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I just recently got an MXL 770 and got a crappy Phantom power box and then got a bad noise and looked around and I found out I need an audio interface to mess with the fain etc, but I don't want to spend $50+ if possible and def not 65+. Do you have any recommendations? Also whatever you recommend keep in mind I used an XLR to USB to hook into my computer.

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pcrecord Tue, 02/19/2019 - 04:52

Hi Green and welcome to RO !

Anything below 99$ is crap to me but I may value quality more than you do.
I'd go with either the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 or the Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface.
Below that there is the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface, but it's almost saying you don't care, in my opinion.

Nonetheless, make sure you talk to the right side of the mic and that your mouth is between 6 and 9 inches of it. Being further away will need more gain (which will produce electronic noise on low quality preamps) and will pick up more of the room ambiance noises...

cyrano Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:23

Cheap and good will land you with a Behringer...

A UM2 will set you back 29 €. It has only one mic input and one instrument input:

https://www.thomann…

A UMC22 is a bit more luxurious and goes for 35€:

https://www.thomann…

BUT...

Those are 16 bitters, I believe. A bit limited in this day and age.

The cheapest one I'd get personally is the UMC202HD and it's 59 €

https://www.thomann…

It's got all you need, including 24 bit recording and two mic OR instrument inputs. Just a little more flexibility.

If you're allergic to the brand, there's also the Zoom U22, and it's even a € less!:

https://www.thomann…

There's also the new Tascam Ministudio Personal, but I personally don't like the looks of this thing at all. Looks "Toys R us". But it's only 48 €...

https://www.thomann…

pcrecord Wed, 02/20/2019 - 05:19

Green, post: 460450, member: 51538 wrote: XLR to usb to my computer

This is your culprid, XLR to USB units and USB mics are very bad..
The focusrite will definitly not add noise to the signal unless you push the gain higher than 75%. With the 770 and a good placement (close to the source) you shouldn't have to push the preamp much.

Althought there is 3 other things that can go wrong :

  1. the quality of the xlr to xlr cable
  2. if the 770 is defective.
  3. if your USB ports aren't giving enough DC power

Green Wed, 02/20/2019 - 06:01

pcrecord, post: 460452, member: 46460 wrote: This is your culprid, XLR to USB units and USB mics are very bad..
The focusrite will definitly not add noise to the signal unless you push the gain higher than 75%. With the 770 and a good placement (close to the source) you shouldn't have to push the preamp much.

Althought there is 3 other things that can go wrong :

  1. the quality of the xlr to xlr cable
  2. if the 770 is defective.
  3. if your USB ports aren't giving enough DC power

Okay, I'm sorry if I sound rude but, are you saying that the focusrite will get rid of the noise? If so do you recommend I get a Aux cord for the focusrite to my computer?

pcrecord Thu, 02/21/2019 - 12:21

Green, post: 460453, member: 51538 wrote: Okay, I'm sorry if I sound rude but, are you saying that the focusrite will get rid of the noise? If so do you recommend I get a Aux cord for the focusrite to my computer?

Look, you need to understand what is your audio chain component that is producing noise.
My first bet is your XLR to USB cable.. those are not very well built and more than often people are very disapointed..
So yes, if the noise is comming from this part, changing it to an audio interface will fix the problem.
The Focusrite will be connected in usb and will replace your internal sound card while in operation. Your soundcard mic input is the worst way to enter sound into your computer to record because it is made for very cheap computer mics. I would avoid using it.

Make sure you can return it if it's not working like you expect, but I thing the Scarlett Solo is one of your best option !

Please return to tell us how it went ! ;)