Straight USB Mic or Mixer/Preamp XLR Mic Setup?

[RealityTraveler]

Hello all,

I'd like to record VOIP interviews in a home/office studio setup via Skype. These will primarily be distributed as podcasts - though some will be burned to CD.

Current Equipment

Home studio use:

[Great Desktop / Great Laptop Computers]
Audio-technica AT3035 Cardiod Condenser Mic
Behringer XENYX 1622 FX Mixer/Preamp with USB/Audio interface

Questions and needs:

I'm considering switching from the studio gear that I listed above to a Rode Podcaster USB mic (or maybe just a Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB) and simply record directly into my PC. Would you recommend that, or would it be better for me to get a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and use the Audio-technica AT3035 mic (or the Scarlett 2i2 and a different mic)? I'm not sure what would be easier and better - just use a current mic with the 2i2 or get a USB mic.

Also, the Rode Podcaster mic is considerably more expensive than the ATR2100. For podcast and perhaps CD quality audio, is there an easily discernible difference in audio quality? [I believe the ATR2100 may be 16 bit capable as compared to 18 bit for the Podcaster.]

By the way, I'm trying to get away from using the Mixer/Preamp so that I can be a little more mobile with my setup. This has a lot to do with why I'm wondering if I should use my current AT3035 and go through a 2i2, or just get the Podcaster Mic or ATR2100 and go straight into laptop.

Thanks in advance for your expertise and help.

~R

 

[SyDiko]

I think your condenser + Scarlett preamps will sound better and allow for more functionality from a hardware sense because of the interface. But if you're budget oriented and only recording yourself the ATR2100 will also suit your needs just fine.

I've also found this post which should help with your decision,

+1 to the advice from mjbphotos.

Every microphone needs a pre-amp to raise the very low levels it generates to something useful. Once the signal has been amplified, for use in a computer it also needs a converter to change the analogue signal to digits that a computer can use. In addition to this, a condenser mic needs a source of power (known as phantom power) to operate.

That's the three things that an audio interface will do for you--act as a microphone pre amp, an analogue to digital converter and a phantom power source.

A USB mic is no different--except that all three functions are built into the mic. The trouble is, the electronics used are generally "built to a budget" and not anything like as good as a specialist interface. There are a couple of other drawbacks too. First, with a few exceptions, most USB mics are "one way" devices--they don't give you outputs for monitors or headphones, expecting you to use the built in device on your laptop for output. This can cause trouble in some audio software when they try to use two devices and two drivers at the same time. Finally, the drivers themselves (if provided at all) can often be flakey, full of bugs and lag.

On top of all that, every time you buy a new USB mic, you're also buying a new built in pre amp, A to D and phantom source. However, with an interface, you can buy as many different mics as you want/need and keep using the same interface.

Finally, to answer a couple of your specific questions not dealt with above:

Yes, the Realtek is an interface but a very basic, low quality one. It's designed more for a cheap headset mic for Skype calls than any serious music recording. Even if you could plug your mic in using a phantom source and adaptor cables, the sound quality would be very noisy and unpleasant.

Second, there's no "best" audio interface (or XLR to USB adaptor as you call it) but the M Audio Fast Track that mjbphotos mentioned is fine. However, your choice will also depend on what you need in terms of number of inputs, outputs for monitoring, etc. etc.

But, to sum up: buy an external USB interface and use the mic you bought rather than messing with USB mics.

Source: https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...ne-versus-condenser-microphone-others-336849/

If I were in your shoes, I would stick with the AT and pick up a 2i2.

 

[RealityTraveler]

If I were in your shoes, I would stick with the AT and pick up a 2i2.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and helpful response. I'm wondering... I'd also like to output the recorded Skype conversations to a Z oom H4n. I'm not sure this can be done off of the 2i2 -- as I think it would require an aux out on the 2i2 (to go back to Skype) and some outputs to go to recorder.

I've been told the the M-Audio M-Track Plus is better that the Scarlett 2i2, but I'm thinking it doesn't have the capability, either, to use the Z oom H4n.

I wish I could find a lot of information on how others are using hardware to record Skype calls, rather than using software to record them.

~R

 

[Bobbsy]

As you're starting to work out, signal routing to record Skype calls can be a bigger issue than your choice of mic.

How I would do it is as follows:

1. I'd use an interface AND a mixer.

2. I plug an XLR mic into the mixer and route that via a direct out or prefade aux into the interface and, from there, into the computer.

3. I'd bring the audio output from Skype back into a spare Line level input of the mixer.

4. Mix your mic and the Skype output together and feed the main out of your mixer into your recorder.

Now, there are lots of variations of this. If your USB mixer has the routing flexibility you could possibly use just the mixer--but most Behringers only allow you to feed the main out to the USB and the computer output back to main out. I tried to check your model but the Behringer site is being funny just now.

Just as an example though, you could play with using buses instead aux or direct outs...but the main thing is that you need to be able to create two separate mixes: one of just your mic (which would be known in the broadcast trade as a "mix minus" feed to send out via Skype) and a full mix to send to your recorder.

Anyhow just some ideas.

 

[SyDiko]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and helpful response. I'm wondering... I'd also like to output the recorded Skype conversations to a Z oom H4n. I'm not sure this can be done off of the 2i2 -- as I think it would require an aux out on the 2i2 (to go back to Skype) and some outputs to go to recorder.

I've been told the the M-Audio M-Track Plus is better that the Scarlett 2i2, but I'm thinking it doesn't have the capability, either, to use the Z oom H4n.

I wish I could find a lot of information on how others are using hardware to record Skype calls, rather than using software to record them.

~R

The 2i2 is limited in the regards to what can be connected to it and coming out as you've probably noticed.

Might I add, Bobbsy offered a great solution!

Another solution (if money permits,) is you may have to move up to either the Scarlett 2i4 or 6i6 for the additional ins and outs. I'm currently doing podcasts as well, and I've recently upgraded from a Fast Track Pro to the 6i6 (pretty substantial upgrade.) And, while the Fast Track Pro did meet my needs; the 6i6 smashed them effortlessly. The way I'm recording is via the interface as the median. My Skype call is being routed from my laptop from a mono 1/8 to 1/4 via combo xlr, my xlr mic is connected to the interface, and both channels are sent via USB to my desktop where everything is being recorded. With that in mind, I'm wondering if you could send a monitor signal out to your z oo h4n via the monitor output signal to one of the combo xlrs on the h4n? If thats the case, you may still be able to buy the 2i2 and be okay.