What would sound better?

  • Thread starter Thread starter YesZep Lick
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YesZep Lick

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A) A Studio Projects C1 into Soundcraft Spirit M12 into a 16 bit Soundbalster live soundcard

or

B) A SM 58 into a tascam 414 into a 24 bit soundcard?

I currently have a a sm 58 a 414 and a Soundblaster live. I am trying to decide what to buy next to improve my sound.

Thanks,
YZL
 
Go with a large condenser like the C1 or the v67. You don't need to get that mixer just to power the mic, go with a single pre like a m-audio DMP-3 (whatever the model). That'll give you two channels of phantom power plus preamps.

I think you'll find that you can do just about anything pretty decently with a condenser mic like C1 or the v67 even with the soundblaster card. Upgrading the card maybe something to think about in the future, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the increased quality of sound with one of those mics.

I know I was when i got my v67. i was using an sm-58 for vocals and other stuff like you are now.


hope this helps,
Brandon
 
Thanks for the advice TexRoadkill and Brandon,

I think I will start by getting a decent condensor and a pre-amp. I will wait on the 24 bit soundcard.

YZL
 
You don't say what you're recording - vocals? micing a guitar amp? a double-bass? a 'cello?

Horses for courses...

You've given me insufficient data for me to give you an intelligent answer...

- Wil
 
Will is correct!

We need more info.

1) What are you trying to record? Vocals, flute, tuba?

What works best for the twelve-string on "Over the Hills and Far Away" ain't necessarily gonna be the best setup for the drums on "When the Levee Breaks".

2) What type of music? Duane Allman's "Little Martha" and Richie Haven's Woodstock version of "Motherless Child" were both acoustic guitar, yet the sound is very different.

3) What is it about your current setup that you're dissatisfied with, or are trying to improve upon? This is important in your situation because it will determine where you want to start.

If you're trying to 'clean up' your sound, feeling that it's too distorted, or noisy, then I would suggest moving up to a low-end 24-bit sound card, like an M-Audio Audiophile, and a clean, cheap preamp like an M-Audio Audio Buddy. (No, I don't work for M-Audio!)

If, on the other hand, you're realtively happy with the fidelity of your sound and your signal-to-noise ratio, but you're looking to add some 'life' and/or 'sparkle' to your vocals, then I agree that the mic/preamp combo would be where you want to focus.

If you specified roughly what your budget would be, that would help, too.

The Audiophile runs about $150-180, the Audio Buddy $80-100.
 
I record mainly acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keyboards and drums (drum machine), and vocals.

Most of the music is classic rock and blues.

I am somewhat satified with the current setup but am looking to improve the "sparkle." I figured a decent condensor would be good and a decent mic pre-amp. It seems like this would be the way to go for now.

Would going from a 16 bit to a 24 bit improve the sound greatly as well and why?

My budget for improving my current set up is around $1000.

Thanks for the help,
YZL
 
Newbie to newbie, I'll say this:

You'll be amazed at how well your SM57 through a relatively cheap preamp can sound if you run into a decent soundcard. Yes, 24bit recording is superior to 16bit recording in all but the extreme cases, and the reasons for this have been discussed a hundred times in the comp forum.

On the other hand, if you get a nice soundcard, you'll still be shopping for preamps and microphones. A single SM57 will get you there a few times, but you'll soon want to expand (that's how I started in fact).

In other words, you need it all.

If I were you I'd get the SOUNDCARD first, because it'll be a heck of a lot easier to qualify your other equipment if you've got a good one. Spend some time learning how it sounds, then start buying other equipment.

Slackmaster 2000
 
i have had both,
a delta 24/96 audiophile is about 150.00
it has also replaced soundblaster as the best selling card
take it from me the difference is astounding
clarity, floor noise
do yourself a favor start with the card
then you will actually hear a difference in everything else
quite frankly sb cards are pieces of shit if you want to do any GOOD recording
 
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