Upon my first attempt in gathering Recording equipment

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aflickeroflight

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I’ve recently picked up a gift from a family member knowing I play acoustic guitar, she wanted me to have a gift that would help out with little bits of recording. I used to have pod cast a while back and had also thought about picking up on that again, so she tried with this thoughtful gift.

I obtained a MXL 990 condenser microphone, with a pop filter and a LightSnake USB Microphone cable. I had been real excited for what I had been given and purchased a little mini boom mic stand.

So far, I figured this was all I would need but consider the type of mic, and its attachment to usb be wouldn’t I need a phantom power hook up? Not sure how this would hook into the computer though.

I’m obviously missing something because the mic doesn’t record, and it’s hooked into my computer, for all my recording needs.

Any suggestions?


(and thank you, this is my first post.)
 
Alright, so if I got a 2 channel interface, I would suppose I would need another cable to run into my computer. One into the interface, and then back out? Yeah, I'm really new at this, but I think I'm taking percautions asking here so I don't make any pointless purchases with crap I don't need.

Thanks for the tip.
 
aflickeroflight said:
Alright, so if I got a 2 channel interface, I would suppose I would need another cable to run into my computer. One into the interface, and then back out? Yeah, I'm really new at this, but I think I'm taking percautions asking here so I don't make any pointless purchases with crap I don't need.

Thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...
Way to go!
That usb mic cable is of no real use to you. You might get a dealer to swop it for a standard XLR to XLR mic lead? That's $10 saved!
But yes, you need an Audio Interface. No way around this I am afraid. Prices for new start at $100(? me UK) but do spend more if at all possible or go second hand. If you have a W7 or XP computer look for AIs such as the M-Audio Fast track pro (note the "pro" part) Tascam US 122, better US 144, best US144 MK2, Focusrite 2i2. If you still just run XP (and that is perfectly fine!) look for an Emu 0404usb.

If you CAN splash some cash you will not beat the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6.

Note, all these units ship with several CDs of software that you don't really need (you can download most of it) but if there are no CDs in the box (if there's a box!) dikker the A off the shoppy for a reduction!

You will then need the aformentioned mic cable and a usb "A" to "B" lead, two $?
WHATEVER and however you get an AI. READ the setup instructions first!!! They all install in slightly different ways and getting it wrong first time can waste a lot of time getting it right again...We can help.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Way to go!
That usb mic cable is of no real use to you. You might get a dealer to swop it for a standard XLR to XLR mic lead? That's $10 saved!
But yes, you need an Audio Interface. No way around this I am afraid. Prices for new start at $100(? me UK) but do spend more if at all possible or go second hand. If you have a W7 or XP computer look for AIs such as the M-Audio Fast track pro (note the "pro" part) Tascam US 122, better US 144, best US144 MK2, Focusrite 2i2. If you still just run XP (and that is perfectly fine!) look for an Emu 0404usb.

If you CAN splash some cash you will not beat the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6.

Note, all these units ship with several CDs of software that you don't really need (you can download most of it) but if there are no CDs in the box (if there's a box!) dikker the A off the shoppy for a reduction!

You will then need the aformentioned mic cable and a usb "A" to "B" lead, two $?
WHATEVER and however you get an AI. READ the setup instructions first!!! They all install in slightly different ways and getting it wrong first time can waste a lot of time getting it right again...We can help.

Dave.
Click to expand...



ALright, I think I'm getting some where, and this is good. I was doing as much research as I can, and those suggestions would seem to work, I was also need to do a lot more learning on that end of the table. My question though, is something about a suggestion I read about Phantom power boxes. Even a muscian and strudio producer friend of mine was throwing out idea's for something more I would need, and he said I would probably just need a Single Channel Power Phantom supply1) ( Samson Technologies S-Phantom 48V Phantom Power Supply)or something close 2)(Audio Technica Single Channel Phantom Power Supply) to it.

I am trying to save a little money, but only if I can. Any of those might work?
 
A condenser-into-computer chain will always have a mic, phantom power, mic preamp, analog to digital converter then some kind of data conversion.

An interface will provide all of those things except the mic.
If you bought a standalone phantom power supply you'd be left with an un-amlified analog audio signal.
You'd need to buy a preamp to amplify the signal, then you'd need to find a way to convert it to digital audio which means running that preamp into your bog standard sound card, or buying converters.

Long story short, pick up a little two channel interface. ;)
 
The stickies at the top of the Newbie forum would be reading well spent. Make yourself a tea or coffee and take half an hour or so--you'll learn a lot.

Just to add one more reason to buy an external interface, it will also handle your monitoring needs which will be two fold. First, when you lay down your tracks, you'll need to hear what you're doing and what's already on the computer. When you mix, you'll need some form of monitoring. Eventually you'll decide you want monitor speakers but you'll probably start with headphones like most. Either way, having an interface will make this much easier for you than trying to bodge something together with inbuilt sound cards and adaptor cables.
 
Steenamaroo said:
Big +1.
Click to expand...

Huge +2!
To be streee..ikkly accurate, that snakecable usb thingy and a 48V supply would probably work but the Samson supply is 60quid here (I bought a s/h US 144 with all the discs for that here!) .

The cable is only a 16bit device (you will learn why that is not good in the fullness OP) and almost certainly of poor sound quality. Plus that is all a dead end, whereas even a modest interface opens vastly more possibilities as (Bobs?) said. Overdubbing, feeding in a guitar/ keyboard...MIDI!

Dave.
 
If you are starting out it can be overwhelming the amount of information is out there. Don't get bogged down with a lot of stuff you might not understand right away... sounds like you are wanting to just get your feet wet but make a decent recording. Are you using a Mac or PC? I might recommend starting with GarageBand. As far as an interface... yes that Mic needs Phantom Power. There is a company called Apogee that makes a really amazing little product that powers your mic and also converts the analog signal to digital. (Apogee Duet 2) It has a small foot print and would give you a solid recording with that mic. Hope this helps! (PS you will need an XLR cable)
 
davidtornado said:
If you are starting out it can be overwhelming the amount of information is out there. Don't get bogged down with a lot of stuff you might not understand right away... sounds like you are wanting to just get your feet wet but make a decent recording. Are you using a Mac or PC? I might recommend starting with GarageBand. As far as an interface... yes that Mic needs Phantom Power. There is a company called Apogee that makes a really amazing little product that powers your mic and also converts the analog signal to digital. (Apogee Duet 2) It has a small foot print and would give you a solid recording with that mic. Hope this helps! (PS you will need an XLR cable)
Click to expand...


And so it begins, I'll have to see which one seems up my alley and within my price range. I also really appreciate the lack of 'raging' that I hadn't read the stickies, as I had planned on doing later. So Coffee or tea it is, and I'll start getting all edumacated.

Again, thanks for all the help. I'm very new still, and I hope this will all pan out well.

And to davidtornado, I'm using PC win7 and had a copy of Goldwave, from my pod casts before. I've got Adobe Auditions Cs6 heading my way shortly. My mac book pro is now my wifes, so I'll let that alone.
 
davidtornado said:
If you are starting out it can be overwhelming the amount of information is out there. Don't get bogged down with a lot of stuff you might not understand right away... sounds like you are wanting to just get your feet wet but make a decent recording. Are you using a Mac or PC? I might recommend starting with GarageBand. As far as an interface... yes that Mic needs Phantom Power. There is a company called Apogee that makes a really amazing little product that powers your mic and also converts the analog signal to digital. (Apogee Duet 2) It has a small foot print and would give you a solid recording with that mic. Hope this helps! (PS you will need an XLR cable)
Click to expand...

^ Indeed. Get stuck in! You can handwring forever about the "best" AI but in truth you will not tell the difference between any of those so far mentioned for quite some time (if ever!).
Yes the wee Apogee is a great product but I think it is mac only and it is pricey. If however you are drawn to that style of device (I confess I am not. I WOULD accept a BabyFace as a gift but then flog it and put the cash toward a UCX!) there are a few others about now and somewhat cheaper.

But really, to hammer the point home. You must have an AI. anything else is a faff and will put you off the whole game...And we have not as yet even mentioned recording software!

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
^ Indeed. Get stuck in! You can handwring forever about the "best" AI but in truth you will not tell the difference between any of those so far mentioned for quite some time (if ever!).
Yes the wee Apogee is a great product but I think it is mac only and it is pricey. If however you are drawn to that style of device (I confess I am not. I WOULD accept a BabyFace as a gift but then flog it and put the cash toward a UCX!) there are a few others about now and somewhat cheaper.

But really, to hammer the point home. You must have an AI. anything else is a faff and will put you off the whole game...And we have not as yet even mentioned recording software!

Dave.
Click to expand...

Haha, that was me about 4 months back. I had no idea of what a DAW or AI even was. I even tried to buy a mixer in hope of recording my microphones on a computer! Luckily the shop owner was kind enough to redirect me to a AI - Steinberg Cl1.
 
DarrenVocal said:
Haha, that was me about 4 months back. I had no idea of what a DAW or AI even was. I even tried to buy a mixer in hope of recording my microphones on a computer! Luckily the shop owner was kind enough to redirect me to a AI - Steinberg Cl1.
Click to expand...

Ooo! You don't want one of them! No MIDI...From the "inventors" of the MIDI sequencer!

Dave.
 
I am also just starting out and I bought the Focusrite iTrack Solo for my interface. I bought that one because it has native support for ipad/iphone, plus it can also be used with a pc/mac. Although, I have since decided against Garageband on the iphone because its clunky to use (easy to learn, but annoying to use). Garageband on a desktop might be easier. But I decided to try out Reaper and that's going well.

Stefan
 
ecc83 said:
The Steinberg. You (almost) never see MIDI ports on a mixer. Various reports I have read of the CI1 say the mic pres are pretty good but latency is poor to bad.

Dave.
Click to expand...

Latency, bad? I've never had any problems with the latency
 
DarrenVocal said:
Latency, bad? I've never had any problems with the latency
Click to expand...

No, Darren I am sure that is so. I merely reported a couple of points picked up quickly on the web. But latency is a somewhat personal thing and often depends upon what you want to do (as well as the AI, the DAW, drivers, the PC and the setup!) .

For example:
My son finds he can play guitar and add an effect quite happily using Samplitude SE8 or Sonar lEX1. He can similarly play a MIDI keyboard (Pianoteq). But if he needs to play along with an existing track on the keyboard only the very lowest latency is usable and that can only be achieved using Cubase (LE6) and the 2496 PCI card. (He is no longer in UK but I am confident that the NI KA6 would also be easily fast enough).

Dave.
 
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