Simple Mic Preamp?

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:45 pm

I'm looking for a mic preamp to use with my PC. I'm only gonna be using it with a condenser and a dynamic mic so 2 inputs is enough, any thoughts?

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:04 pm

A recording system when using a computer works like this.

mic - preamp - converter - interface - computer

did you mean an all in one preampconverterinterface like the mbox? or did you want to get a high quality 2 channel tube pre-amp and run that into your computer somehow?

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:06 pm

Something all in one would be perfect, it's main use is going to be podcasting and the odd bit of acoustic recording so I'm not looking to break the bank.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:16 am

what program are you using for recording?

M-audio isn't bad... Check out the rest of this website though. It's catered to recording and such.

Sweet Water

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:28 am

Ian wrote:what program are you using for recording?

M-audio isn't bad... Check out the rest of this website though. It's catered to recording and such.

Sweet Water

Currently bidding on one on the 'bay

.

Cheers for the help

I use different things, audacity if I'm just recording a single thing, audition sometimes, cubase as well. Still haven't really decided what program to use for recording yet, still trying out different ones to see what I like best.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:19 am

Just make sure that M-audio unit will work with those programs, I don't have that unit, but I use an M-audio interface with my setup and haven't had any problems what so ever.

And also, where are you Mike? You for sure have some good advice here eh?

Ninja Mike 808 · Post by **Ninja Mike 808** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:18 am

Me? Or another Mike? I'll just butt in anyways...

M-Audio.com
Edirol.com
Roland.com (owns Edirol)
E-MU

But, if all you're doin' is podcasting, there's great news for you. MXL and Samson (to be specific, there are others and better) make USB mics. They're large-diaphragm condenser mics that run off USB, and nothing else. The pickle is that means that there's a mic+preamp+A/D converter+phantom power all in one, small packages, which usually means lower quality then what you could get... But, as far as bang for the buck goes, USB mic is the shizz. I think they're like $100 or so... MXL also makes a XLR to USB device, about the size of a marker... If you get shitty quality out of some recordings, then I would suggest upgrading. The sad thing is, you really can't upgrade a USB mic, it's either that mic, or throw it in the trash and buy a few more products.

If you do need 2 ins, and you don't wanna get 2 USB mics, then sure, M-Audio will probly do the trick, but I'm rather fearful of the quality of preamps that M-Audio uses... But, for your purposes, they should be great. Musicianfriend.com, guitarcenter.com (same site, basically), zzounds.com etc. Hell, even Yahoo stores and Amazon.com. The possibilities of you finding dopeness is endless.

Post by **Mike** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:44 am

I would go for one of the Edirol two preamp/audio interface boxes, I have the larger UA-1000 which is excellent. They make Firewire and USB2.0 versions.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:33 pm

Here's a bigass list of things that will probably work:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=usb+mic

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:34 pm

Also,
NICK was actually selling an M-AUDIO FAST TRACK USB for $50. DO IT.

Ninja Mike 808 · Post by **Ninja Mike 808** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:59 am

Sloan wrote:DO IT.

Confirmed...