah and plus i gotta buy a new sound card..

is delta 44 good?

 

[InfiniteMH]

??

the only things on the back of my digital piano are:

MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
THRU (What's this?)

there's no audio out..

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!