setting up a basic system

[thanhkim]

Hello.

I am very new to recording music. I will first say what it is I want, what I have, what has been suggested, and I'd like your thoughts on it.

I want to record between 2 and 4 tracks simultaniously, that allow me to edit them individually. I don't need more than 4, and I'll go for 2, if it is cheaper. I have an EMU 0404, but I haven't opened the box yet, and I am willing to return it. The man who spoke to me said I need a preamp to use that card. He suggested this one instead (Lexicon Omega) http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Omega-Desktop-Recording-Studio?sku=245505

It allows up to 4 separate inputs and is its own soundcard. But the reviews on it are so mixed, I am not sure I want to trust it.

I have seen suggested here the Alesis Multimix Firewire 8... can you explain to me the difference between this Alesis and the Lexicon Omega? The Alesis allows mulittrack recording yes? Will this be limited by my soundcard? Or do I need to worry about that?

 

[thanhkim]

Oh. Outside of that question. Is there a simple unit I can get that would allow at least 2 tracks to be recorded simulatneosly, to use with my EMU card? Just looking at the minimum I could do... though I still want to know the above.

 

[thajeremy]

I dont know how many ins the emu card has and I havent looked it up to see...but if its just 2 inputs, Id go for an M-audio DMP3 preamp....its a great 2 channel pre that you would still find useful even after you upgrade to bigger and better gear. The price of a DMP3 new is around $160 USD

 

[danny.guitar]

I can't comment on the Lexicon as I've never used it. But according to the EMU 0404's page: http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=10447

It has 2 analog inputs, SPDIF (digital) and a MIDI I/O. Just like my M-Audio 24/96.

I've never used it (I have the 1212M) but it has 2 inputs so that will give you 2 separate tracks at once.

I'd also recommend the DMP3 for a good starter preamp.

You might want to do some searches on this forum for the Lexicon to see what other people think of it before deciding.

 

[thanhkim]

That preamp looks decent. I confess I am so new to music recording, that I am not sure what all allows me. But someone told me that a mixer has a preamp on it too. But the difference between getting the DMP 3 and a mixer is that the DMP 3 will allow me two channels at once, which I can mix on the computer with my software, right? And the mixer combines all signals into one?

Am I right about that? So, in reality, this little preamp is probably a better thing to have than a mixer?

 

[thanhkim]

What would be the comparison between getting the DMP3 preamp or the Presonus Inspire? I am not sure the difference.


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-INSPIRE-1394-FireWire-Audio-Interface?sku=241483

 

[EddieRay]

Here's your basic setup:

Mics and/or Lines-in --> Preamp or mixer --> soundcard --> recording software

If you only need to record 2 tracks at a time, your existing soundcard would work but for serious work you'll want something better.

The DMP3 has a good reputation and would give you 2 preamps.

For more than 2 tracks-at-a-time, you will need a preamp for each track. A mixer with channel inserts or direct-outs for each channel would give you that. And you'll need a souncdcard with more than 2 channels.

 

[thanhkim]

Ok. But the guy at the store said I can't plug anything in directly to the soundcard. Is that what you mean when you say, "for serious work you'll want something better"?

Can you explain to me what a preamp does, then?

He said I can't plug anything into it directly. I don't really understand the point of breakout cables if you can't do that. Wonder if you could explain that to me.

 

[cusebassman]

I think they mean that for serious work, you will eventually want to upgrade to a better interface for running mics and other analog equipment into your computer. For now, let's say you are sticking with the E-mu 0404.

Someone above suggested the M-Audio DMP-3 for a preamp, and I agree, it is a very good unit. Essentially, a preamp takes the extremely low signal that comes out of a microphone (be it dynamic or condenser), and boosts it to the level that a device like the Emu card can handle properly. Depending on the type of mics you are using, they may need to be powered with phantom power, which the DMP-3 has (phantom power supplies 48 volts to a microphone if it requires a local power source - usually condensers require this).

Let us know what mics you have or are planning to get so we can make sure eveything will hook up correctly. Pretty much any mic you buy (or have, if it isn't a computer microphone) will be able to be run into the Emu card through the DMP-3.

So, here is the general idea:

Microphone (very low signal) -> mic preamp (amplifies signal to useable level) -> outputs 1 & 2 from DMP-3 go to inputs 1 & 2 on the Emu card respectively. Then you would enable those two inputs on two of the channels in whatever recording software you are using, and from there you just need to worry about setting gain correctly, mic placement, and all sorts of other fun things you'll learn on this website...

Not sure why the guy told you that you couldnt run anything into the card... he probably meant you wouldnt be able to plug a microphone directly in, but the store help at music places have often been accused of less-than-stellar knowledge

As for better interfaces, i don't use em myself so I don't know what to tell ya, but - search around and ask questions, there is bound to be someone willing to help

 

[Nick98338]

Well, like the others have said... at this point you really only need preamps. The EMU is your soundcard. It is a decent, lower-end quality card, but it doesn't have preamps. The Lexicon Omega is both a soundcard and has preamps. You already have the soundcard, so if you got the Omega, you would need to remove the EMU. Same for the Alesis Multimix Firewire 8. It is both a soundcard and has preamps. Same with the Presonus Inspire (which I use) that someone mentioned. It is both soundcard and preamp. You already have the soundcard... you just need preamps. I think cusebassman explained the other stuff.

 

[thanhkim]

ok... so i understand this better... my friend told me my card has a single stereo input or two mono inputs (the L and R)... is that what you are referring to when you say it has two inputs? Or does the DMP3 allow me to have the two inputs with a preamp?

how is mono compared to stereo? does it matter?