Second guessing my newest purchase!

[$tackTactic$]

So I will start by saying whats up!
I am trying to put together something decent to
record hip hop/ and R&B vocals in my spare bedroom.
I dont need help with the making of music, just the vocals.
I have a decent HP media center desktop with
2 gigs ram, running reason with FL studio.
I finally bought my mic it is a shure ksm27,
older mic but my voice sounds dope on it! But,
I think I jumped the gun on my audio interface,
I didnt do nearly as much research on it as I did the mic.
I found one on musicians friend that was clearanced
for a hundred, here's the link to it
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...l-Scratch-Firewire-Audio-Interface?sku=702666.
So my question is was this a good purchase or
should I exchange it for a PreSonus Inspire or ....
Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[Washburn100]

Looking at the spec, it's pretty generic, but the big show stopper is that I couldn't see any phantom power. Your KSM27 needs phantom power. Maybe I missed it, but if it doesn't have it, it's no good to you.

 

[$tackTactic$]

yeah I didnt see it say phantom power either,
I just assumed it did cause it had a xlr input.
Hopefully I can exchange it for one that does.
It should be here tomorrow.
Washburn, Do you have any suggestions for
a good interface for me under $150.
And is it that much better to be using one
with firewire instead of usb.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Washburn100]

There are a lot of good choices around the $150 mark. I can help you narrow down your pick.
First, USB or firewire, my opinion is it doesn't matter. They will both work equally well for a small setup/interface. The difference is which would you prefer (do you already have firewire or would you have to get a PCI card) and does the interface have all the features you need.

So lets figure out what you need most. Obviously decent preamp with phantom power. How many channels do you need? By this I mean will you be running say 2 mics at the same time. Also, will you ever need to plug a guitar or bass into it. Do you need midi in and out? Also, headphone jack but do you need more than one headphone out.

Let me know and I can make some suggestions.

 

[$tackTactic$]

Thanks for the help wash,
I have about two firewire ports and like eight usb ports.
I am pretty sure I wont have more then one mic hooked
up at once, and wont be pluging a bass or guitar into it either.
I really just want clear crisp vocals from this interface.
It would be nice to have midi in/out for my keyboard,
and I also have a digital piano that I could use if I had
the midi option. Which would be nice!
As for headphones I ordered a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M45
along with that stanton interface from Musician Friends,
so they should be here tomorrow.
Having two headphone jacks would be nice to have also, but not a must.
Thanks for helping me out I dont have a lot of money
to play with so making the right purchases is a MUST.

 

[Washburn100]

Well here are a few suggestions:

Tascam US-122MKII (USB)
Lexicon Lambda (USB)
Presonus Audiobox (USB)
Presonus Inspire (Firewire)

This is just a few I have used so I can vouch for them, but there are a ton of them out there. I'm sure you will get lots of response to this thread, but I would spend a couple of days googling and reading reviews to get exactly what you want for your budget.
Good Luck!

 

[$tackTactic$]

And would it be better to just go with a mixer
like the Behringer XENYX 1204FX Mixer?

 

[Washburn100]

For what you are doing, no I wouldn't get a mixer. A mixer is used for multiple inputs simulataneously, such as recording drums with several microphones.

Stick with an interface with a good preamp for the mic

 

[dastrick]

no mixer needed

 

[$tackTactic$]

Ok so I think I have narrowed it down to two the
Lexicon Lambda, and the Phonic Firefly 302 USB Portable 5X6.
The main reason im not set on the Lambda is it has
some bad reviews about it not running properly in 64bit vista.
Im running win7 64bit and assume it would have the same type of issues.
Has anybody successfully used the Lexicon Lambda with Win7?
If you had to pick one, which, and why?