usb 3

[acermove]

Hi there,

I'm thinking about getting the Direct Pro USB 3 audio interface from aardvark.

I play accoustic guitar and sing. It looks ideal for what I want.

Does anyone have any experience with it? Any reviews?

At the moment I am undecided on what mic to get. There's not alot of cash left so I can't afford anything too fancy. I'd be interested to know of any that work well with it.

Hope to hear from someone,

acermove

 

[omtayslick]

I have one and like it.

Good points: Nice sound. Quality build, metal box etc. Headphone monitoring. Good all-in-one solution if you record one track at a time with a dynamic mic, or direct in.

Drawbacks: No phantom power. Only 1 source at a time, unless you go in through the line inputs. (which will require a seperate pre-amp)

Very solid little device. If you are doing one track at a time and this will work for you, my mic recommendations are: SM57 or a battery powered condenser. (there is a battery powered version of the MXL V63 available for about the same $ as a 57) The V63 sounds pretty good on acoustic.

 

[acermove]

Thanks for the info.

I'd use a direct in for my guitar and a mic for vocals. I checked out the SM57 at zzounds, is it good for vocals?

Do you know where I can get one of those transformer things (not sure the tech. term) so I can plug it into a 1/4" input?

Cheers

 

[omtayslick]

You can get a mic cable with a 1/4" jack on the end from any music retailer. Or an xlr to quarter inch adapter if you prefer. I'd be surprised if zzzounds did not carry these also. The SM57 is not known as a vocal mic. But it will do well on vocals. It's a swiss army knife mic. It works on most anything. For a mic specifically designed for vocals, look into the 57's cousin, the SM58. Usually about $20 more. But interestingly enough a lot of people, myself included, prefer the 57. It has a more natural, flatter response. The 58 has a midrange presence peak that "optomizes" it for vocals. Turn on any music video channel and you will see these mics (especially the 58) frequently.

Also on Aardvark's website, there is a frequently asked questions section. This will detail exactly for you what the USB3 can and can't do. Worth the read.

 

[fishtop_records]

I'd use a direct in for my guitar and a mic for vocals. I checked out the SM57 at zzounds, is it good for vocals?

Do you know where I can get one of those transformer things (not sure the tech. term) so I can plug it into a 1/4" input?

SM57s are very versitile. As others say, they are
sometimes prefered over SM58s -- which have
a high end boost for stage work.

The names of the transformers vary, you probably
mean is a low impedance XLR to high impedance 1/4"
transformer. Radio Shack and every music store
carries them. Musiciansfriend has them for about $12
search for "CP8201 In-Line Transformer"