Will my mic setup work properly?

[MuttonChew]

Hi,
I am just now looking into buying a proper microphone, and have a setup in mind though i'm not sure it will all work properly.
First off, i'm planning on buying a Nady SCM-800 condenser microphone that will go into my ART Tube Pre-Amp that i already own.
Now for the part i'm not sure about; If i plug a 6.35mm jack into the output of the pre-amp then add a 6.35 to 3.5mm adapter on the end going into my computer,
will my computer properly pick up the microphone, and will i be able to record audio from the microphone onto my computer.
It may be a stupid question, (hence the newbie forum ) but i just want to make sure it will all work before i go out and spent over $100 for the setup.
Thanks in advance
Mutton
P.S: I will be using the microphone for voice chat, as well as recording acoustic guitar and vocals.

 

[MuttonChew]

If you buy a "proper microphone", you should also consider buying a "proper USB audio interface". The mic would connect through your ART Tube Preamp and the ART's output would connect to the "Line" input of the USB interface. The USB interface becomes the soundcard for your computer. The way you mention may work, but likely not as well as you would like.

Do you think it is really necessary to use an audio interface for the purposes i will be using the mic for? I'm just asking because i have a pretty tight budget and wasn't expecting to have to buy an audio interface.

 

[ecc83]

This question/problem crops up all the time Mutton.

Believe Mark and the rest of us when we tell you that you will struggle recording into (and playing out of! Peeps tend to forget that part) of a PC soundcard.

The cheapest "proper" interface I know of is the Alesis iO2 at about $100 US. Much better is the Steinberg UR22 at around $130. After the Steinberg the cost rises steeply but you just tend to get more inputs (or fancy LEDs!) quality is very good for both AIs.

However, if you are REALLY strapped and BECAUSE you have the pre amp (GAKW!) you could spend just $30 on a Behringer UCA202/222. This would take the output of the Art and convert it to digital and do the decoding and give you a headphone and line output. Connections are RCA phonos, not the best conns but vastly superior to 1/8" jacks.

The 202 is really quite good for the money and much better in both sound quality terms and in operation than a PC soundcard.

Dave.

 

[Bobbsy]

Something that jumps out at me is that you're planning to use the mic for "voice chat" and also for "recording acoustic guitar". The needs are pretty different.

For voice chat I wouldn't want to spend the $100--any cheap mic with a 3.5mm connector will be fine. I Skype all the time with family in other countries and never worry about anything beyond the built in mic and audio chip.

On the other hand, getting a nice recording of an acoustic guitar can be quite demanding and your budget seems light to me. I certainly would NOT feed your $100 set up into an onboard sound card. You'll find the results noisy (i.e. a background hiss) and prone to clipping because of limited headroom). If the guitar recording is important to you, frankly I'd go for a better mic, sell the ART pre amp and get a proper USB interface. It'll cost more but pay dividends.

So basically you have to decide your priorities.

 

[gecko zzed]

If the guitar recording is important to you, frankly I'd go for a better mic, sell the ART pre amp and get a proper USB interface. It'll cost more but pay dividends.

^^ That would be exactly my advice as well