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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?

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?

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

Sloan wrote:DO IT.

Confirmed...