XLR mic into digital in...

[c_martini]

My pc has an interface for digital in/out (optical and spdif). I would like to connect my dynamic microphone (XLR balanced) to this input for home recording as the analog line inputs are too noisy. I know I will need some type of A/D converter to get the signal into the pc. I have been searching for some type of direct box or converter to acomplish this but the solutions I have found on the net are far too expensive for my purposes. What I need is something similar to what the Edirol UA-25 or UA-5 USB Audio Interface does but without all the extras. I just need the simplest form of input for my mic, with perhaps a limiter to avoid digital clipping to the spdif or optical line input of the pc.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[gordone]

The analog inputs are probably too noisy because they are for LINE inputs. If you want a "simple" solution that works, you'll need a pre-amp, AND a A/D converter to get to the digital input, sooooo since you need to buy a pre-amp, you should probably just try the pre-amp with the analog input you already have. Other options would be to get a pre with a built int A/D converter, but I prefer to keep components seperate so you can upgrade them later on. Why don't you tell us what soundcard you have?

 

[c_martini]

Evan,
I've been out of pc hard disk based recording for a few years and the music business in general, so bear with me if I seem a bit out dated, but I currently do not have the luxury of more purpose built hardware (audiowerk 8 channel cards) like I used to for my setup, well at least for the moment.
I am limited to the built in audio chipset (CMI 8738) of my mainboard, which is not purpose built for music recording. I do not want to use the line in / mic in inputs to the sound chipset as these are probably horrible (have not tested yet). But the mainboard does have a direct optical and spdif digital in / out and a good professional quality digital interface at 24 bit, I would obviously like to use this instead.
All I was wondering is if there was an inexpensive solution for a/d conversion to get my balanced mic signal into the pc.
While doing further research on this I may have answered my own question. I have found this www.dvforge.com/plug.shtml unit which may be an alternative for use through the usb port. I have contacted the company via email to find out if the connector will work on a pc with windows as well as mac. If so, this would definately be the least expensive alternative for me at around $50 (U.S.) when it is released later this month.
Anyhow, thanks for the advice Evan.

 

[dwdruman]

a cheap solution if you want a a/d converter is the ada8000. I love mine

 

[poopsie]

I was looking for the exact same thing as you. I have the inputs on my puter for Digital, but couldn't figure out how to do it. I have a SB sound card, and that is way to hissy, so, my solution, buy an m-audio 2496. Not too expensive and from what I have read, gives nice clean sound.

 

[vollyguy11]

same thing here, SB is a joke. I recently got the m-audio 410, hopefully it works out. It is currently on its way to my house but i have a friend who has one and loves it.

 

[c_martini]

usb = digital audio out?

I have a further question in relation...
Do most usb audio interfaces/mic preamps send the digital audio signal through the usb port? If this is so, then I wouldn't necessarily need a mic preamp with a spdif out. It seems that this feature adds quite a bit to the cost of the unit.
If I can find a unit that uses the usb port to send the digital audio signal into the pc, I may be able to save money...

Is this possible?

 

[Farview]

The usb interfaces send the audio through the usb port.