A Cheaper Alternative

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:34 pm

I hope this is the right forum...

Two or three years ago I bought myself one of these:

I never use it for effects anymore, so I keep considering selling it. The only problem is that I use it for recording - having a jack input and a USB output means I can plug in a half-decent microphone. Seen as this is the only part of it I use, I'm looking for a cheaper alternative, so I can sell my Zoom.

What would you recommend, Shortscale? Literally all it needs is a jack input and a USB output (or at least some way of plugging it into my computer), a headphone output would be helpful as well. I don't need professional sounding recordings, it's literally just for recording demos so my band can have a vague idea of what I want songs to sound like.

nondas · Post by **nondas** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:44 pm

I've heard ok things about the Line 6 POD Studio UX1. Basic mic and guitar input, headphone jack and USB.

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:46 pm

If you're just using it for vocals, you could pick up a USB condensor mic- can be had for like 40 quid and upwards. No need to demand a headphone output from the unit if your PC has a headphone jack anyway, right?

A little searching yielded the Micport Pro by Centrance- looks pretty spiffy, and can provide phanton power for condensors:

I was actually just recording some drums, and put the kick drum mic straight into my PC's mic input with the help of a XLR>1/4" lead and a 1/4" to minijack convertor. There's a bit of background noise, but on whole it worked great and is cheap as fook.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:52 pm

I usually mic up guitars as well, but a USB condenser could work for that.

What would a 1/4" to mini-jack converter look like? They have a wall of little things like that at a local guitar shop, I could have a look.

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:03 pm

Exactly like that, dude- easily picked up on Ebay for a few quid (where mine came from this very day, in fact).

Grab a mono one if you can, I'm not sure a stereo one is "wired" the right way to be used with mono sockets.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:07 pm

The Line 6 POD Studio UX1 seems to be not much less expensive than the Zoom thing I already use.

Thanks, Doog. I'll try and get hold of one of those converters, it sounds perfect!

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:16 pm

Nay probs- sometimes the simplest option is the best if you only really want basic functionality. Couple that with Audacity, and you've got yerself a budget recording setup!

kim · Post by **kim** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:18 pm

Doog wrote:
Exactly like that, dude- easily picked up on Ebay for a few quid (where mine came from this very day, in fact).

Grab a mono one if you can, I'm not sure a stereo one is "wired" the right way to be used with mono sockets.

yes ! ghetto !!

Post by **Doog** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:42 pm

Just like Mother Nature and Lemmy intended.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:59 pm

Doog wrote:
Exactly like that, dude- easily picked up on Ebay for a few quid (where mine came from this very day, in fact).

Grab a mono one if you can, I'm not sure a stereo one is "wired" the right way to be used with mono sockets.

i use a stereo one and works fine with my mic. only records one channel, but with a decent editing program, you can just mirror the channel and make L & R channels.

if you wanted to further said ghettoization.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:28 pm

i've been using one of these for a year or so now. it has a mic pre with XLR input and a line/guitar input too. has built in headphone amp with control on the front and USB out to your PC/Mac. you get a basic version of guitar suite or something like that and pro tool and ableton live. there about Â£40-Â£50 quid, though i might be selling this cheap.

George · Post by **George** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:31 pm

I got a Lexicon Lambda secondhand off ebay for Â£50

1 x High-Z guitar etc
2 x XLR both phantom
2 X ins
2 x outs
1 x midi (if anyone actually uses that anymore)

The problem is it's USB 1.1 so there's a delay unless you use direct recording around 36ms. It's not that much of a problem for me but if you're using programs like GuitarRig etc you won't be able to hear your tones on the fly. Also the preamps sound nice but are quite weak so you won't get much headroom, personally I like this because it gives stuff a lo-fi sound and you don't have to worry about picking up a cat's fart next door when using a condenser. Love it though, it's a great little pikey soundcard.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:11 pm

Progrockabuse wrote:though i might be selling this cheap.

dibs?

if freddy doesn't want it of course, it is his thread.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:17 pm

I didn't notice the new posts in this thread, sorry guys.

Prog, if you've still got that, and you're still wanting to sell it, I'm definitely interested. How much are you wanting for it?