Remember you get what you pay for, and you may regret this down the road. Based on what users are saying 0404 is a huge step up from 0202. Use google and do some digging on your own. Think about it for a week before you lay down the dough!
Thats the best advice I can give, now I ought to be preparing for my friends coming over for my party!
I hope you have fun recording soon!
iamfrobs Recording Org Pro Audio Forums
Joined: Apr 01, 2008
Posts: 285
Location: Western New York
Owning an AT2020, and using Snowballs at school, I would honestly say try the Rode.
_________________ "You gotta always remember the name of the game is what does it sound like? That's always the end result. I don't care if you got ninety tracks, what does it sound like baby?" - Ray Charles
jg49 Recording Org Pro Audio Forums
Joined: Oct 16, 2008
Posts: 932
Location: Frozen Tundra of CT
A little confused here. I went to the link that the OP provided, which is a PCI card. This accepts two 1/4"(unbalanced?) analog inputs, it would require I believe a mixer or preamp. It does not provide phantom power. If there is a stand alone USB E-MU with the same number then I was not aware of that and furthermore the mfg. ought to reconsider the way they number or name products as this could easily cause confusion among potential end users.
I think the cheapest way out is the Icicle, though I have absolutely no first hand knowledge of its performance or suitability other than the published specs.
Though this accomplishes recording with the ability to multitrack inside the computer, you would still need a decent set of closed back headphones so you could listen to previous tracks (almost silently) while recording additional tracks.
_________________ Mine is B flat because yours is A sharp
A little confused here. I went to the link that the OP provided, which is a PCI card. This accepts two 1/4"(unbalanced?) analog inputs, it would require I believe a mixer or preamp. It does not provide phantom power. If there is a stand alone USB E-MU with the same number then I was not aware of that and furthermore the mfg. ought to reconsider the way they number or name products as this could easily cause confusion among potential end users.
I think the cheapest way out is the Icicle, though I have absolutely no first hand knowledge of its performance or suitability other than the published specs.
Though this accomplishes recording with the ability to multitrack inside the computer, you would still need a decent set of closed back headphones so you could listen to previous tracks (almost silently) while recording additional tracks.
So your saying USB Icicle and Shure SM57 Mic, I'll look into that.
jg49 Recording Org Pro Audio Forums
Joined: Oct 16, 2008
Posts: 932
Location: Frozen Tundra of CT
From what I've read above a USB mic is no good because it would introduce a latency, I like writing backing tracks to music so recording while listening to one through headphones would cause the finished product to sound out of time, No?[/url]
Yes the two pieces of equipment you list here would fill all requirements, you would still need headphones.
USB mics would create latency issues. These can be resolved in Mixcraft by realigning the recorded tracks but this can be a tedious and exacting process.
jammster Recording Org Pro Audio Forums
Joined: Nov 30, 2008
Posts: 426
Location: Lake Ki-Chi-Saga, Minnesota USA
Sm58 > MXL Mic mate>Computer will work fine, phantom power does not interfere with dynamic mics. When I suggested the Icicle I was under the mistaken impression that this device offered monitor capability. It does not, which means you are back to square one (USB mics) in the area of latency issues.
The truly hard part about giving you advice here is establishing a quality standard. What I mean by that is, you are presently recording on a PC mic into a sound card. On a professional level and a scale of 1-10 you are at negative 3. In other words extremely poor. Therefore almost anything that is the least professional will be a big step up. On the other hand as you are a musician it might be like the difference between a plastic flute and a cheap metal one or a Selmer. Where do you draw the line? Now if you are a serious player, I would recommend getting the best flute you can afford because it will help develop your ear be easier to play, get better tone, and so on. So there is a cost/benefit ratio to be sure.
Simple explanation of latency. "Latency comes from the computer reading ahead for example "1024 samples" and storing these in ram, as one sample is played another is added to the buffer. When the computer is busy theres hopefully enough samples stored in the buffer/ram to keep playing uninterrupted. This creates a waiting queue and is the delay you hear. As you increase the latency you give the computer more time to process the audio and it may result in lower cpu usage as well." PcMus.
Latency is measured in milliseconds less than 10 or 12 ms is barely noticeable for the average person. When using buffers 512 samples or less your latency problem will probably be minimal. I have no clue what your computers capabilities are so there is no way to know if you will need a buffer this large or larger, but also note that the more tracks you are trying to play back and record over the more likely higher buffer sizes will be required.
If you use a "zero latency monitoring" interface it corrects for this, allowing you to hear playback and input simultaneously.
The other issue is when using the Mic Mate, Icicle, or standard USB condenser, you will have to monitor from your computers soundcard. This means thar during playback and mixing (adjusting previously recorded tracks) you will be relying on what you hear from a far less than ideal source. Once again an interface will give you at least a decent source for this even in inexpensive models.
One other choice is the G-Track USB Condenser/interface and optional shock mount. I think you would be happier with the SM58 which will have a higher resale value if you decide you do want to continue.
So only you can decide what "works" for you. Most of the people here will give you the advice to not buy crap. Garbage in = garbage out. Buy once, cry once, quality pieces will give years of service and better results.
I would suggest you spend at least $30.00 more than the items you mentioned and get at least something like this (or similar)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha/
and the SM58 either new or used. This series of mics is practically indestuctible and buying used is not a big concern.
Only you can make these decisions, good luck.
_________________ Mine is B flat because yours is A sharp
jammster Recording Org Pro Audio Forums
Joined: Nov 30, 2008
Posts: 426
Location: Lake Ki-Chi-Saga, Minnesota USA
Sm58 > MXL Mic mate>Computer will work fine, phantom power does not interfere with dynamic mics. When I suggested the Icicle I was under the mistaken impression that this device offered monitor capability. It does not, which means you are back to square one (USB mics) in the area of latency issues.
The truly hard part about giving you advice here is establishing a quality standard. What I mean by that is, you are presently recording on a PC mic into a sound card. On a professional level and a scale of 1-10 you are at negative 3. In other words extremely poor. Therefore almost anything that is the least professional will be a big step up. On the other hand as you are a musician it might be like the difference between a plastic flute and a cheap metal one or a Selmer. Where do you draw the line? Now if you are a serious player, I would recommend getting the best flute you can afford because it will help develop your ear be easier to play, get better tone, and so on. So there is a cost/benefit ratio to be sure.
Simple explanation of latency. "Latency comes from the computer reading ahead for example "1024 samples" and storing these in ram, as one sample is played another is added to the buffer. When the computer is busy theres hopefully enough samples stored in the buffer/ram to keep playing uninterrupted. This creates a waiting queue and is the delay you hear. As you increase the latency you give the computer more time to process the audio and it may result in lower cpu usage as well." PcMus.
Latency is measured in milliseconds less than 10 or 12 ms is barely noticeable for the average person. When using buffers 512 samples or less your latency problem will probably be minimal. I have no clue what your computers capabilities are so there is no way to know if you will need a buffer this large or larger, but also note that the more tracks you are trying to play back and record over the more likely higher buffer sizes will be required.
If you use a "zero latency monitoring" interface it corrects for this, allowing you to hear playback and input simultaneously.
The other issue is when using the Mic Mate, Icicle, or standard USB condenser, you will have to monitor from your computers soundcard. This means thar during playback and mixing (adjusting previously recorded tracks) you will be relying on what you hear from a far less than ideal source. Once again an interface will give you at least a decent source for this even in inexpensive models.
One other choice is the G-Track USB Condenser/interface and optional shock mount. I think you would be happier with the SM58 which will have a higher resale value if you decide you do want to continue.
So only you can decide what "works" for you. Most of the people here will give you the advice to not buy crap. Garbage in = garbage out. Buy once, cry once, quality pieces will give years of service and better results.
I would suggest you spend at least $30.00 more than the items you mentioned and get at least something like this (or similar)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha/
and the SM58 either new or used. This series of mics is practically indestructible and buying used is not a big concern.
Only you can make these decisions, good luck.
I've read the SM58 great great reviews and everywhere I read the LEXICON ALPHA STUDIO gets good reviews also, so after thinking about it over dinner (beef and spuds) I decided to go with your suggestion jg and I went for them both. order Placed now.
I'd like to thank everyone for there time and knowledge.
Its all here, I've spent the day playing with all the new hardware and software. I am having so much fun, the quality of the recording is far superior to anything I was getting before, Learning how to use Cubase is no easy task. My biggest problem now is trying to learn how to record each my different instruments, Does anyone here have any experience recording Flutes, Clarinets and or Saxophones?
Again, I would like to thank everyone who replied to my original question, I am very happy with my new set-up.
TheJackAttack Moderator
Joined: Mar 20, 2008
Posts: 1118
Location: currently Billings
Does anyone here have any experience recording Flutes, Clarinets and or Saxophones?
Yes. Techniques will vary depending on style of playing, solo or ensemble, room, mood, etc.
Its just me in my room, on my tod playing one of the instruments mentioned above. I think I know how to record a flute now, I'm struggling with the Sax and the clarinet now, the sax is very hard to record.
OK, I've made my first recording. Its an extract from a piece called "Eanach Dhúin" Now bear in mind this is my first recording and I still dont know where to position the mic to record a low whistle properly yet. http://ourvortex.net/ftp/Eanach%20Dh%fain.wav I played it on the Low Whistle (D) in this recording.
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