preamp or mbox?

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megadrew

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Hi,

I've been reading up on recording gear on this forum and others and I think I've narrowed my choices down to either getting a preamp or something like the MBOX.

I want to be able to record voice and guitar and record it on my computer. Also, it might be nice if I could take a drum loop on my Korg Pandora and record that as well.

I figure I need a vocal mic (like an SM58) and an instrument mic (like an SM57)

So I think I have 2 choices:

1) I already have an Audiophile 24/96 card. So I think all I need is a preamp like the DMP3 and then I could run that directly into the Audiophile and record right?

2) The alternative is to run the mics into the MBOX and then directly into the computer through USB. I would pretty much be wasting my Audiophile in this case.

Which of these two do you guys think would sound better? I'll be recording some acoustic guitar, electric rock guitar with light distortion if any, and vocals.

The DMP3 is about $150 new and the MBOX is like $400-450 so the preamp is a lot cheaper.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Andrew
 
the only problem is that a preamp will have a balanced line level output and that soundcard only has rca inputs.
 
Disregard treymonfauntre's suggestion...it makes little sense for you. Buy the Mbox--the Mbox is a cheap, all in one sound card/pre-amp solution that comes equiped with protools, the default industry standard for recording audio. It is on of the cheapest and most straightlined ways for getting into recording.
 
Regarding the mics, an SM57 is a good thing to have. However, the SM58 is designed for live use. That's why it has that ball windscreen, which is good protection but not considered ideal for studio recording. You can use the 57 to record vocals, just as you would the 58. So instead of the SM58 you might try to find something else to use as a dedicated vocal mic. In the budget arena, perhaps an MXLV67G or a Studio Projects mic of some sort. These would cost about the same as the SM58.

http://www.mxlmics.com/condenser_mic/mxlv67g/mxlv67g.htm
 
So this really begs the question - what software do you use for mixing? If you already have a software package you're familiar with and don't care to learn/use ProTools, you're going to be wasting your money on the MBOX. The MBOX is overpriced and really not that good. I have one, it's decent, but really it's just a big ProTools 'dongle'. So if you don't have software to use and you'd like to use ProTools, the MBOX is for you.

The only reason I have an MBOX is to work on ProTools projects that people bring me on disk. I prefer Logic and Cubase to ProTools, though I'm probably in the minority.

The pres on the MBOX do sound good, but you can buy a decent digital preamp for less that will do the trick, and the Audiophile has S/PDIF inputs. I recorded off a Macintosh built-in soundcard and an Aphex 107 for years with surprisingly good results - you have the ability with the Audiophile to do better than that.

You want a half-way decent quality large diaphragm condenser mic for vox. Project studio-quality mics like this are very affordable these days, so read some reviews and pick one that is in your price range. SM-57 is the most useful mic for everything else in a project studio - I've even used them on vocals in a pinch, and they do the trick. It pays to have a pair, honestly.

Hope this helps out...

Rick
 
If you already have the 2496, you can go with the Safe Sound P1. It's a real good preamp, you can knock out any vocal with it. It cost about $599 but if you search on Froogle I think you can find it for $499. Don't go with a preamp because it's cheap because you'll get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong the DMP3 is pretty good but you can find better and if you're willing to spend $450 for the MBOX you can just go with a good preamp. As for the program get Cubase and you'll be set.

Don't get the MBOX, it's real limited. The Pro Tools in it is weak, although the preamp is pretty good. But I think it's overpriced. My boy has the MBOX and he's thinking about getting the E-MU 1820M now because personally I think he can get better quality out of it. Some people seem to have problems with it but that's because their PCs aren't up to par for the E-MU. As long as you have a Pentium 4, 512MB RAM, 200GHz HD, and 3.0GHz you'll be fine. But look into that Safe Sound P1.

If you're recording vocals, like singing or anything like that. You may want to look at either the CAD M9 and ADK Vienna. The M9 is good for R&B and the Vienna is good for Pop. The SM-57 is a pretty good microphone though. Or you can just get the KSM27 for vocals, it's a good mic.
 
I would never buy one of these all-in-one boxes--especially USB. It's throwing money away IMO. What happens when you want to upgrade your converters or preamp? And the "Protools is the industry standard" argument is just silly.

You already have an Audiophile, which has very good converters. The balanced vs unbalanced issue is nonsense. For another $160 you can get the DMP3. Spend the $350 you save on a good mic. Or save another $100 - $150 and get a Kurzweil Rumor. Use the great converters on the Rumor S/PDIF out to the Audiophile (no more bal/unbal worries :D ). Plus you get the awesome Kurzweil verbs and some other effects.

So, I recommend you buy a DMP3 and Rumor (about $600 total) instead of $500 for the Mbox. You will have better preamps, much better converters, and some kick-ass verbs.
 
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